Blackmailing Belle (The Lost Girls, #4)

by Holly Roberds

“I almost lost you,” he says, his voice rough with emotion. “Dominic. . .” I whisper, but it seems to anchor him, pulling his attention back to me. He shakes his head, a flicker of frustration crossing his face. “No, Isabelle. I’ve spent so long keeping you at arm’s length, convincing myself it was for your own good. That if I kept the monster in me caged, I’d somehow protect you from what I am. But tonight—seeing you, hearing you—I can’t do it anymore.” His words hang in the air, and I can feel the weight of his confession pressing against my chest. Before I can find the words to respond, he lowers himself onto his knees before me, his hands sliding up my thighs with deliberate slowness. “I’m not letting you go,” he murmurs, his lips brushing the inside of my knee. “Not now. Not ever. I lied to you when I told you why you were perfect.” I open my mouth, but he goes on. “You were unattached, all alone except for your father, someone who might not be so disgusted or fearful of my form based on your reading material, but the truth is—” His words break off as if it’s a struggle to keep going. “The truth is,” he says, finding the words he needs. “Since I saw that picture of you on your website, I wanted you.” His claw caresses my jawline, and suddenly it’s hard to focus on him, my eyes have gone blurry with unshed tears. “I wanted this to be methodical, easily compartmentalized, but you are so much more than anything I could have planned on. I’m obsessed with you.” The last wo...