Once You're Mine (Possessing Her)

by Morgan Bridges

“It’s never been this way for me. I don’t know how to deal with it except to make sure that you’re safe and cared for at all times. That’s the only thing keeping me from going completely insane and kidnapping you. Although I’ve thought about it. A lot.”

“It might not be healthy or what’s considered normal.” He releases my chin to slide his hand in my hair, tangling his fingers in the strands to hold me immobile. “But I don’t want normal if it means I can’t have you.”

“You make me ache, Callie. In ways I didn’t know I could.”

“First, you’ll move in with me.” When I sputter, he holds up a hand. “You said you have a stalker, which means you’re in danger. I can’t do whatever’s necessary to solve your father’s murder if I’m spending all of my time worrying about you. With you living here, I’ll know you’re safe.”

Hayden Bennett wants to fucking own me.

“I’m fine with that as long as none of it involves another man,” he says. “Unless you want me to threaten his life.

I might not have claimed your body, but I’ll be fucked before I let someone else touch you.”

He places his index finger under my chin and lifts my head. “Once this case is solved, you won’t have any excuses left and no places to run. Right now, you’re the only obstacle in my way, but you’re also the only woman I want. Despite what you believe, that’s never going to change.”

“That’s your room,” I say, by way of explanation. “I know that.” “Don’t you have a guest room?” He nods. “I do, but you won’t be sleeping anywhere unless it’s with me.” “Hayden…”

“Never,” he says, the sound guttural and deep, as if summoned from the depths of his soul. “Do you hear me, Callie? I’ll never leave you. Not in this life or whatever comes after. You are mine. And I will burn this world to fucking ashes before I let anything take you from me. Or me from you.”

His passionate declaration wrecks me in the best possible way.

“That’s unfair, but I’ll never deny you.” He grinds his cock into me, causing my breath to hitch.

“I’d give you anything if it meant I’d get to keep you.” “Keeping me means surviving you.” His brows snap together. “Explain.” “If I give myself to you—” “When,” he interjects. I glare up at him, but it lacks any real heat.

“If I give myself to you, you’ll break me into pieces so small I won’t be able to put myself back to...

“I’ll fuse your broken pieces with mine. Together, we’ll ...

“I will always come back to you, Callie.”

Calista Green may bear the flaws all humans possess, but to me, she’s perfect.

“When it comes to your well-being, there are no limits on what I’d do to keep you safe.”

“Come here,” I say, my voice gruff because of the sexual frustration pricking at me. Calista slides over and presses her body to my side. I nearly fucking sigh because of how much I love the feel of her. Instead, I snake my arm around her back and place my hand on her hip, my grip secure.

Not only does Calista soothe me, she makes me feel like I’m home.

“You’ve been a mystery to me from the moment I first saw you. I’ve spent weeks trying to understand why you’re different than the rest and why you matter when I don’t give a fuck about anyone else.”

“I’ve never felt this loss of control, this all-consuming need for someone.” His hand flexes against my hip, a sense of urgency in his fingertips.

“I can’t let you go now that you’re here. If I did, it’d be like removing my lungs. I wouldn’t fucking survive it.”

“I know you think I only wish to possess you,” he whispers against my hair, “but I want to protect you. To avenge you. And I will, even if it takes the rest of my life. I won’t stop until justice has been served by my hands.”

After gathering my bearings, I slide from the bed, my gaze landing on the neatly folded clothing sitting on the nightstand. Alongside it is a handwritten note from Hayden. I wish I could’ve been here to see how you look with the morning sun kissing your face, but I had a court case that I can’t ignore. These clothes are the first sample of your new wardrobe. If they are satisfactory, then I’ll continue filling the closet. If not, then I’ll see to the changes this evening. As for today, I want you to stay home and rest. I already notified your boss at the Sugar Cube that you’re taking the day off. Lastly, text me once you finish reading this. ~Hayden

A hard lesson I learned from my father’s death is that you can’t depend on a man to provide everything in your life. Because if they’re suddenly gone, you’re screwed.

“Wow, that’s fucking romantic.” She tilts her head. “Or psychotic. Take your pick.”

HAYDEN’S TEXTS ARE GOING TO GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK. Or an orgasm.

“I cross my heart and hope to get laid.”

“Sometimes you just click with someone in a way that sets your soul on fire, and that’s okay. It’ll be fine as long as you listen to your instincts and make sure you get what you need too.”

I want to protest against the extravagance, but when he glances at me as if I’m his reason for breathing… I can’t deny this man anything.

“You belong anywhere I bring you. No exceptions.”

“Your life is all I care about, and I’ll do whatever it takes to preserve it, Callie. Even if that means pissing you off.”

“Give in, little bird. Let me take care of you.”

However, the thought of relying completely on another person and giving them power over my happiness and security again is terrifying.

“There is no future without you in it.” “Hayden…” “You’re my life. That won’t change.” I twist my hands in my lap. “What if it does?” “You’re mine in life and death. There is no end when it comes to us.” “I don’t believe that.” He shrugs. “You don’t have to. I know it to be true. You’re looking for security in material things, so ask for what you want. Money, done. Abstinence, done. Only for a time anyway. A marriage certificate where you’d be my wife and therefore entitled to all my assets? Done. I’d marry you tonight if that’s what you wanted. Whatever it takes to get you to finally understand that you’re everything to me.”

“When the woman of your darkest fantasies says she wants you, you don’t let anything get in the way of her changing her mind.”

“Fuck it,” he says, his breath ragged. “I can’t wait anymore.”

“The way you take my cock,” he says. “It’s so fucking good.”

His heart pounds against mine, grounding me, reminding me he’s human. Even if he does fuck like a god.

I almost laugh for a third time. The photograph in my room is of Calista.

“We need to discuss your flippant behavior at some point.” “Yup.” I grin. “You think I don’t hear the ‘fuck you’ when you do that?” “Yup.”

My heart, wherever that fucker might be, bleeds for her.

That has to be a red flag, right?” Harper’s lips pull to the side. “Red’s my favorite color.”

he’s definitely ruined me for any other man.