My lips part. He’s right. I…didn’t.
“I…forgot about it,” I say, refusing to think it’s because of something else.
“I think you didn’t. Deep down, you didn’t want me to stop. You looked awfully disappointed when I did.”
“That’s not true!”
He reaches me in two steps and I try to crawl back, but I only end up pressed further against the tree as he stands in front of me and wraps his fingers around my jaw.
His touch is callous, untrained. He’s a beast of a man, a savage who probably doesn’t know how to touch anything without the ruthless energy that emanates off him in waves.
I brace myself for whatever violent threats or acts he’ll commit, but he hauls me to a standing position then releases me. “Follow me.”
“To where?” I stare at the stiff muscles of his back through his shirt.
“Do you know the way back to the house?”
“No.”
“Then walk.”
Oh.
I don’t know why a part of me thought he’d leave me in the middle of nowhere to fend for myself.
Once again, I wait for the panic attack that doesn’t come.
But I know I screwed up tonight.
I didn’t only trespass on private property. I might have trespassed into the devil’s lair.
My thoughts are confirmed when he stares at me over his shoulder, his eyes still in tune with the night, tapering and shimmering with that mystic darkness. If anything, they appear more unhinged. “Come back when you’re ready to be fucked properly.”
6
JEREMY
Idon’t believe in people.
They’re fickle, prone to mistakes, and have no clue what the fuck they’re doing most of the time.
They’re useless, tasteless, and shouldn’t pollute the air with their breaths.
This disdain I have for people has been inherent in me ever since I grew out of my child phase and gradually found out what the world is all about.
I also don’t believe in the strikes system. People don’t get two or three chances with me. One mistake and they’re out.
For good.
Anyone who crosses the line once will do it again if given the chance. It’s forbidden fruit, delayed gratification, and sought-after glorification. If they get one taste, they’ll be compelled to have another.
Then another.
And another.
Until they’re reduced to animals chasing their basic needs.
Giving them a chance to get close to the line, let alone cross it, is the personification of foolishness.