Twisted Hate

The possibility of you is better than the reality of anyone else.

I went from wanting to kill you…to willing to kill for you.

You’re it for me. Whether it’s today, tomorrow, a year, or decades from now, that’ll never change.

Hell with you sounds like heaven to me.

You’re mine,” I said against her mouth. “Let another man touch you, Jules, and you’ll find out just how easily I can take a man’s life as I can save one.

I would take a thousand fights with Jules over a thousand easy days with anyone else. Because I didn't want easy. I wanted her.

When I’m not with her, I wish she were there. When I am with her, I want that moment to last forever.

You know, you’re the first guy I’ve been with in my room.”“First and last, Red.”“Possessive much?”“Damn right I am. I don’t like sharing.”“Sharing is a virtue, Josh.”“I don’t give a flying fuck. I don’t share. Not when it comes to you.

Go. To. Hell,” I panted. It was the only sentence I could manage before another sharp thrust scrambled my thoughts.His dark chuckle reverberated through me. “You’re my personal hell, Red.” He gave my hair another sharp tug. “And God help me, I don’t want to fucking leave.

Twelve days, eight hours, and nine minutes. I spent every second thinking of you.” Josh’s lips brushed against mine as he spoke. “I thought I knew what I wanted before. Becoming a doctor, chasing the next high. Being the most popular, most liked person in the room. I thought those things would make me happy, and they did. Temporarily. But you…” He rested his forehead against mine. “You’re the only thing that could make me happy forever.

Is this a bookstore scavenger hunt?” I bounced on my feet, unable to contain my delight.“Scavenger hunt and puzzle.” Josh’s cheek dimpled. “Have to make sure your brainpower meets my standards, Red. I don’t date dummies.”“Understandable. Someone has to be the brains in the relationship.

You’re the only thing that could make me happy forever.

Sometimes, people change. And sometimes, they meet people who make them want to change.”“And sometimes, people sound like a human fortune cookie.

You need someone to bend you over and fuck that attitude right out of you.

Before, Jules was beautiful in the way grass was green and oceans were deep. It was a fact of life, but not something that particularly touched me.Now, she was beautiful in a way that made me want to drown in her, to let her fill every inch of my soul until she fucking consumed me. It didn't matter if it killed me, because in a world where I was surrounded by death, she was the only thing that made me feel alive.

She understands me in a way no one else does, even if our worldviews are fundamentally different. When I’m not with her, I wish she were there. When I am with her, I want that moment to last forever. She makes me want to be a better person, and when I think about a world where she doesn’t exist…” His jaw flexed. “I want to burn every inch of it to the ground.

No falling in love.”I scoffed. “Red, you’ll fall in love with me before I ever fall in love with you.” The mere idea was absurd.Jules was the most difficult woman I’d ever encountered. God help whichever poor bastard ended up falling for her.

The great thing about having a morally questionable best friend was that they didn’t question you when you did morally questionable things.

Hey, Red.” Josh looked me over, his eyes heating. “Nice to see you looking presentable for once.”“Nice to see you looking human for once.” I gave him an equally deliberate once-over. “How much did you pay for the skin suit to cover up your devil's horns and reptile skin?”“It was free. I'm just that charming,” he drawled.“I think the seller was just scared you'll suffocate him with your giant ego if you didn't leave soon.”His laugh rolled through me like molten caramel, rich and sweet. “I fucking missed you.

I haven’t seen you with anyone lately. What happened, Joshy? Ran out of women who’ll fall for your bullshit?”“It’s a choice, Red. I can get any girl I want at any time.”“False. You can’t get me.”“I haven’t tried.”We stared at each other, our implied challenge hanging thick in the air.

This is a work event, so apologize, walk away, and we’ll leave it at that. But disrespect Jules again, and I’ll put you in the emergency room myself.

You’re one of the few people I trust...even when we couldn’t stand each other, I could always count on you to be honest with me.

Mine. Mine. Mine.Up until this moment, Asher had been one of my sports idols, but I wanted to gouge his fucking eyes out for looking at her like that. Like she could possibly be his when she so clearly, irrevocably belonged to me.

She didn’t tell you earlier because she was afraid of how you’d react. Now, tell me. How did you react?

I poked at the cupcake with suspicion. “Did you poison it?” There was a difference between being civil and buying someone their favorite cupcake unprompted.“Nah, I was in a rush. Maybe next time.

Because you’re it for me. Whether it’s today, tomorrow, a year, or decades from now, that’ll never change.” Josh’s lips brushed against my skin before he pulled back, his face taut with emotion. “I’m human, Red. I’ve made mistakes in the past, and I’ll make many more in the future. But one mistake I’ll never make is letting you go, not when there’s even a sliver of a chance left for us. Because the possibility of you is better than the reality of anyone else.

Our first impressions stick with us the longest, but contrary to popular opinion, some people do change. The only problem is, they change faster than our prejudices do.

The monsters in our imagination are often worse than those in reality.

Jules: How’s the bro date going? Should I be worried?Me: TBD. Alex knows how to treat a guy right, but you’re prettierJules: Are you saying I don’t know how to treat you right??Me: You spend half your time insulting me, RedJules: It’s not my fault you’re a masochist

I pointed at him. “If I die, I'm haunting your ass for eternity.”Josh placed a hand over his heart, a scandalized expression spreading across his face. Any hints of the earlier brooding had disappeared. “JR, I'm shocked. There are children around. Try to keep your obsession with my ass under wraps until we return to our room.