Not now.
Is it a stupid sense of pride? Something else?
While I can’t exactly put a name to it, I just don’t like it.
Kane must feel my aggression, because he shifts, his weapon of a body straightening as his eyes pin me in place. “You need to stop this line of thinking, Dahlia. I don’t consider it charity. I consider it taking care of you. All you have to do is accept it and quit getting your guard up.”
“I don’t know. Preston told me I’m just a charity case who will never make a full Vencor member, because only those of your standing are allowed in. So excuse me if I have my doubts.”
He faces me, his head tilting to the side, his voice dangerously low. “You believe Preston over me?”
I swallow the coffee trapped in my mouth, the sound echoing in the silence and only interrupted by the rustling leaves. “He seemed convincing.”
“Answer the question, Dahlia. Whose words are more important to you? Mine or Preston’s?”
I bite my lower lip but remain silent.
“If I say you’re not a charity case and Preston says you are, who do you believe?”
“You.”
“Then why do you stiffen every time I do something for you?”
“I’m not used to it,” I whisper, then lift my chin. “I’ve worked for everything I have, no matter how small it is. I don’t like owing others.”
“I’m notothers.” He wraps his large hand around my throat, not choking, but holding me in place. “You’ll get used to what I give you and take it without objection.”
My pulse throbs beneath his thumb and he watches it, his eyes darkening.
I feel as if I’m falling into his glittery trap again. After everything I did to convince myself I’m not as sick as he is. Even attempting to believe he forced me.
But one touch. One look. And I’m slipping again.
The feel of his skin on mine is electrifying and my body pulses to life, wanting more.
I’m apprehensive.
No. I’m terrified by how much more I want from a man like Kane.
So I focus on what keeps us apart, not what we have in common. “What about the rest of what Preston said? Am I wasting my time?”
Kane releases me with a sigh. “Those who get full membership are indeed of our social standing, and I can do nothing about that. I don’t make the rules.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?” My voice trembles. “Did you like toying with me?”
“I didn’t think you actually believed you’d make full membership. Surely you’re smart enough to understand how much vetting goes on in such organizations.”
A weight drops in my chest as a wave of hopelessness washes over me.
Yes, I knew it was hard, but I didn’t think it was impossible.
I take a large bite of my sandwich to keep from lashing out.
“Dahlia, be reasonable. That’s not a place you want to be in.”
I keep chewing and stare ahead. The sky is a soft gradient, pale blue bleeding into shades of pink and gold, and the first rays of sunlight cut across the horizon, igniting the edges of the town.
Kane raises a brow. “Is this the equivalent of leaving me on Read?”
