More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
For all the bookworms who think praise and degradation kink should always go hand in hand.
Somehow, my fucking bird managed to imprint on my stepsister, sight unseen. Damn the intelligence of parrots. It’s fucking creepy sometimes.
What the hell kind of books does she read? She was always an avid reader growing up. Fantasy and science fiction, if I remember correctly. Half her wall space in Scott’s house was books—massive-looking bookshelves we bought for her fifteenth birthday.
“Master loves his pretty girl and wants to fill her tight, little f—” “That’s enough,” I say quickly, reaching out for him. “Let’s get you back into your aviary, old man.”
She might think she’s immune to my charms, but I’ll prove her wrong. She wants a villain? Well, I’m the one who can give it to her—the guy who buys her flowers and burns the world for her.
Nice guys are just that—they’re nice. But I want someone who will be all-consumed by me no matter what.
“Look, we both have darker interests. We both find solace in the shadows and the complexities of the world, things that people like Chase and Liam wear proudly on their sleeves. It’s so easy to descend into that darkness, to let it consume us. But sometimes, if we’re lucky, we’re shown a light. My life wasn’t easy before I met Estelle. I never expected anyone to love me like she does. But … she does.”
“It’s rare, brother. But it’s also scary as fuck.”
want to tell her everything from the time we were apart. I want to confess my sins, drop to my knees, beg her to look at me with something other than hatred. I’d do fucking anything to be in her life again—even if just as her stepbrother. My heart broke that day, and life hasn’t been the same since. I miss her, sure. But I also need her. And that scares me so fucking much.
It’s so easy to descend into that darkness, to let it consume us. But sometimes if we’re lucky, we’re shown a light.
“Trust me, Layla. You’ll always be Orion’s first choice.”
“You’re mine,” he whispers, his words sinking deep into me, carrying both a promise and a warning. “And tonight, I’ll remind you exactly who you belong to.”
“Don’t you see? I’m kind to you. I’m generous—to you. Everything I do is for you, Layla. Doesn’t it bother you that I’d let the world burn to save you?”
It’s like he’s being burned at the stake—like he’s so used to holding back that touching me is a holy experience.
“Because I’ve been yours for a very long time without even realizing it.”
It’s about trust, vulnerability, and letting someone else see the parts that are usually hidden from other people. And Orion has seen every single part of me. Somehow, he’s managed to effortlessly carve out a space in my heart without me even realizing it.
“I know. And you know what? I realized that the people who matter the most are the ones who like you for who you are, not who they want you to be. It’s okay if you don’t fit into a certain group or if you feel like you stand out. Standing out is brave and strong. And I promise you, one day, you’ll find people who love you just as you are.
It’s a relief to be able to give him everything I have, and for him to see me how I’d always wanted to be seen by someone—without judgment or expectation.
“No, I’ll have my girl wrapped around me like a koala.”
It’s about him showing me that he’s changed, that he’s capable of being the person I need him to be.
“Thank you for choosing me,” I whisper.
