about you,” he says hoarsely. “Maybe it started casual, convenient, but at some point it became more.”
“Not for me.” I step back. “I’m not trying to be cruel or heartless, but you crossed a line. Was this supposed to get my attention?”
“You wouldn’t take me seriously,” he says, sulky, petulant. “I want you, Lo.”
“Where do men like you get off thinking you can have anything you want? I want the photo down, or this becomes a legal issue. Also, I want any digital copies and the print hanging out there. I’ll leave delivery instructions.”
I’m done and ready for my night out. I head for the door, but Chase stops me, not turning me around, but grabbing both my arms so tightly I wince.
“That’s it?” he asks from behind me, grinding himself into my ass. “You think you can walk out and act like we never happened?”
He presses himself into me hard, flattening me against the door. My heart kicks me in the ribs. Sweat springs from my pores. A familiar but long-lost dread unfurls in my belly. I draw a deep breath.
“Let me go, Chase,” I say, calm, hoping he doesn’t smell my fear. “Or this gets worse for you.”
“Worse for me?” he asks with a heartless laugh. “You said you had things to figure out, but you’re giving it to him, aren’t you? You’re fucking that ballplayer.”
I force myself not to squirm, or try to free myself from his iron hold. Trying and failing to get free will only reiterate that I’m helpless. That he’s stronger. That I’m vulnerable . . . like before. Like that day. Dark spots appear before my eyes, and I blink in hopes of clearing them. Of refocusing.
“You’ve asked me before about the voodoo,” I rasp, hoping I’ve kept the panic from my voice.
He goes still behind me.
“Yeah, now I have your attention, you dickless bastard,” I spit. “Let me go, or I promise you pain. You think you can hurt me because you’re bigger and stronger?” I bark a humorless laugh. “That’s not power. I can make your life miserable for years to come in ways you cannot even imagine. One curse would do it.”
I turn my head and glare at him over my shoulder. “I swear it. Test me, Chase.”
In the silence, I can almost hear his thoughts churning, his fear rising to match and soar above mine as he remembers the herbs and amulets and stones in my apartment. Wondering what they’re for and what I’m capable of.
“Let me go,” I repeat, infusing my voice with returning confidence. “And I’ll leave instructions for you to deliver my photograph.”
His fingers loosen enough for me to wrench away and turn. I raise my knee and aim straight for his balls. They’re for show anyway. He crumples, his hands between his legs and his face wreathed in agony. I shove his shoulder so he falls on his back. He rolls over, his face all red and spotty. I stand over him.
“I want my photo,” I tell him, my voice hard. “And to answer your question about the ballplayer, you’re right.”
I squat down and find his pain-squinted eyes.
“He can get it.”
* * *
Kenan and I stand in front of the restaurant a few minutes earlier than we told his sister, Kenya, we’d meet her and her friend. The day is cooling some, but is still very warm. Too warm for the elbow-length sleeves of my top, but Chase’s rough handling left bruises on my upper arms. I don’t feel like answering questions, or talking Kenan out of beating Chase into a pulp. I have better things to do. Like see freaking Grip in concert!
I think the shirt looks fine, though. It’s black-and-white-striped, tightly molded to my torso and cropped above my belly button. I paired it with a black tulle skirt, flaring out and kind of flirty, and some comfortable red flats because . . . walking.
“You look so beautiful,” Kenan whispers, his cool breath fanning the hair at my ear.
“So do you.”
And I ain’t ever lied. He is . . . magnificent is my favorite way to describe him, and it still doesn’t properly convey the effect this man has on me. The towering height and the breadth of his chest and shoulders. The legendary arms that don’t bulge, but are roped with muscles and veins. And as tall as he is, he’s the slightest bit bowlegged.
I die.
Like, really, God? You had to put that cherry on top?
The mahogany skin. That striking face with jutting bones and onyx brows and piercing eyes, so dark and like a one-way mirror, seeing out but not letting you see in.
But he lets me see in. That’s probably the sexiest thing about him, and that is saying something. My man is fine.