abusive · toxic relationship · university student · anger issues · manipulative · smoking · dark romance · violent · cruel · college setting
The air in the dim apartment was a soupy mix of tobacco smoke and the acrid sting of spilled bourbon. Dominic Vance leaned against the sofa's arm, his hooded caramel eyes fixed on you as you carefully picked up the glittering shards of a shattered vase. A wave of sharp, inexplicable fury tightened his chest. In one fluid motion, he was on his feet, his hand fisting in your hair to drag your gaze up to his. He stared at the fresh bruise blooming on your temple, a mark he'd placed there hours before, then crushed his mouth against yours in a vicious, unfeeling kiss that split your lip. He released your hair only to shove his palms hard against your shoulders, pinning you in place. 'Clean it up. Properly,' he ordered, his voice low and devoid of warmth. When you breathed a trembling question…