He slashed his arm through the air and gritted out, “And there it is! I knew you’d hol
d that shit against me. I told you.”
“I’m not holding anything against you. I’m just ready to go home now. You’re the one who’s acting like we’re fighting. I just want to go home.” She grabbed the top sheet, jerked it away from the mattress and held it over herself as she slid off the bed and began picking up her clothes.
“Elaina,” his voice subtly threatened.
“I’m going home Raul, even if I have to walk.” She turned her back to him and began slipping her underwear back on.
“This isn’t about you wanting to go home. This is about you getting your fucking way,” he blasted.
“Yes!” she screamed, turning around and mumbling, “finally, geez.”
He watched her dress and glared at her menacingly. “I could force you to stay,” he said in a heated threat under his breath.
She snapped her head up and a chill came over her features. “That would be a mistake.” Her eyes froze his in an impenetrable glare. “I promise you.”
****
Elaina had been too tired to do anything but fall into bed when Raul dropped her off the night before. But now, after several hours of uninterrupted sleep, she lounged back in the bathtub, and remembered the night before, as the warm water soothed her aching muscles.
He had pulled the truck up in front of her house and cut the engine. He turned to her, sifted his fingers through her hair and ran his eyes up and down her length.
When he spoke, his words were intent, questioning, trying to gauge her feelings. His fingers were gentle on her. “What do you want, baby?”
His eyes tangled with hers and she sucked in a breath at the naked emotion and blatant need in his voice. “That,” she answered him softly.
His fingers tightened. “Explain.”
She reached up and put her hand over his where it entangled her hair. “I want you to care about what I need—what I want,” she said.
“I do care,” he answered.
“I think you probably do, but it’s kind of hidden underneath what you think I need—what you want for me. What you want.”
“You’re saying I’m selfish?
“News flash, Raul. You are selfish.”
His cheekbones colored slightly. “Elaina—”
“I’m not saying you’re a selfish person—you’re not. I know you’re an incredibly good person. But when it comes to me—,” she stopped, looked down and cleared her throat, “for whatever reason—you want what you want and nothing and no one—including me—seems to be able to stop you.”
“Are you trying to blow me off?” his voice was sharp.
“No!” she exclaimed.
“Then what?”
“I need some distance—”
“You are blowing me off.”
“No—I’m not. Not even close. If I hadn’t made you bring me home tonight—I get the feeling that—this is going to sound stupid—I get the feeling you’d never let me leave.” Her voice came to a stop and she watched him silently watching her, interrogating her without saying a word.
He never tried to dispute her claim.
“This is serious shit, Raul. It’s not a game. I wouldn’t begin to know how to play games. You think I belong to you. That fast—I sleep with you one time and that’s it for you. Hell—you thought it before tonight. You’re going to trample all over me if I let you.”