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Then he leaned close, kissing my ear before growling, “You didn’t watch long enough, babe. She kissed me, and I shoved her off. I was leaving to call you. And there you were, but you messed up.” His fingers were moving smooth and deep into me, grinding, holding, before continuing. But he paused again, as his voice came out ragged, “I don’t like threats, especially when they’re not earned. I’m changing the rules. This. What I can do to you?”
I was on the brink of coming. It was right there. A part of me wanted him to hold off, I wanted to draw this out, but the other part of me wanted to finish because I wanted him inside of me. I wanted him over me, filling me, taking me.
Then his fingers were gone, and I quaked in protest. A cry left my lips.
He smashed them, silencing me in a hard and punishing kiss right before he ripped away. “You want me? Tough shit. I own this. It’s mine any time I want, how I want. I could bury my dick inside you, no matter where we are, and you’d close around me. You’d pump me back because you want to know why?” His fingers slid back in, one smooth push in before pulling out. “Because you’re mine, and this ends when I say we’re done.” With that, he dropped me back down, and raised his fingers, and tasted them. He stared hard at me. “But I’m not done with you. Yet.”
My head was back to swimming, and goddamn, my body was aching. When I went back upstairs, everything was louder. Taz was in the kitchen, with Skylar and Zoe. Some of their other friends. Zoe saw me first, yelling my name. It sounded like she was shouting for me under water.
Then she was in front of me, her hand touching mine. Her eyes grew concerned. “Mara? Are you okay?”
I looked past her.
Gavin was there. Miles. Atwater. Other hockey players, and in the middle, leaning against one of the counters was Cruz. His eyes met mine. The music faded. Everyone else blurred to the background. It was just him and me, and I remembered the feel of him inside of me. How he looked at me, his eyes almost loathing.
“…you’re mine, and this ends when I say we’re done.”
He had that same look, the intensity burning my insides.
“Mara?” Zoe’s voice got through to me, pulling me back to the room.
I blinked, trying to shed some of my thoughts away. “Sorry. Yeah. I’m okay. Wait.” I reached for my phone, pulling it out. “Did you text?”
I heard her answering as I opened my messages, but her voice droned on, falling to a distance again.
I saw the texts.
Zoe: We’re here!! Where are you? We’re in the kitchen.
There were others, from earlier.
Unknown: Sweetie, honey. I know you said to leave you alone, but I’m in real trouble.
Unknown: You really need to give me the 50k. It’s not for me, Mara. It’s to save someone’s life. I would never lie about that.
21
CRUZ
Christ. Something was wrong. I could see it on her face.
I started for her, but she jerked away from her roommate. Her gaze found me, and I knew I’d be haunted by that look on her face. I had a hand in putting it there. I knew I did, no matter whatever she just read on her phone.
I cursed, going through the crowd for her, but she was gone before I could reach her.
“That was weird.”
I glanced to her roommate, who was frowning and looking at me before turning for her girlfriend.
I pulled my phone out, bringing her name up, and I hit call as I headed outside.
The phone rang. And rang. Then, “You’ve reached the voicemail of—”
I ended the call.
I didn’t know if she drove here or got a ride, but she was gone.
Fuuuuck. Fuck. Fuck!
I started to head for my room. I’d grab my keys, then look for her on the way to her place. My phone rang instead, at the same time I got a text alert.
Mom calling.
“Mom? Can I call you back in a minute?”
“Oh yes, but something amazing has happened! Be quick.”
I frowned, but read the text.
Mara: I’m fine. I’m going back to my place. If you decide you want me, then text me. (That was sarcasm if you needed it spelled out.)
22
MARA
I was halfway home before the headlights started behind me. It wasn’t long after that when his truck pulled up next to me, keeping track with me. The window rolled down. Cruz’s voice came next, “Get in the truck.”
“I’m fine.”
“Just get in.” He softened his tone. “Please.”
I gave him a look. “Please?” My head reared back. “What happened to ‘we’re done when I say we’re done?’ When you’re being all alpha and an asshole?”
His face was still in stone, but he readjusted his hold on the steering wheel. “I was pissed. You were acting like a jealous girlfriend, which we’ve both stated we don’t want.”
