Past Obsessions

Chapter 14 - Alex

My anger blazed—the nerve of some guy to dare touch what was mine. And her, she didn’t even sound that bothered, all of this and she hadn’t seen a thing. My mind raced in anger. I finished eating and then waited for her. Once she had finished, we made our way back to the car. I walked to the passenger side to open the door, and she climbed in as I leaned close to her.

“I meant what I said. I will rip apart anyone who so much as looks at what’s mine, and make no mistake, from the day we met, you’ve always been mine,” I whispered, my words so low they were barely audible but dripping with vicious intent.

I stood and slammed the door, a little harder than I’d meant to. I rounded the car, taking a moment to let myself settle before climbing into the driver’s side, inserting the key, and starting the engine.

“First time,” she grinned.

“Yeah, not sure why it’s been playing up. It’s you, you just fluster everything with your beauty,” I replied, that playful edge in my voice enough for her to look away to hide the twinge of red creeping through her cheeks.

We pulled out of the car park and back onto the motorway. I reset the GPS, and we drove. The countryside always amazed me; it was a reminder of how pretty our country could be. But from the driver's view, I barely had time to take it in. In my opinion, the British countryside was second to none.

By the time we hit the city, I had calmed significantly.

"I’m glad you reached out," I said with a soft smile. Despite the intensity of my earlier words, she was always at the heart of my actions.

“Me too. Thank you for last night, it was just what I needed,” she replied as I finally pulled onto her street and stopped outside her house. I climbed out of the car and walked around to her side, opening the door and helping her out. Moving to the boot, I retrieved her still-sodden clothes and handed them back to her.

As she moved to head inside, I caught her wrist, yanking her and turning her towards me. My hand found the back of her neck, pulling her into a kiss. The wetness from her clothes seeped through to my chest, but I ignored it, consumed by the moment with her. The kiss was deep, as if it might be our last, anticipating her possible panic in the hours to come.

"If you need time, I'll wait," I said, breaking the kiss.

"I don't," she replied, meeting my gaze with her hazel eyes. There was so much emotion in them, threatening to overflow.

“I love you, princess,” I said softly.

“I love you too, Daddy,” she responded, her voice soft, yet sincere.

I kissed her again, then reluctantly pulled away, keeping my eyes on her until she disappeared inside. Only then did I return to the driver's side, climbing in.

It felt like an eternity before I finally started the engine, my mind racing with thoughts. I flicked through the screens and started my playlist, filling the car with heavy rock music. Turning up the volume, I pulled away.

By the time I arrived, my home, my mind had sorted through most of my emotions. I pulled my phone from the stand and climbed out of the car.

"Hi, Alex," said the blonde woman who had followed me into the apartment complex.

"Hey, Jess," I replied, my tone light as I switched gears into the calm gentleman I portrayed for everyone else.

"You have a spring in your step, gone all night too, car needs a wash," she observed.

"Took a trip with the girlfriend, camping," I replied.

Jess looked rather despondent at that statement as she shifted uncomfortably before me. I had to admit it wasn’t intended, not because I didn’t like her, but because I had never considered us anything more than friends. We saw each other most days as we lived in the same building; her ex-boyfriend was the father of her kid and had caused a ruckus several months ago. I had intervened, and we’d spoken in passing since then.

"Oh, I didn’t know," she began.

"It’s… recent," I shrugged. "Hard to explain."

I reached my door and slid the key in, looking back to her. "I’ll catch you later. Have a good one, Jess."

I sighed as I closed the door, feeling awkward once again. Interactions with others in the building always left me uncomfortable. Glancing at my phone, I saw several messages from friends. I shook my head and responded, assuring them that I was fine and everything was okay.

"You'd think I'd died," I chuckled, tossing my phone onto the sofa as I headed for the kitchen. I made myself a sandwich and returned to the sofa, picking up my controller and turning on my game.

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but my concentration was snapped back to reality by that familiar text tone. Picking up my phone, I looked at the message.

ALICE: I’m sorry, I can’t do this.

A wry smile curled my lips; I knew it, I’d expected this. I rolled my shoulders, hearing the audible crack of bones adjusting.

ME: Do what?

ALICE: Us, again. I just can’t. I’m sorry.

The words stung. I felt the twist in my heart; I hated that weakness. She made me vulnerable. I looked at the clock: three hours, nine minutes. That might be a record, I thought, then returned my attention to the phone.

ME: You’re mine!

ALICE: Alex, it’s over!

My next text didn’t go through, and I growled in annoyance, tossing my phone down in frustration. Fine, if she wanted to play this way, then she’d see how serious I was. My defences were built so high that I was surprised emotions ever made their way through, but she had walked right through, and I had drowned in her. She was mine, and she would see that she wasn’t about to escape me again. If she wanted me to prove my love, then I would do whatever it takes.