Past Obsessions

Chapter 13 - Alice

I felt those words rip through me, from my ears to every nerve, like a wave of fire. I had never heard him so vicious, so calculated. This was a different Alex, darker than I'd ever known. My heart lurched. Should I be afraid of him? Maybe I should have run before getting in too deep again, but it was already too late. And if I'm honest, this is what I wanted. I'd told him countless times. And now here he was, the predator, teeth bared and dangerous, and I the trapped prey. But I didn't care. He could do as he wished. I was his, as deeply and violently as he loved me, I loved him too.

My whole body was tense now, not with fear of his threat, not even fear of him, but with anticipation of what would come next, of the side of him that I had long yearned for. I had been warned that this Alex existed, that he was capable of being vicious and ruthless, that given the chance, he could destroy me. God, I craved him to do just that.

I noticed his grip on the wheel tighten. Something was on his mind, but I couldn't help but smile.

"What?" he asked, his voice cutting through me once more.

"Nothing. I've just never seen you like this before, baby," I replied, my voice trembling with desire.

"Get used to it. You finally get what you want," he replied, his eyes flicking to mine briefly before returning to the road. The engine growled as he turned off into the service station, then smoothly swung into a parking bay.

"You're a good driver. I'm actually impressed."

"Well, if learning to drive was all it took to impress you, I'd have done it sooner," he chuckled.

"Now, breakfast?" He stepped out of the car, taking the keys with him, then walked around to open my door. I hesitated a moment before sliding out.

"It's cold," I muttered. He gestured for me to wait, then opened the boot once again, returning a few minutes later with his jacket. He draped it around my shoulders, and I wondered if it was an act of care or another way of asserting his possession over me. My mind raced with that thought. He could have fetched my jacket, though it was likely soaked after spending the night on the roof in the rain. At least it had stopped raining now.

He wrapped his arm around my waist and guided me across the car park. The way he held me, walked in stride—this wasn't his usual demeanour. Holding my hand and leading me, as if to announce to the world that we were together, that I belonged to him. I noticed a man glancing at me, but he quickly looked away when Alex shot him a glare so dark, I realized his threat was more than empty. This time, he would hold onto me with every ounce of that dark intensity within him.

We entered the fast-food restaurant, and without asking, Alex ordered breakfast for me—again, I was amazed by his memory—and I leaned into him. We found a table by the window, and he handed me a drink. I stared out at the cars in the parking lot for a moment.

"You OK, Princess?" There it was, Alex, making sure I was alright, despite his cruel and dark demeanour, he was always concerned about me at the core.

"Mhm," I replied, taking a long sip. He had already peeled back the lid of his cup, clearly disliking paper straws. They went soggy, and he hated that, opting instead to drink directly from the cup. Another of his quirks.

Minutes later, our food arrived. Alex divided it up, and I started eating. Soon, I needed the bathroom and excused myself. I was certain his eyes never left me as I went. When I emerged from the restroom, a young man stood there.

"Hi," he said softly. "My friend really likes you and asked me to give you his number." The young man, probably in his mid-20s, offered me a piece of paper with a number written on it.

"Thanks, I think," I replied. No sooner had the words left my mouth than I heard that dark growl. Quickly looking up, I saw Alex

standing just a few feet away, my heart skipped and hammered with a fear response, perhaps—God, this was intoxicating.

"You can tell your friend to f**k off and keep his eyes off MY girl," he spat with a venomous edge. Jesus, that word, the tone, the snarl—it sent a shiver through me. I couldn't deny how it made me feel.

"He can make his own mind up. Sheesh, what's with the old guy?" the boy retorted. I stepped between them, unsure of just how Alex would react. The moment I did, his arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me close. The young man looked at us with curiosity. "You're with the old guy? Really?"

"He's my daddy," I said firmly and to the point. I didn't want anyone else. I enjoyed the attention, but this side of Alex scared me, and yet, I found myself liking it.

The man rolled his eyes and walked past us, muttering something about Alex being too old for such a good-looking girl and me being wasted. Alex released his grip and returned to our table. I quickly followed to sit opposite him. I turned the piece of paper over in my hand before tossing it onto the tray.

"Not going to text him?" Alex's tone was dangerous.

"Of course not, Daddy. Why would I?" I replied. There were many ways I wanted to respond, a part of me wanting to test him, but today wasn't the day. I wanted him to see that I understood, that I wanted only him, but it would take time; I knew that.

"Hmm." His response sent a jolt through me, my heart stung by that cold and dismissive nature. How could he do that? Crush me so swiftly? I looked back at my food and continued eating. Whatever game he was playing, I wondered if he was out to hurt me, the way I'd hurt him.

Two men walked past us, clearly talking about Alex, who shot them a glance so venomous I thought they might drop dead if looks could kill. The second man tried to touch my hair, but Alex caught his hand.

"Did your mother teach you to keep your f*****g hands to yourself? And I'm the creep? f**k off before this gets any more awkward." I wasn’t sure what it was that unnerved him, but he suddenly looked genuinely afraid. As Alex released him, I noticed marks on his arm. Had Alex gripped him that hard? I knew that grip, and it could genuinely hurt. The man quickly followed his friend, leaving us alone once more. "f*****g prick," Alex muttered.

"Wow... fuck..." I murmured, "That was... wow..." I couldn't believe how one act had me so flustered. It was the hottest thing I'd ever seen him do, surpassing even his more athletic days. That was an act; this was pure dominance. Alex Kensington had seemingly become the nightmare I'd so desperately desired.

"You're mine, do you hear me?" he stated firmly, his gaze softening slightly, though the edge in his words remained.

"f**k, those f*****g words," I thought, my emotions a mix of fear and excitement. He could take me right there, and I'd obey, not because he was dominant, but because I wanted that, needed him to take me right through that dark door he kept locked. He could destroy me, and I would gladly let it happen. The thrill of him in that moment was everything to me. I nodded in response to his words; it was all I could do, that and squeeze my thighs together in discomfort.

"Finish your breakfast, Princess, then we should get you home," he said, his words softening along with his expression. The darker Alex retreated; I was almost disappointed. But then he loved me, and as dominant as he was, he always took care of me.

I returned to my food, my mind racing through the events of moments ago. Where had that come from? Had this side always been there? Why show it now? I had much more to learn about the man I thought I knew better than anyone. This was the Alex everyone else feared; they ran from him. I wanted to run to him.