DASH by Shantel Tessier Page B

love you.” I did—I had loved him—but in return I hated myself. It was crazy and had me losing my mind. Thank God I finally woke up and left his ass.
    “Yes you do.” He takes a step toward me. “You can’t deny it. I know how you feel about me.” He gives me a smile that has my jaw twitching.
    He’s right, he always knew. And he took advantage of that. He knew how much I hated the way he had changed me and how I had to bite my tongue and smile.
    My anger comes back and I grab a small picture frame off the wall next to me and throw it at his face. He lifts his arm and blocks it. Damn! It hits the tiled floor and shatters. “What the fuck, Tabatha?” he shouts.
    I smile and shrug. He takes another step toward me with his hard face. “You’re going to come crawling back to me,” he snaps.
    The fuck I will! “Get the fuck out, Rodger!” I scream fisting my hands down by my sides.
    When he continues to just stand there, I take a step toward him, closing in the distance. My heart pounds in my chest and my hands are sweating. I’m actually terrified to stand up to him. But it’s been a long time coming. The old me would fall to her knees and cry like a fucking child. Ask him to take me to bed and make me his ‘good girl’.
    Fuck that!
    I take in a deep breath and lift my hands. I shove him through the front door with all I have. He lands on his ass on the front porch, not expecting that.
    “You fucking bitch,” he growls, standing up and dusting himself off.
    I smile. “Finally you call me by a name I don’t mind.” God, it feels so good to stand up for myself. There’s nothing else in the world like it.
    “You’re going to regret this,” he sneers.
    I ignore his threat. “Don’t come back around Rodger. We’re done!”
    I slam the door, lock it, and go back to my bedroom. I yank my dress up and over my head. I need a long hot shower. I had just placed it on my bed and turn to walk into the bathroom when a noise stops me.
    My doorbell rings... I fist my hands down by my sides. I swear the guy can’t take a hint. Without bothering to put clothes back on. I make my way back down the stairs and swing the door open. “I said to leave!” I shout.
    There standing on my front porch stands the only other guy I don’t want to see—Dash! How does he know where I live?
    His grayish eyes look me up and down before a smirk appears on his lips. He takes a step into my house, and I take a step back trying to keep my distance. He reaches up and closes the door once he’s inside.
    “You know,” he says taking another step toward me. “You shouldn’t answer the door half naked and expect someone to leave.” He licks his lips and I wrap my arms around myself. He chuckles. “It’s nothing I haven’t already seen, sweetheart.”
    My blood continues to boil. “Leave.” I point to the door.
    He shakes his head. “Not until I’m done with you,” he says matter-of-fact.
    “Well, you can’t have me,” I shoot back.
    I go to take another step back, but I hit the wall. He’s on me before I can even step around him. One hand tangles in my hair and the other is on my face. His lips attack mine, and he shoves his tongue down my throat.
    I’m able to place my hands on his chest and shove him away enough for me to take in a few deep breaths. “I’m so fucking tired of this bullshit game that you guys play,” I shout losing my patience.
    He stands there looking at me with concern on his face as if I’m about to have a breakdown. “What bullshit? What game?” he asks cautiously.
    “I mean the one where I act all submissive. The one where you guys demand that I be yours. And only yours. The one where I do things that make me hate myself to make you happy. And let’s face it that’s not fucking possible!” I ramble as my arms wave around in the air.
    He takes a step toward me, and I raise my hands to stop him. “Look, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he says softly. “But let’s sit