“If you want to talk about anything, I’m a good listener…” She hesitates. “Is something wrong at home?”
Is she digging for information, trying to find out if my marriage is in as much trouble as she thinks it is? She pretends to be concerned, but she’s been chasing me for so long that I’m not buying it.
“I told you, everything is fine. Now if you’ll excuse me, I really need to go.”
Gathering up my things, I stalk over to the door and push past her. I need to get the hell out of here and figure out what I’m going to do.
I need to sort this shit out now, before it gets any worse.
CHAPTER12
CHLOE
Only hours ago, he’d been fucking me like an animal in the supply closet. Now school’s over, and I’m sitting on the hood of his car, waiting for him. He finally comes walking out, his steps faltering when he notices me. I flash a sweet smile and wait as he picks up the pace like he’s in a hurry. My heart thumps as he rushes toward me, his features betraying his anger.
Amusement fills me, along with a flash of fear and an unexpected excitement. I’ve already done the hard part in getting him to sleep with me. What comes next is bound to be a whole lot of fun. I don’t have to worry about this working anymore, because I have him right where I want him.
“Give me a ride, Mr. Reed?” I’m asking, but I’m not really asking.
Arching an eyebrow that implies I’m not talking about him taking me home in his car, he gets the message as rage fills his expression. He unlocks the car, and I grin before getting in the passenger seat. When he’s beside me and the doors are closed, he turns the engine over and pulls out of the parking lot and heads toward the hotel.
He turns to face me.
“How long is this going to go on for?” He sounds scared and upset, but mostly angry.
I lift my shoulders, keeping my tone light and easy. “For as long as I say it will.”
Dropping my head back onto the headrest, I turn to look at him. “And don’t pretend you don’t love it as much as I do. I’m helping you live out your fantasies while you get to pretend you don’t have a choice.” My tone dares him to call me a liar.
He glares at me a moment, then lets out a sharp laugh. “God, you’re delusional.”
Anger flares through me. I’m not a fucking psycho. I’m not delusional. How fucking dare he say something so shitty and manipulative? I open my mouth to respond, but he’s not done talking.
“Chloe, if this is a cry for help, I can help you.”
What the fuck is he saying?Helpme? I wanted his help all those years ago. Now, the only way he could possibly help me is by fucking killing me. He could roll my body in a gutter so I could finally be out of my misery, so I can finally stop wondering why I’m alive and others who are supposed to be aren’t. Hell, the only thing that’s stopped me from killing myself already is Jake and the need to keep him safe.
But I’m sure as hell not going to tell Sam any of that.
“I don’t need your help,” I hiss, my emotions getting the better of me. “All I need is for you to do whatever the fuck I tell you to do, until I decide otherwise.”
“Then tell me why you’re doing this. Explain it to me, Chloe, so I can understand.”
“You don’t get to understand,” I erupt, on the verge of tears. “Just take me back to my hotel.”
With a defeated sigh, Sam nods and heads to the hotel. Neither of us talk the rest of the way, though I get the feeling there is more he wants to say to me. I’m not even in the mood for sex now, which was my intention in asking him to drive me home.
Turns out that’s a good thing, because as he pulls into the parking bay out the front of my room, I see Jake hovering outside the room next door. My heart races. How can he be so stupid to be out in the open like that? I pray to God that Sam won’t notice him and somehow, he doesn’t.
“Thanks for the ride,” I mutter, not even looking at him.
Opening the car door, I clamber out as quickly as possible and slam the door shut after me, then I bolt toward my room as Sam skids off.
“What are you doing out here?” I snap at Jake, scanning the area to make sure Sam has gone. I grab Jake’s arm and drag him inside, aware something’s up with him. It’s like he’s spooked.
“Why were you with him again?” Jake mutters, glaring out the window, his gaze on something I can’t see. “I thought the job was done.”
I hug him. “Don’t worry, everything is fine. I’m just being thorough. Pretty soon it’ll just be the two of us again.”