CHAPTER TEN
ATHENA
When I was certain he wasn’t coming back, I rushed over to the door and locked the deadbolt. Rubbing my hands along my upper arms, I willed myself to relax. No man was worth this level of stress. Most definitely not Damon Price.
I paced around my apartment for a while before deciding it was safe enough for me to take a shower. The way Damon had kissed me was burned into my thoughts. As I lathered my hair with shampoo, it replayed on repeat.
He sure had one hell of an ego to pull a move like that. So ballsy and bold. I couldn’t help but wonder if he did this kind of thing often. Dragged innocent, unsuspecting women into the forest where he chased them in his psycho bunny mask before forcing them into a deal that would only benefit him.
Something about that thought didn’t sit well with me. I ignored the jealous twinge in my chest. This wasn’t me. I didn’t want men like Damon, and I didn’t want him.
Working hard to shove him completely out of my mind, I dried off and got dressed in my favorite cozy sweatpants with a loose fitting tank top.
I tied my damp hair into a loose braid before returning to the living room where I got comfortable on the couch with my laptop.
I browsed through a food delivery app, trying to decide what I felt like eating at this time of night.
Finally, I settled on an order of honey garlic chicken wings with a Caesar salad on the side.
While waiting for my food to arrive, I got back to job hunting.
Scouring the web for any information I could find on local teaching jobs.
I didn’t have any experience and would have to start at the bottom.
Probably as a teacher’s assistant or an occasional substitute.
There were more job opportunities in larger cities.
I hadn’t planned to move away from Wintervale at this point in my life.
It seemed like something I may have to consider.
Once my food arrived, I dug in, seeking comfort in the delicious wings. My TV played the latest episode of a reality show about people who got married while barely knowing each other. Absolute lunacy. I really loved junk TV. My guilty pleasure.
Despite the ridiculous drama playing out on my television, I couldn’t stop my mind from wandering back to Damon. To the way he commanded the room with his mere presence. How he managed to both awe me and annoy me. And that stupid kiss. Why wouldn’t it leave me?
Muttering beneath my breath, I took another bite of chicken. As I scrolled through websites dedicated to potential job listings, I decided that maybe a change of location might not be so bad. At least it would get me away from Damon.
I was perusing the details of a particular job posting two towns away when the text tone on my phone went off. Expecting to see a message from one of my girls, I was surprised to find an unknown number. Once I read the message, I knew exactly who had sent it.
Still thinking about me? I had a feeling you would be.
The absolute audacity of this man. I stared at the message, rereading it a few times. I hated that it was almost as if he were inside my head. How did he know?
I started to reply several times, stopping myself as I second-guessed my response. Finally, I simply said: Get over yourself.
Tossing my phone back onto the couch next to me, I tried to return my focus to the computer screen. I knew another reply would soon come. A sensation like ants crawling under my skin made me shift uncomfortably.
Jobs. That’s what I needed to concentrate on right now. The summer would be over before I knew it. I needed to get something in place.
Am I wrong?
Wow, Damon was so incredibly full of himself. As much as I wanted to leave him on read, I found myself replying anyway.
Everything about you is wrong, Damon. Lose my number.
I already knew that wasn’t going to do a damn thing to get him to leave me alone. Still, I felt like I needed to stand my ground. Show some kind of resolve.
Nice try, Athena. As long as you owe me, I own you. Get used to it.
His reply came faster than I’d expected.
I imagined him sitting in his house, smirking to himself while he tormented me by text.
Anything to drive me crazy. And it did drive me crazy.
Igniting me with the burning need to put him in his place.
To make sure he knew that I wasn’t about to bow down to him.
My fingers flew over the screen as I quickly typed back: Get used to me not giving a fuck.
I wasn’t sure why I had this deeply driven need to fight back against everything he said and did.
It would probably be far more effective to ignore him completely.
This stubborn part of me couldn’t sit back and say nothing while he spouted off like an arrogant jackass.
I never had been good at letting things go and walking away. Not when someone challenged me.
When several minutes passed and no reply came, I set my phone down and did my best to get back to work looking for a job. There were a few teacher’s assistant jobs. That may be a good way to get my foot in the door.
Feeling overwhelmed by it all, I closed the laptop and leaned back against the couch.
Absently nibbling a chicken wing, I stared at the TV, not really seeing what was on the screen.
Maybe this wasn’t the right job for me after all.
Maybe I’d wasted my time in school. What else could I do with my life?
I wanted something I felt confident about. Something that didn’t leave doubts.
A text coming through on my phone jolted me from my thoughts and worries. Damon again.
Sounds like you need a little attitude adjustment, cream puff. Maybe a good spanking. Perhaps another trip to the woods.
Words on the screen. Nothing more. There was nothing special about them, yet still a jolt of excitement raced through me.
On one hand, I was filled with indignation and ready to let him have it.
On the other hand, part of me was intrigued.
There was something about Damon that no other guy I’d known possessed.
Something dark and mysterious that drew me.
Is that the best you’ve got? I fired back, enjoying the rush.
No way. I should not be enjoying this. Everything about Damon was terrible. Nothing but bad news. Playing along with this game of his would only distract me. I had more important things on my plate.
When his next reply came, my stomach flipped.
How bad do you want to find out?
Nope. I didn’t want to find out at all. This was not a risk I should be taking. Not with him.
My thumb fluttered over the screen as I considered blocking his number. For some stupid reason, I couldn’t bring myself to do it yet. Instead, I tossed the phone aside and refused to respond anymore.
I was done. I had to be… for my own good.