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Drew’s eyes shift back to me, and I glance at him. As soon as our eyes meet, a bolt of electricity rips through me.
Why, after everything he put me through, does my body still react to him like this?
Like there’s this visible string attaching us to one another. It’s further confirmation that no matter how hard I try to escape him, I’ll always be pulled back into his web.
"I’ll see you around, Flower.” Drew smirks.
“It’s time to go, Bel,” Sebastian orders, then grabs me by the wrist and starts tugging me back toward the front of the library. For a moment, I’m frozen, unable to respond, but when my brain catches up with my body, I do. I sink my heels into the carpet, forcing him to slow. Then I wrench my arm free of his grasp and take a wobbly step back.
Who does he think he is?
He turns on me, and his eyes bleed with anger, showing me little pieces of a person I haven’t seen in a while.
“Don’t treat me like that,” I whisper.
“I didn’t treat you like anything. I’m protecting you, Bel. Drew is bad fucking news, or did you forget all about that because he made you come?”
I don’t think. All I do is react.
My hand lands against his cheek before I can even stop myself. A red-hot spark of pain flares through my palm, and Sebastian appears just as shocked as me, his features hard as stone.
Tears burn at the back of my eyes. “I… I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry, it’s just…”
“Stop,” Sebastian demands. “Don’t apologize. I’m a dickhead for saying that.”
“No. It’s not okay. I don't like that I hit you. I’m not that person, the one who leans into violence. I’m sorry.”
A devilish smile tugs at his lips, but I can’t see anything but that red mark on his cheek.
“I don’t think you know what you’re capable of, Maybel. I don’t think you see your real power, nor do I think you’ve reached your full potential.”
“Well, what I do know is that I’m not a violent person. Mom taught me better than that.”
“I don’t think you are either, but violence is needed sometimes. Sometimes you have to protect yourself. Sometimes the spoken word means nothing. What’s that saying, actions speak louder than words? It’s no wonder a baseball bat to the knees or fist to the eye leaves a much bigger impact than saying, don’t do that again.”
I shake my head and return his grin, the tension easing between us.
“That escalated quickly.”
“Hey, I’m not saying I know from personal experience…”
“Sure you don’t.” I roll my eyes. “Let me get my books and bag, and then we can leave.”
Sebastian gestures for me to lead the way, and I do. He follows me, his presence more like a shadow. We enter the main room, and I find all my belongings in the same spot. I stack them up and shove them into my bag while he stands beside me, his hands in his pockets.
“How did you know he would be here?” I ask quietly.
“The guard called it in. Said he was asking about you. I should’ve known the first chance he got to see you without me there, he’d take it… but for some reason, I thought he might use the last two remaining brain cells in his head to make a better choice.”
All I can do is nod. I should’ve known too and expected it really. Drew’s been trying to see me every day since I came home from the hospital. I suppose I was naive to think he’d give me one day of peace.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Drew walking toward the front doors. As if someone dipped my skin in gasoline and lit a match, my entire body warms at the reminder of his presence. I’m drawn to him.
I want to drown in his darkness and let him breathe life back into me.
With everything put away, I start toward the door, my arms wrapped around my middle and my coat tucked between them. The cool air makes it easier for me to think, and my clouded thoughts appear in a new light.
I can’t believe I let him touch me. Again.
