Chapter TenChandlerMy whole body throbs with a need like I’ve never felt before. I don’t know if I want to scream or cry. One thing I do know is that Berkley wants me. What I don’t understand is why he is pushing me away. One second I think he’s looking at me as if he wants to eat me alive and the next he’s running for the hills. The mixed signals he’s sending me are making me crazy.
I reach up and touch my lips, which are still tingling from the way his mouth took mine. He’d held me so tight to him. I’d felt every part of his body against mine. Especially when I was in his lap with his erection rubbing me where I needed it the most.
I’d felt sexy and delicate at the same time. The sounds that came from him had me being bolder as I tried to take what I’ve wanted for so long. Until he took it all away. Now I’m sitting here alone again with my head spinning because of Berkley. Did he really think he could kick me out of my own house? My brain can’t even begin to process what he’d been thinking.
When I hear the timer in the kitchen going off, I have no choice but to leave my bedroom. I still can’t believe that I fled to my bedroom simply because he barked an irrational order at me. Yet, I didn't miss my body’s reaction to his order either. It didn't matter that it wasn't a sexual one. I wanted to do it because he told me to. I shake my head, not even understanding my own thoughts at this point. That boy has me all twisted up.
I flip off the sauce when I enter the kitchen. Raviolis are Mom’s favorite, and they are super easy to reheat and still taste great. I lean against the counter, wondering what I should do next about Berkley.
Nothing. I’m not going to chase him around. That’s not the girl that I want to be. I already put myself out there, and he pushed me away. Not to mention he didn’t even bother to be nice about it. I refuse to be one of those girls I always see following Davis around with puppy dog eyes. Could I already be one and not know it? I groan, praying that I’m not that far gone already.
I snatch my phone off the table, needing some air. I open the backdoor and am about to flip on the light but pause when I see Berkley standing outside. The backyard is lit up by the full moon. He’s still here. I guess he could have left and come back. I drop my hand from the light switch, taking a step outside.
“Are you okay?” I ask. He lets out a humorless laugh at my question.
“Take the laptop.” He points to the laptop sitting on one of the chairs on the back patio area. I shake my head no. “Take the laptop.” He growls out the words this time while taking a step closer to me. Earlier, when I’d teased that he was the reason my computer broke, it was partially true. It was his fault I had to go to such extremes to get some alone time with him.
“Why do you care so much?”
“You need it.”
I stand there not saying anything. “Syracuse is not coming over here,” he bites out as once again he takes another step in my direction.
“Why?”
“You know why.”
I think I do. He’s jealous. At least that’s what I am hoping. If that is the case, then it has to mean something. I want to hear him admit it, though, so I shake my head no again. “He’s fucked half the girls in our school.”
“Are you sure? I haven't been counting but that seems excessive.”
Berkley grabs the back of his neck, giving it a squeeze, something he does when he’s getting pissed about something. “You’ll take it.”
I suck in a breath at the edginess in his tone.
“Okay.” I give.
“Okay?” He gives me a look of disbelief.
“Yeah, okay. But—”
“And there it is. I knew that was too fucking easy.” He drops his hands to his sides. “Give me the but.”
“I want to ask you three questions.” I hold three fingers up, wiggling them. “And you’ll have to answer them truthfully for me to keep the laptop.”
“Deal,” he says instantly. I wonder if he realizes he’s slowly moving closer and closer to me. “Give me them.”
“Did you call me sweetness on the phone the other day?”
“Yes.” He doesn't miss a beat but also doesn't give me more. I lick my bottom lip.
“Do you want me?”
“More than my next breath.” I reach up, putting my hand on my chest. I swear my heart just fluttered.
“I don’t understand.”
“That’s not a question, Chandler.”