The Treatment (The Program #2)(28)

I’m overwhelmed with the sight of him, the way his eyes hold me in their gaze—wicked and loving at the same time. I watch as he comes toward the bed, leaning in slowly but confidently. He’s no longer cautious of me; he’s given himself up to me completely. And so I kiss him hard, digging my nails into his skin as I pull him down onto the bed. We’re addicted to each other—no matter what the consequences.

“I think I need another shower,” James says from next to me. I laugh, rolling over to rest my face on his shoulder.

“Shh . . .” I say, putting my finger over his lips. “Don’t ruin it.”

“I’m the one who’s ruined.”

“Shut up, James.”

“I’m like . . . corrupted.”

“You are not.”

“I think you have to marry me now.”

I laugh, but when he doesn’t keep going, I look over at his face. A grin pulls at his lips, but his expression is far more serious than I expected. There’s a cool draft from the window where it’s barely nudged open, but neither of us are in a hurry to get up.

“You might as well marry me now,” he says. “You know you will, anyway.”

Tingles spread over my skin. “Will I?” I ask.

He nods. “On the beach. After you learn how to swim.” I wince. “You had me until you said swim.”

“Aw, come on,” James says. “You can’t be scared of water for the rest of your life.” When tell him that I sure can, James puts his hand behind my neck, pulling me into a soft kiss. “Say yes to me,” he murmurs. “Say yes now so I’ll never have to ask again.”

His mouth, his taste—it’s all so familiar and exciting.

It’s heavy and suffocating, it’s then and now. “Yes,” I whisper finally, closing my eyes as I snuggle against him. “I’ll marry you someday, James. I’d do anything for you.” I can feel his jaw shift as he smiles, taking my hand to squeeze his fingers between mine before kissing my ring finger.

Chapter Eleven

BREAKFAST IS ALL SORTS OF AWKWARD AS I SIT

across from Realm, James next to me with his body turned slightly away. I would have figured James more of the possessive type, somehow claiming me in front of Realm while crunching on his Frosted Flakes. But instead he has only a small smirk that I notice between spoonfuls.

“You’re happy today,” Realm says, eying him as he drinks black coffee from a Styrofoam cup. Dallas glances over from where she sits on the counter, studying James’s expression until she understands, and then turns away.

“I am so very happy,” James replies to Realm, not looking up.

“It won’t last,” Realm snaps. “You know that.” James smiles broadly, finally meeting Realm’s suspicious gaze. “You have no idea how long I can last,” James says with a little laugh. He pushes back from the table, grabbing his bowl.

He kisses the top of my head before walking to the sink, pats Dallas’s leg, and then leaves the room—smiling the entire time.

Realm’s dark stare flicks to me; the quiet guy who showed up yesterday is gone. “See the two of you made up,” he says.

I’ve suddenly lost my appetite. The first time I introduced Realm to James, they nearly killed each other, because Realm was being a dick to me. Right now this is feeling pretty familiar.

“When were James and I fighting?”

“Before you left Oregon. When you came to my house and kissed me. Unless you forgot about that.” There’s the clink of a bowl before Dallas hops down from the counter. “That would be my cue to exit,” she says. “Realm, I’ll catch up with you at the site later.” Realm reaches for her as she starts past him, touching her hand. There’s a slight twinge in my stomach. “Just give me a few minutes, Dal,” he says kindly. She considers, but then after an annoyed look in my direction, she nods and walks out The weight of an impending argument floods the room—

even though I’m not entirely sure what Realm and I have to fight about. Yes, I kissed him, but that was because of The Program.

They tried to erase James, but I still loved him. Even Realm saw that.

“If you’re going to be a jerk,” I start. “Then—”

“What did you expect, Sloane?” Realm puts his elbows on the table, leaning forward like he’s ready to pounce. “I told you to stay away from James—that he’d make you sick again.

And yet here you are on the run because of him, because you were being reckless and The Program was called. Do you think I should applaud that? What the hell do you want from me?”

“I don’t know,” I say. “For you to go back to the way you were in The Program.”

“You mean the way you want me to be.”

“That’s not what I’m saying.”

“It doesn’t work like that. You don’t get to dictate how I act, how I feel.”

“I’m not trying—”

“You’re not?” he shouts, and I straighten up, alarmed by his harsh tone. “Why didn’t you take the pill, Sloane? Why can’t you remember?” I immediately look toward the door, afraid someone might have overheard. Realm’s mouth opens, a knowing expression on his face. “It’s because of him, isn’t it?” he demands. “You didn’t take it because of James.”