Chapter 14

Ever since Fraser got in the car, he hadn't said a single word. His sharp features were tense, and the whole car felt like the calm before a major storm. Bellamy slumped lazily in the seat, completely oblivious to any tension, chattering away like it was just another casual ride. "You're mad, right? Because I went too far tonight? Fighting was bad enough, but my mouth really ran wild too, huh?" Fraser just kept staring ahead with that cold face, saying nothing. Bellamy, not one to be discouraged, only got more into her own monologue. "Okay, okay, I know you're seriously pissed. Probably because I totally ruined your date dinner, right?" Still no response. Refusing to give up, she leaned in sideways and nudged closer. "Silent treatment means you're admitting it, yeah?" She'd been spouting nonsense ever since getting in, and Fraser had tried to ignore her, telling himself he'd 'discipline' her later tonight. But at this point, he'd had enough. He cut off the engine, letting the black Cayenne sit boldly in the middle of the road, and just leaned in to shut her up the fastest way he knew-by kissing her. The car behind them started blaring its horn like crazy, but Fraser couldn't care less. Instead, he deepened the kiss, like he was trying to steal her breath. Bellamy whimpered, breathless, struggling to get some air, but he didn't back off. Pushed to the limit, she finally used the self-defense moves he himself had taught her, driving her elbow hard into his stomach. He let out a low grunt and pulled away, glaring at her. Bellamy shot him a side-eye glare. "Are you insane? Horny as hell and making out in the middle of the street at night? Keep going and someone's gonna ram your car out of sheer spite." Fraser was panting, eyes locked onto her. "Forget about me and public decency-how about you take a good look at yourself? Ever think about whether you've even got a heart in there?" "I do!" Bellamy shot back instantly, yanking his hand to her chest. "Feel it? Still thumping like crazy." Fraser felt his chest tighten with a fury he barely held back-she was driving him mad. He had to take a couple of deep breaths to stop himself from completely losing it and falling into her antics. "Bellamy, I've been trying for years to fix things between you and your mother. Can't you just meet me halfway once? Just once, try to talk to her like a normal person?" She'd heard this same line from him a thousand times, and it never failed to light a fire in her. Her temper shot up, and she grabbed his collar, her eyes burning. "How many times do I need to say it? I hate her! We can't stand under the same sky! Dead or alive, I'm never gonna smile and play nice with her. So Fraser, quit wasting your time. Stop trying to please both sides! Be the good son she wants-marry Lydia if that's what she says. Cut me off if she orders it. But she doesn't get to control me. I'll keep clinging to you, keep messing with you on purpose, keep shoving myself right in her face. What, she gonna stop me?" Bellamy's face flushed; she was breathing hard, her chest rising and falling with emotion. Her knuckles gripping his shirt had gone pale. Her bright eyes sparkled with unshed tears, making her powerful words all the more heartbreaking. Fraser just sat there, face soaking wet from what felt like half her saliva-but he was totally defenseless against her now. He let out a long sigh, wiped his face, and shifted the topic away from Marianne as gently as he could. "Fine. Since you say you're not letting go of me, why didn't you come to me about the building materials? You could've just said something. I'd have sorted it with one phone call. No need to go out drinking with people like that." Bellamy had already spent the fight's fire on her rant. She let go of his collar, slouched back into her seat, and turned to stare out the window.