Free Nightbloom by Juliette Cross Page B

carried his cocktail into his study across the hall and closed the door.
    Clayton observed me from top to bottom with narrowed eyes and a forced smile. Mom stood up from the gold brocade sofa.
    “You didn’t tell me you and Clayton were going out tonight, Ella.”
    “We weren’t.” I cleared my throat. “We aren’t.” My voice was sharp.
    Mom turned a confused look on Clayton. He laughed that fake, I’m-so-amazing laugh, which raised the hairs on the back of my neck.
    “You must’ve forgotten, baby . I have reservations for us at Vallero’s. Besides, you certainly look ready to go out.” An accusatory tone.
    “Yes, dear. You look very pretty.”
    “Who were you going out with if you’d forgotten about our plans?”
    Clayton’s gaze made me shiver as he walked toward me in a slow, determined gait.
    My mother, obviously sensing some tension, rose and laughed. “Oh, I’m sure she didn’t forget.”
    “Actually, Mom, there’s something I need—”
    “I brought your comm device.” Clayton stood directly in front of me, blocking my mother. “You left it in my car the other night.”
    He held out my comm with a video playing, the sound off. The footage was of me. I pressed my body against Paxon, pulled his face down to me, and planted a fiery kiss on his mouth in front of stunned onlookers. Someone had apparently been quick to video my public display and either posted it on the Net, or Clayton had gotten it directly from them. Heat rushed to my face.
    Clayton grinned, but there was no trace of humor. Only biting, calculating malice. He spoke in a low, cruel tone. “Let’s go outside. Unless you want to have this conversation in front of your dear, sweet mother.”
    He knew exactly what my fears were. When we’d first started dating, I’d mentioned my mom’s aversion to Morgons. In an attempt to get closer to him, I’d shared my own fear of disappointing my parents. Now, I regretted my stupidity.
    I swallowed the ugly words I wanted to say to him. Now wasn’t the time for a scene. I’d have to break it to my parents later.
    “Don’t wait up for me, Mom.”
    “Good evening, Mrs. Barrow,” Clayton cooed in a syrupy voice, hooking one arm through mine, and led me out the double-doors into our circular drive.
    As soon as we were out of earshot, I ripped my comm device from his hand.
    “Clayton, I made it quite clear to you that we’re through.” As we neared my car in the twilight shade, I clicked the video off and shoved my comm in my coat pocket. “I don’t know what games you’re playing, but you need to listen to me well. I don’t want to be with you anymore. We are done .”
    Lightning fast, he gripped my face from underneath, palm to my chin, fingers clenching my jaw. I yelped. He shoved me back against the car and locked me in place with his legs outside mine. Rage contorted his face into strained lines. Something sinister glinted in his eyes. I’d seen his outbursts of temper before, but not like this.
    “Now, you listen to me,” he grated, face close, breath hot. “I don’t give a fuck what you think. We’re not done till I say we’re done. I’ve invested five months into you, and as far as I’m concerned, we’re as good as married.”
    “You’re out of your mind. I’d never marry you. How could you even think I would after I saw you screwing that girl?”
    “If you’d put out, Ella, I wouldn’t have had to resort to screwing that girl . It’s your fault, really.”
    “You’re disgusting.”
    His hand shifted, thumb and forefinger pressing into the hollow where my jaw met my neck. His other held my shoulder hard against the car.
    “What’s suddenly changed your mind? You puttin’ out for Nightwing now? Is that it?”
    “Let go of me.”
    “Not until you understand this situation more clearly. So let me explain it to you.” His hold on my throat loosened, caressing down almost lovingly in a sick contradiction of reality. “I’m still climbing the ladder in my