The Debt 6 by Kelly Favor Page A

her.
    The blanket and sheets still bore the telltale signs of their sexual encounter.   Everything was messy and wrinkled and disorganized.
    “Exactly what?” Jake asked, his tone still remarkably calm.
    She blinked, confused, not remembering what they’d even been discussing a moment ago.   But then she realized she had nothing to feel guilty about, none of this was her fault.   Jake was the one who refused to let her in, refused to be in a real committed relationship with her.   As long as he had that attitude, she couldn’t tell him about Club Alpha and what they were trying to do.
    “You don’t want to talk about the state of our relationship because it would force you to admit the truth.”   Raven smoothed her hair and straightened her shirt.
    “What truth is that?”
    She turned and glared at him.   “You refuse to be in a real relationship with me.   I can’t count on you for anything.”
    Jake’s eyes hardened.   “So what are you doing here, then?” he said.   “Doesn’t this count for something?”
    “It was fun,” she said, not blinking.
    “You’re afraid and upset,” Jake told her.   “Don’t take it out on me.”
    “Don’t tell me how I feel.”  
    Jake smiled, but it wasn’t friendly.   “I’m not telling you how you feel.   I’m telling you how you’re behaving.”
    “Yeah, I’m upset.   My parents’ house burned down.   Meanwhile, you come in and out of my life whenever you want, acting like you care, pretending that I can trust you when we both know that I can’t.”
    “You can trust me,” Jake said firmly.   “I’ve never done anything to intentionally hurt you or betray your trust.”
    Raven looked down at the floor, her chest rising and falling quickly.   She was at war with her own mind and heart.   She wanted so badly to come clean with everything, but Jake wasn’t a known quantity.   He was an enigma, capable of anything at any time.   “The thing is, I know you believe that about yourself,” Raven said softly, finally looking at him again.   “But you’re wrong, Jake.   Everything about you is a lie.”
    He swallowed and his eyes got a hollow, far away look as he took in her accusation.   “Are you sure we’re still talking about me?” he asked.   His eyes refocused on her, boring into her now, and Raven felt as if he could see through all the lies and half-truths.
    She felt completely naked and exposed, and her heart was pounding.   But she couldn’t allow herself to admit that she was in the wrong.   “Yes, I’m sure we’re talking about you,” she lied.
    He smiled bitterly.   “Have it your way, then, Raven.   When you’re finished in here, meet me in the lobby.   I’ll have a car waiting for you.”   He turned and walked out of the room and a moment later, she heard the door close.
    Raven took only a moment to freshen up as best she could in the bathroom.   As she was looking at her strained and tired eyes in the mirror, she heard the hotel room door opening again and then footsteps entering the suite.
    “Who’s there?” she called out.
    “It’s me,” Jake said.   His voice was different somehow.
    Her heart didn’t slow, but actually beat faster.  
    She swallowed with some difficulty, walking out of the bathroom to face him.   “What now?” she said, challenging him, sounding crueler than she needed.   It was as if she was baiting him for some reason.
    Maybe you’re just scared to open up and let him in after all.
    He was staring at her with a very strange look in his eye.   “I’m not going to let you do this,” he said, and his strong jaw was fixed, and he had a determined look on his face that made her more frightened than ever.    
    “Not going to let me do what?”
    “I started to leave the room to get you a car, to let you go on your own, and then it hit me.   This is exactly what you want, Raven—you’re trying to push me away.”   He stepped closer to her and she retreated a