His arms crossed stubbornly over his chest.

I tried to shove him aside to go the other way but Eric was as immovable as a boulder right now.

"What?" I deflated. Shoulders slumping.

"Let's discuss the terms and rules of this little arrangement."

"It's not an arrangement." I rolled my eyes. Tossing my bangs back from my forehead. "It's a consequence for making a deal with the devil."

"Ooh." He grinned. Dimples appearing to frame the corners of his mouth. "I like the sound of that."

I groaned loudly.

Letting him twist to step aside. Gesturing toward the living room.

I eyed the stairs as we walked past them, considering bolting for them. I had apparently sent too lingering a glance there way. I jumped when I felt his lips brushing my ear to whisper to me.

"You wouldn't make it three steps before I caught your ankle and packed you to the Living Room."

I sent a black look his way. My lip curling in contempt.

***

"Now, now, My Little Allie Kat." His hands landed on my shoulders. Their heat exuding through my thin t-shirt. "Let's see how true to your word, you really are..."

What the Hell does that mean? I stiffened at his touch and finished walking mechanically into the main room where he gestured for me to sit on the couch.

He sat next to me. Turning so his knee brushed mine and he was leaned over the armrest along his lower back. One arm strung over the back of the couch between us.

Looking like a lion eying a meal.

He chuckled. "You look like you're pouting."

My soul is dying.

"What are you going to have me do, Eric?" I forced myself to ask the dreaded question.

"That all depends." He looked at his hand along the back of the couch. Thoughtfully plucking at a few loose strings. "Are you going to bail at the first discomfort or are you a girl of your word..." His eyes landed on me darkly. "Like you used to be."

It was a clear underhanded jab. A reference to him saying I used to be kind and good.

Implying I no longer am.

***

My chin hitched at the challenge. My voice coming out waspish. "I'll keep my word, Eric. Just as I would've before."

He tilted his head to the side to eye me skeptically. "Easy words to say."

"Just tell me what you're going to make me do."

"A little of everything, I think."

"Stop playing games and trying to scare me. Just be real."

"Oh," His blue eyes widened on me as he suddenly leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees putting him far too close. "I'm being very real."

I stared at him deciding how serious he was.

Very serious. I concluded. Stomach tightening and mouth suddenly going dry.

"And it's going to scare the hell out of you." He said flatly.

"What's the deal, Eric."

"My little slave for the week. As we agreed."

"Carrying your books, cleaning your car, what?"

"Kissing me, touching me, doing all kinds of things to me." He matched my tone unblinkingly.

My jaw hung slack and my eyes went huge.

"All the things you're so afraid of..."

"I'm not afraid! I just don't want to!" I objected.

"Don't you?" His voice dropped, turning coaxing.

I should've known it was going to go somewhere I didn't like.

"I've known you a long time, Allie Kat. From back when we was kids." He sat back again. Looking relaxed. But his whole body was tight.

Ready to jump up after me.

***

"You've been afraid to be close to anyone since your dad left."

My eyes narrowed on him as I was instantly furious at hearing him talk about something so close to me in his wretched voice.

"Go ahead." He cooed. "Get mad. I don't mind. I've been your whipping boy long enough to be used to it."

"My whipping boy!" I screeched. "Do you even know what that means?"

"Just because I don't read your fancy books or speak your pretty words doesn't mean, I'm dumber than you, Allison."

I reared back with a curled lip. Unsure if I wanted to slap him or was impressed.

Or both.

Likely both.

"You're not my whipping boy." I said more softly.

"You may want to really think that over before saying that."

"You're not."

"Hmm." His eyes went hooded and his jaw tightened which told me he was going to say something he knew would piss me off. "Then why'd you start fighting me all the time after your dad left?"

"I didn't!" I leapt o my feet. "You just became an asshole."

He caught my wrist as soon as I moved. "Sit back down, Allison."

"No!" I jerked my wrist away.

"Slave for a week." He sat back with a quirked brow.

Challenging me to prove I was too coward already.

***

I slowly sat back down. My back as stiff as if it were made of metal.

"Part of being my slave means not only doing what I say but answering what I ask. My every wish is your direction. You remember how we used to play?"

"I used to make you carry my backpack." I grumbled. Quick to remind him.

"Yes, but we're bigger now. And my need for vengeance runs a hair deeper." He lifted his fingers to pinch the air between them to reveal a couple inches.

"Vengeance?" I blinked at him in confusion.

He looked utterly calm, though he was still watching me like I might jump up and run away.

Which in all fairness, I am considering. I tossed a yearning glance toward the doorway. Able to see the white railing of the stairs beyond.

This whole conversation is way too intense.

His hand suddenly landing tightly on my knee told me he'd read my thoughts on my face.

I gave him a fearful look and he was steadily shaking his head.

"Na-uh, Allie Kat. You're mine now, You Precious Thing."