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He leans in to kiss my temple. I flinch before I can stop myself. His eyes widen, confused, but I say nothing. I don’t need to. He gives me a pleading look, and I realize he’s expecting me to play along. Expecting me to continue to pretend to be his girlfriend, despite ending our relationship on the beach earlier today. All for show.
I fucking hate asher now
My grip squeezes around my wineglass. “What?”
He tilts his head, studying me. “Just wondering how long you’re going to let him treat you like an afterthought,” he whispers.
“Careful, Ari. If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to start thinking you want me to ruin you right here in this restaurant.”
Are we playing a little game of cat and mouse? Because I think we’ve established that I’ll always catch you.
You’re all talk. Let’s see if you can walk the walk, big guy.
Game on, angel.
I’m waiting.
I don’t even get a response. Fifteen seconds later, the bathroom door crashes open.
“Did you kill him?” I ask, my voice raspy. “Did you murder that insurance guy to avenge your wife and daughter?”
He chuckles, and the sound sends a flash of hot energy through me. “Yes. I killed him.” I can hear the pulse rushing through my veins, but before I can react fully, Maddox takes a step back. “Does that scare you?”
“No,” I say quickly. “But… why me? Is it just because I remind you of your late wife?”
“Not really. You have the same fight as her, but you’re different than she was. Do you want to know the truth?” I nod, and he swallows, like the truth will cause him pain. “When my mom sent me a picture of you, I couldn’t stop looking,” he finally says, his voice low, rough around the edges. “I kept staring, wondering what you’d be like—how you’d move, how you’d speak. There was something in your eyes, something strong. But the picture didn’t do you justice. It never could.”
“I’ve always been drawn to strong things,” he continues, his voice quieter now, almost thoughtful. “Not just anything with power, but things that endure. Things that have been broken and still piece themselves back together.” His lips curve into something that’s not quite a smile, something more like understanding. “Things like me.”
His gaze flickers over my face, lingering like he’s memorizing me. “And you… you’re stronger than you realize,” he murmurs. “Maybe that’s why I couldn’t look away. Maybe that’s why I already know I won’t be able to stop.”
“Because I can feel it already—the pull, the need. And it has nothing to do with the way you look, though I must admit, you’re even more beautiful in person.” His voice drops even lower, almost a whisper. “It’s you. And I think I’ve been looking for something like you for a long time.”
“If I wasn’t mistaken, I’d say the fact that I killed someone arouses you. Because your cunt is weeping for me, little warrior.”
“Shut up and fuck me,” I hiss, rolling my hips against his hand.
The sound of his belt coming undone echoes through the small bathroom, and I gasp as the thick head of his cock presses against my entrance, stretching me just enough to send a shudder rolling through my body. Then, my mouth drops open in a silent scream as he thrusts into me with one hard push—deep, unrelenting, filling me completely.
