Free Magnetic (New Adult Contemporary Romance) by Ayr Bray Page B

flowers.
    “ Well, aren’t you going to put them in some water?” he asked.
    Turning her back to him, she quickly sought out the same pitcher she had placed Darren ’s flowers in and filled it with water. She heard her door click closed and Mark move around the room.
    “ Cozy little place you have here. I bet the rent’s cheap.” Samantha just nodded as he sat on the couch and made himself comfortable. She stood in the kitchen arranging the flowers, staying as far away from him as possible. Her mind counted down the minutes until Darren would return.
    “ I think those flowers look great, why don’t you come over here and sit by me.”
    “ Um …,” her mind raced for any excuse not to have to sit next to him “I think I should trim the stems. The fresh cut will allow the flowers to soak up more of the water, and last longer.” She reached into the utensil drawer and pulled out a pair of kitchen scissors and began the task of trimming the stems.
    “ No, they are fine. Just set them on the table and come over here,” he demanded.
    Samantha took her time putting the scissors away and cleaning up her little mess, not immediately going over to sit down.
    “Samantha, I told you to leave them. Get your ass over here.” His voice was raised and becoming increasingly more menacing. Mark patted the couch next to him with a sinister smile that sent fear to her heart. She walked over and sat down on the far end of the couch, as far away from him as possible. Her posture was rigid, she was afraid and unsure.
    “ There now, isn’t that better?”
    Samantha nodded her head.
    Mark shifted in his seat turning his leg towards her. “See, I knew we would get along great.”
    She nodded again, not daring to speak.
    “From the moment I saw you in our American History Lecture, I knew we were meant to be together. I think we will date all of this year, perhaps next year too, then our junior year I will officially ask you to marry me. I have it all planned out. Right after graduation our senior year we will get married. What do you think? Sounds like a great plan, doesn’t it?”
    Samantha was aghast, no it didn ’t sound like a great plan, it sounded more like hell. Samantha couldn’t say anything. There was no way she was going to agree with him, but she didn’t want to provoke him either.
    “ Well, aren’t you going to say anything?”
    “ It sounds like a very nice plan Mark, but I am sure there is a better girl out there for you.”
    “ Nonsense, you are perfect.”
    “ Thank you for the compliment, but I assure you I am not.”
    “ That just means you’re human. Hell, nobody’s truly perfect, but the truth is that I think you’re perfect for me.”
    “ Mark, that really is kind of you, but I just don’t feel the same way.”
    Anger flashed across his face for a split s econd, had she been looking anywhere else, she may not have seen it, but just as quickly as it appeared it was replaced with a serene, confident smile. He scooted over on the couch, towards her, and then placed his arm across the back where she was sitting. When his fingers settled in her hair she jumped up, “Mark, I really think you should go now.”
    “ Why? I just got here.”
    “ It’s late, and I’ve had a long week, I need to get some sleep. Please leave.”
    He leaned back on the couch, stretching out his long legs in front of him, crossing them at his ankles. He laced his fingers behind his head, and with a voice seeped with disdain he replied, “No, I think I’ll stay a little longer.”
    Samantha looked around for anything she could use against him. The only thing n ear her was the flowers. She reached for the pitcher full of flowers and water and poured it all over him.
    “ You BITCH! ” he shouted as he jumped up wiping the flowers to the floor and wringing out the front of his shirt.
    “ Leave!” Samantha demanded, her arm pointing at the front door.
    “ Like hell I will, I belong with you. I’m never leaving you