“Sierra, what—”
“I’m curious.” My gaze pierced him, unblinking, emotionless. “What did they promise you to get you to go through with the act?”
He scoffed. “I don’t know what you-”
“Please, don’t insult my intelligence.” With a shake of my head, I held up a hand. “So, what did you get? We both know perfectly well you wouldn’t do anything without gaining some kind of advantage.”
David clenched his jaw so hard that I thought I heard his molars grind. The tight pull of his mouth erased whatever charm he had left; his features twisted into something sharp and sour.
“You were obviously too stupid to realize what was going on. How anyone can fail to realize their boyfriend isn’t into them is beyond me.” He sneered.
That one stung a little. Not because I still had feelings for him, but because I was pissed at myself for falling for it. I’d chosen to ignore the red flags, and I loathed the kind of person I’d become in the wake of this decision.
Never again.
“Thanks for the confirmation.” I hissed.
“Why else would I have bothered with you? Because you’re such a delight to be around? Because you spread your legs so willingly?” His mouth pulled sideways, equal parts amusement and disdain.
A flush of anger rose to my cheeks, but I forced myself not to show any outward reaction. That miserable little rat.
With deliberate slowness, I arched my eyebrows and scrutinized him from the tips of his toes to the crown of his head until our gazes met.
“Don’t flatter yourself. You weren’t a distraction. You were a speed bump.Barelyfelt it.” I uttered the words slowly, as if I was twisting a knife.
“Right,” he laughed, disdainfully. “She wasn’t the only one, you know. The one you caught me with? If you hadn’t been so stupidly blind, you would’ve noticed it sooner. But I figured, if you wanted to turn a blind eye so badly, who was I to force you to face it?”
My smile was saccharine. “Yeah, that’s on me. I should’ve expected it. But don’t worry, I’ll return the favor.”
David gave a slow, lazy shrug, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Try me. Do your worst.” He chuckled, low and dismissive, like I’d just threatened him with a paper cut.
I tilted my head and gave him my coldest smile before striding toward him. He took a tiny step back, as if I were about to attack him, but I simply paused when we were on the same level.
“Oh, I will.” My words were soft, but he stiffened as if they’d been a physical blow. The silence was deafening.
Satisfaction rushed through me, warming my chest. I’d rattled him, and for the moment, that was enough. Because I wouldn’t give up.
Let him keep pretending he was untouchable. Dead ends had a way of looping back around, whether he liked it or not.
Sixteen
Dom
I was too early. Not something that happened very frequently. I drummed on the leather of my steering wheel, anxiety coiling deep inside of me, as my phone buzzed.
Ella: Sorry, I’m running a bit behind.
Me: No problem.
Of fucking course. That one time I needed her to be on time.
The sticky heat clung to my skin as I shut the truck door, the faint hum of cicadas buzzing somewhere nearby.
The anticipation was eating me up. I justhadto know; I couldn’t wait another minute. My stomach somersaulted as I headed toward the apartment building.
Could I be this fucking lucky?
I bounded up the concrete stairs, two at a time, my breath coming quick but shallow—not from the climb, but from anticipation. My heart was hammering against my ribcage, my fingertips tapping restlessly against my thigh.
