Between Now and Heartbreak - Dylan Allen Page 0,87
over to the bed.
“I should call the police, Duke. What the hell are you doing?”
I eye my open window with disgust.
Fuck this old house and, it’s stupidly easy to open, windows.
“I was just fucking with you. And you asked me to come.” Duke’s handsome face is contorted and flushed, he bends over to examine his foot muttering to himself.
“I asked you to call me back, not show up unannounced.”
He sighs like my question exhausts him, but a sly smile spreads across his ludicrous, lying lips.
“I wanted to see you in person. I’ve missed you.”
“Why? Is Georgia’s mouth busy?”
He laughs and crosses his arms over his chest and shakes his head like he feels sorry for me.
“I’m here now. Say what you wanted to say.” He stands and saunters over to me. He cups my chin and turns my face up to his.
He scans my face, with the same dispassion I use when I’m eyeing a piece of fruit at the grocery store and I’m trying to determine if it’s ripe enough for me to take home. I know he’s already decided I’m at the peak of my prime and he’s plucked me. Now, he’s just inspecting his choice and admiring himself for conquest.
My skin prickles and I all I can think, the only thing I’ve been able to think for a long time, is how wrong Duke feels. And not just physically, but it’s like my soul has rejected him.
His hand slips from my chin and glides down the side of my neck to rest on my shoulder. My body hums, like one of those old wind up timers right before it goes off. I step back and out of his reach.
His eyes narrow, but he doesn’t make an attempt to come any closer.
“I know what happened was embarrassing for you and I promise I’ll be more discreet in the future,” he says with as much contrition as I’m sure he feels – zero.
“I can’t do this. I really thought I could. But, there is so much wrong with us.”
He leans back like I slapped him.
“Are you kidding? No two people have ever been better suited. This town is full of idiots. And we’re about to be rich and unstoppable. Your father just wants this one term as governor. He’s grooming me to run after him. Just imagine how much influence you’d have if you were my wife. We need to stick to our plan.”
I can’t hide my horror at how resolute he sounds.
“You’re not ready to have a girlfriend, much less a wife. And you have that job at Wolfe now. Once my father announces you as his successor he can hardly take it back. Let’s just agree to go our separate ways.”
“What the hell are you talking about? I don’t want his job. I need that money.” He steps closer to me and grabs my hands, squeezing them tightly. “And tonight, we’re going to announce that we’re back together. Our plan is moving ahead.“
I pale and try to tug free.
“What if I don’t want it to?”
His eyes grow frantic before he drops my hands as if they’re burning him. He turns his back on me, and I feel a flare of guilt. I’m pulling the rug out from beneath him. All of his prospects must feel like they’re slipping away.
“Duke, don’t you want to find someone you love? Or at least someone who loves you?” I ask him and hope that he’ll be as honest as I’m trying to be.
He turns back to face me. His eyes bright and glazed over.
“We don’t have to be in love. We don’t have to be faithful. We just have to be committed.”
I shake my head.
“Committed to what? Certainly not each other.”
“The money.” He looks at me like I’m daft.
“This can’t all be about money, can it? Is it really enough to put ourselves through this sham? It’s not for me.” I raise an eyebrow.
He looks away and shoves his hands in his pockets.
“I need that money. It’s the only way I’ll ever be able to show my father what I’m capable of.”
“How does marrying me and my money show him that?” I ask, bewildered by his logic.
“I have plans for that money.” He says through gritted teeth. I can see I’m not moving him at all. But I don’t give up. I need him to agree.
“Is this about him?” His voice is dark now. The sneer in his voice cuts through the tension around us.