“So what exactly did I manipulate you into doing because, as I remember, you begged for it every time I touched you?”
“I don’t deny the physical, Dasher. I wanted you, but it was my heart you toyed with. That summer was the best time of my life. You made me feel so many things I never thought I would experience because of who I am. My taste in clothes and the way I wore my hair didn’t stand a chance, and I accepted that until you. But then our summer ended and the truth showed me the real you was far worse than I feared. You took something from me that I’ll never get back and I’m not talking about my virginity… But if I have to explain it to you, then you really don’t know what our summer meant. Your feelings for me, Dasher Chambers, is nothing more than your bruised ego wanting to mend your pride with lust. I’m not an all you can eat buffet. You can’t just take from me until you’re satisfied.”
*
My attempt to make her feel small in the car backfired and I was the one left confused. The truth is I did toy with her heart during our summer together but while I toyed, I fell. Hard. No amount of apologies and promises could see me past my lie. Angel had swept me off my feet so quickly that I can’t even recall when it was no longer a ploy and became the real thing.
It could have been the first time of many when she had called me a narcissistic prick, or the first time I kissed her lips, touched her hand, smelled her hair, or watched her sleep. I have no clue because when it happened it felt natural as if I loved her my entire life.
My decisions led us here. After a year of fighting for her affection, four years living without her, and a week of stumbling and fighting, I was no closer to making her mine than I was when I first approached her on campus.
We had arrived at my apartment minutes after she put me in my place and because I couldn’t stand the silence, and because she fucked me up so bad, I did the unthinkable. I agreed to dinner with Rosalyn, who would likely make it into a romantic occasion. I wanted Angel to suffer so I made sure she knew exactly where I was going and who with. I wanted her to wonder while I was with Rosalyn. I wanted her to share my frustration. She was hell bent on returning to her life without me, and I couldn’t help but wonder what or who was worth leaving me for… again.
No matter my wrongs, I kept coming back to that. It was as Keenan had said—she was the one who got away.
“Dash, darling, come in. Rosalyn is just putting the finishing touches together. You can never look too good for your future groom.”
“Good evening, Mrs. Cordell.”
“Oh, stop and call me Mom.”
Yeah, fucking right.
She placed kisses on my cheek and I resisted the urge to scratch at the crawling sensation. Her father came out of his study and did the customary slapping on the back and shaking my hand.
“My boy, how do you like heading a multi-international company. The power really gets you going, doesn’t it?”
I faked my way through the pleasantries, but after ten minutes of waiting, I was ready to turn around and beg for Angel’s forgiveness. Just as I was ready to put thought into action, Rosalyn strutted down the stairs in a tight red number. The color somehow looked gaudy on her. Or maybe Angel just ruined the color for me on any 0ther woman.
Her heels clicked on the marble as she sashayed up to me with a grin meant to be seductive but came across as leery. I mustered the will not to roll my eyes. “Hello, lover,” she whispered while sliding her hands up my chest.
“Now that’s just incorrect.” I lowered my voice so only she could hear. “I haven’t touched you in years.”
“We can fix that little problem tonight if you’re a good boy.” I silently made a vow to be on my worst behavior.
“Don’t you two just make a beautiful couple? I have full confidence that you’ll make the most beautiful children.”
“One agenda at a time, Mother. I need to get his ring on my finger first.”
“You mean your ring? No doubt you’ll pick it out yourself.”