Page 128 of Darkest Obsession

“You move like a goddess.”

“Now you’re laying it on thick,” she replies sternly and my heart nearly sinks, but I can tell from the smirk on her face that she appreciates the compliment.

Catching herself, her brow furrows again. “Did you sneak in here to tell me I dance like a goddess?”

“No. I brought you something.”

She bites her lower lip and glances at the dead sunflowers still sitting in a vase on her dresser. I tell myself she can’t bear to throw them away but really, she’s probably just forgotten them.

I reach into my pocket for the gift. I hope she likes it. Clover takes the small box from me, a suspicious look still on her face. She raises an eyebrow and opens it.

“Thomas!”

“Did I do something wrong again?” I grumble.

“No. It’s just… really fucking pretty.”

She slowly removes the solid gold bracelet with her name plate on it. Clover. Flanking her name are two four-leaf clovers made out of diamonds and the entire piece I had custom done, showing the jeweler I go to when I get stuff for mum some of Clover’s outfits so the bracelet matches her whole hip-hop vibe. She really pulls it off, honestly. I like her clothes. She’s different from other girls and in my world, you don’t get a lot of different. It’s alluring.

Her angry look fades away as she lifts it to her bedroom light and grins. It’s broad. Genuine. Yes… I haven’t fucked it for once.

“You worked really hard and I wanted you to have something special tonight.”

“It’s beautiful,” Clover whispers. I love listening to her smoky voice get all soft.

“So are you.”

She tucks the bracelet back into the box and then shuts it, running her tongue over her lower lip and furrowing her brow in deep consideration.

“I don’t know if I can accept this.”

“Why not?”

“Because… you’re going to want… I can’t have sex with you because you gave me a bracelet.”

“What the bloody hell are you talking about?”

Clover stares at me like I’m the stupid one. Then she rolls her eyes, which she normally does when she wants me to know that she thinks I’m a bloody idiot. I’m not letting her get away with pushing me this time. No way.

“I didn’t give this to you so you’d fuck me,” I tell her. “I like you, Clover. I want you to be my girlfriend. Someday. After my bruises heal.”

Naturally, she pushes against me.

“We’re going to date for like a week and then spend the holiday halfway across the world from each other. How does that make sense?”

“Nothing about you makes sense,” I reply.

Clover rolls her eyes. “Stop it.”

“Hasn’t anyone ever liked you before? Hasn’t any guy tried to court you? I’m not giving you the bracelet for sex. I’m impressing you.”

Clover puts the box on her desk. At least she’s keeping it.

“Impressing me?”

“Yes,” I snap. “That’s what men do when they like a girl. Hasn’t any guy ever tried to work for you?”

I don’t mean for it to sound so cruel and I know I shouldn’t let her get under my skin. That’s what she wants – she wants me to prove that I’m just a monster who wants to get into her pants. I’m not just that. I also care. Clover’s still glaring when she responds.