The audible hitch in her breath and the guilt that flashed in her eyes did nothing to stop my growing rage. “What do you mean?” she stammered.

“You bitch.” I released her neck and took a step back. “Who is he?”

“Who is who?” she screamed. “There’s no one!”

“That’s not what your eyes just said.”

“So now you’re a fucking mind reader?”

“No. I’m your fucking mind reader. Shelly, don’t play with me,” I warned.

“You have no right to question my love life.”

Love? Was she in love?

Fuck that. I’d stop her heart with my bare hands before I allowed her give it to anyone else.

I turned to face the other occupants in the room who stood by shell-shocked. Quentin held on tight to Lake’s arm while she continuously tried to tug from his grasp.

“Get the fuck out.”

I watched them all scramble while my heart pounded against my chest. Q shut the door, but not before giving me a warning look, one I wouldn’t be heeding.

When I turned back, Sheldon was gone. My feet moved swiftly around the first floor as I searched high and low for her. I didn’t bother to call after her knowing she wouldn’t answer.

She had many places to hide but nowhere to run.

The thought of the chase made my cock harden until it was practically beating against my jeans with anticipation.

CHAPTER TWELVE

SHELDON

I HID IN Keiran’s old room of all places. I don’t know why I ran. There was nowhere for me to hide, but I thought maybe if I stayed out of sight long enough, it would give him enough time to calm down.

I’d never seen Keenan with a temper like he’d had today.

I was even more surprised at my reaction to him.

I couldn’t, in all conscience believe when my body trembled at the sight and sound of him it was only in fear. My body betrayed me each time he looked at me. His eyes seemed to send me a message that I couldn’t yet decipher, but I knew it held a promise that I wasn’t sure I would want him to keep.

“Shelly, open the door.” The smooth tone of his voice belied the predator he was.

“I can’t do that.” I willed my shaking hands to stop along with the sweat running to the end of my fingertips.

“I would prefer it to breaking down this door, and I know you would too, so be a good girl and let me in. You don’t need to hide.”

“I’m not hiding. I wanted away from you.”

“Because you’re guilty?”

“Because what I do during my spare time is none of your business. Look, these past few days have been stressful. I think we need some time apart.”

“We’ve spent enough time apart, and I promise you won’t live another day without me.” I heard the apparent threat and shivered from the cold promise. I found myself crying despite my promise not to weaken.

“You’re just like him.” It was terrifying how much like Keiran Keenan had become.

“I’m nothing like him. I’m much worse. Now open the fucking door.” A loud bang against the door made me jump clear across the room before I could answer.

“Keenan, stop!” I was delirious as I begged at the top of my lungs. The door splintered and heaved under the force of his blows. “Please, just let me go.”

“You will always be someone I want, Shelly…” I hadn’t realized Keenan gained entry until his hands were in my hair and the other had gripped my chin. “…so what fucking makes you think I will ever let you go again?”

“Because we can’t do this.”

“We can do anything we want when I demand it, and right now, I want you to kiss me.”

“What?”

“Prove to me there is no one else—that there has never been anyone else, or I promise you will not walk out of here alive.

When I continued to hesitate, his arms dropped around my waist to crush me against him. When I tried to back away, he tightened his arms until I cried out from the pain. I felt his cock harden against my stomach and stared at him in disbelief.

“Are you getting off on this?”

“Yeah,” his gravelly voice confirmed. “I am.”

“Keenan, what happened to you?”

“You broke my heart,” he answered matter of factly. Despite his arms binding me to him, I felt my knees weaken. I had to clutch his chest to stop the feeling of falling.

“You broke mine, too.”

He had made a rough sound in his throat before he growled, “Quit stalling, or I’ll find another way to shut you up. I’m not in a forgiving mood, Shelly. You won’t be able to take me.”