Read Behind the Tears (Behind the Lives) for Free Online

my business when Ash has to clean up after you.”
    Looking sullen, Dante leaned back in his chair. “I wouldn’t have done Carly if I wuzn’t shitfaced.”
    “Another pathetic excuse.” Her eyes widened at Dante’s furious expression, his change from apologetic to angry far too sudden.
    “I shouldn’t hafta make excuses to you!” he yelled. “You’re not my girlfriend.”
    “I-I...”
    He sneered. “You’re the pathetic one, hanging around Ash when he obviously doesn’t want you.”
    Anger grasped Beth so tight it felt like Dante was squeezing her throat, making her want to scream at him for release, because he was right, she knew it deep down inside that Ash didn’t want her. “What would you know?! You don’t have a clue ’bout my relationship with Ash or about relationships full stop. All you do is have sex, and when you’re not doin’ some floozy, then you’re off drinking, snorting or doin’ the lot. You’re a bloody loser, leeching off your brother!”
    Dante got to his feet, pushing his chair backwards, the crash resounding through the room. “I’m not a loser! I pull my weight round this place. For fuck’s sake, ever since Nike quit working for us, I’ve been the one dealing with the cokeheads.” He pointed a finger at her. “And I can fuck whoever I damn well please, it has got nuthin’ to do with you. And why the hell would you care anyway?”
    “I-I don’t,” she said, shocked by his reaction. His right hand was fisting as though he wanted to slam into her face, her chest, her heart... She got up and moved around the table, using it as a barrier between them. He followed, making her back up into the glass sliding door. She lifted her hands instinctively. He pushed them down and moved in close—too close, and not like she wanted, his intimidating stance far from erotic. She’d seen him do this to people he wanted to scare, and right now, she knew it worked.
    He bared his teeth. “Just cos you think I’m shit, doesn’t mean other females do.”
    “I di-didn’t mean...” She flinched as he raised a hand.
    He placed it on the glass door. “And you think I’m vulgar? At least I don’t scream my head off so the whole neighbourhood can hear me fucking.”
    Feeling ashamed, Beth dropped her gaze. She’d wanted Dante to hear her having sex—wanted to turn him on. She didn’t know how she could do that to Ash, even more so because she loved him, but ... she loved Dante too. She’d never loved two guys at the same time before, didn’t think it was possible until she’d met the Ratas.
    “Look at me,” Dante growled.
    Beth shook her head.
    “Am I that repulsive?” he said, running a finger between her breasts, parting her kimono.
    Beth breathed in sharply, shocked that he was touching her so intimately.
    His thumb brushed her hard nipple. “Looks like that’s a no.”
    A thrill ran through her body, her reaction to his touch terrifying her just as much as his expression. “Don’t touch me!” she said, pushing his hand away.
    A mean smile played across his lips. “I don’t believe it, you’re actually turned on.” His hand moved to her other nipple.
    She slapped it away. “It’s cold, you arrogant jerk.”
    His eyes danced with amusement. “You remind me of a chick I used to know. She insulted me all the time. You wanna know how I got her to stop?” When Beth didn’t reply, he lowered his head, so close that she thought he was going to kiss her. He stopped within a breath of her mouth. “I fucked her. Is that why you insult me? You want me to fuck you?”
    “No,” she said, her voice barely a squeak.
    “Say it with more feeling.”
    She shoved at his chest, desperate to get distance between them. “I wouldn’t have sex with you.”
    “I didn’t say you would, just that you want to.”
    I do! Fuck, I do! Please go away...
    He ran a hand down her leg.
    Go away!
    “No answer?” he said as his fingers delved under her kimono. “So, how do you want it?