Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Scarlette almost laughed, more out of exasperation than anything else. She lifted her hand, ready to slap him again, but he was too fast-his fingers caught her wrist before she could land the hit.

Then his hand slid from her neck to the back of her head, pulling her in for a hard, punishing kiss.

Scarlette knew she didn't stand a chance against his strength, so she bit his lip, sharp and fierce.

He let go immediately, wiping the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. "You're really mad, huh?"

Scarlette didn't bother to answer. She turned away and unlocked her front door.

She'd barely kicked off her shoes before Nicholas wrapped his arms around her from behind, his chin brushing her shoulder.

"Come on, what's the big deal?" he murmured. "Just don't meet up with him again and I promise I won't lose my temper. Let's compromise, alright? Seriously, what is it he can do for you that I can't?”

Scarlette just felt tired. She didn't have it in her to argue anymore.

With Nicholas, talking was pointless.

He'd been coddled his whole life, handed everything, never having to figure out how the world really worked. In his eyes, there was nothing he couldn't fix with a word, a gesture, or a little force.

Trying to explain anything to him was exhausting.

to tell him to let go when

changed in an instant. She shoved Nicholas away, harder than she

the cabinet behind him, half laughing

answered the call, forcing herself

over by the university tonight? Someone told me they

antagonize Scarlette, for reasons no

had no idea what the person who saw them might have told her mom. She quickly used Morgan

having dinner with Morgan near campus. Ran into Nick by chance, and we argued a little, but it was nothing. Sorry to make

“I heard the two of you didn't look too happy, so I just wanted to check in. You know your brother-if he makes you mad,

that, but Scarlette knew better. Any time she fought back, she could feel the whole family pulling away

the truth a long

was the family's golden boy. She'd never be the

everything between them lately. The anxiety felt suffocating, like she was constantly waiting for

secret would come out and those videos Nicholas kept were like a knife hanging over her head,

"Scarlette?" Rose prompted gently.

to herself and forced a

dad and were actually thinking... maybe it's time to set Nicholas up with someone.

out of hand, and maybean