am i acting my age now

the party felt wrong from the second we walked in.

it wasn't the lights, or the music, or the fake-ass people with their too-wide smiles and their vodka breath.

it was you.

you weren't beside me.

you were across the room, head tilted back in laughter, a drink in one hand, and that girl—her—standing too close to you. leaning into you like she knew you belonged to her.

you didn't even pull away.

you didn't look for me.

you just kept laughing. kept sipping. and she touched your wrist like it was hers.

my stomach twisted into knots so sharp it felt like barbed wire.i was seeing red._______________________________________________i don't remember walking over.i just remember my fingers closing around your wrist and yanking.

"billie—?"

"shut up. come with me."

"i—"

"now."_______________________________________________the bathroom was dark. quiet. the music outside throbbed through the walls like a heartbeat.

i slammed the door shut and locked it. turned to face you.

you looked up at me like you weren't sure if i was gonna scream or fuck you. and honestly?

i wasn't sure either.

"what the fuck was that out there?" i breathed, voice shaking with heat.

you blinked. "what are you—?"

"don't," i snapped, stepping closer, crowding you back against the cold tile wall. "don't act innocent. i watched you."

"i wasn't doing anything," you said. but your voice was breathy, trembling, like you wanted me to snap.

"you let her touch you. you let her flirt with you. in front of me."

"you're not my girlfriend," you whispered.

i let that sit.let the silence wrap around us like smoke.

then i smiled.

mean. small. cracked around the edges.

"you're right."

i moved closer—so close my chest brushed yours. your breath caught.

"i'm not your girlfriend," i murmured, "but you sure as fuck act like you're mine."

your lips parted.

i grabbed your jaw. not rough—but not soft either.just... firm.

your pulse jumped under my thumb.

"you sleep in my bed. you kiss me. you wrap yourself around me like i'm your fucking lifeline. but then you let her put her hands on you like it doesn't mean anything."

you tried to say something—i didn't let you.

i pinned you with my eyes.

"so you wanna play games with me?" i whispered, lowering my voice until it was pure gravel. "you wanna see what happens when i get jealous?" ( the fuck was I saying. horny mode fr activated )

your breath? gone.

and i fucking felt it.

your thighs clenched. your back arched slightly. you were dripping and i hadn't even touched you yet.

"you're not wearing a bra," i muttered, eyes dropping to your chest. "are you?"

you shook your head.

i let out a slow, filthy laugh.

"of course you aren't."

i pressed my hand to your throat. not squeezing. just resting there.

claiming it.

your mouth fell open. your hands grabbed the front of my hoodie like you were about to beg.

"say stop," i said. ( the fuck again )

silence.

then you whimpered.

"don't."

and i snapped.

i kissed you like i needed you to bleed for me. teeth, tongue, heat.messy and fucking desperate.

your hips bucked forward, seeking friction, and i let you grind against my thigh.

your breath broke against my lips.

i pulled back, just an inch.

"you like that?"

you nodded so fast it was pathetic.

i pushed my thigh harder between your legs. you gasped—head back, eyes fluttering.

"fuck, billie—"

"shhh," i whispered, kissing down your neck, biting just enough to leave marks. "don't be so loud. people might hear."

you moaned again, quiet this time, but i could feel your whole body trembling.

i slid my hand up your shirt. bare skin. hot. soft. perfect.

my thumb grazed under your breast, just a hint of pressure, not enough. you were panting now.

"please..." you whispered, voice cracking.

i stopped.

looked you dead in the eye.

"not yet."

you whined.i smiled.

"next time. i want you begging." the words were literally coming out of my mouth, without me thinking twice.

then i kissed your lips again—soft this time.a promise. a threat.

END OF CHAPTER 4NEXT CHAPTER: BIRD IN A CAGE✌🏽