Lights Out (Into Darkness, #1)

by Navessa Allen

Oh, I’d fucked up. I’d fucked up bad.

Wait, no. I needed to stop right the hell there.

Oh. Fred was her cat. My jealousy deflated, and I unclenched my hands from where they had a death grip on the arms of my computer chair. Wow, okay. This knee-jerk rage was new. And probably not a good thing. I’d have to keep an eye on it. I might not want to hurt Aly or her cat, but the thought of another guy in there with her had sent me straight to kill-him-with-knives.

I lifted my eyes just in time to watch Aly drop her phone on the comforter and place her head in her hands. “I need so much more therapy than I’m currently getting.” I grinned, because same.

Aly was fucked up too. Hallelujah.

Stop that. Bad hand. We’re not doing this.

My entire life was devoted to caring for others. I wanted someone to take care of me for once. I wanted someone to want me. No, need me. I wanted a man so obsessed that he hacked into cameras to watch me when he couldn't sleep. I wanted him to monitor my

location data, order me a home security system so no one else could break into my house, and threaten to murder anyone who hurt me. I didn’t want him morally grey. I wanted someone with a soul as black as night. Someone who would burn the world down for me and not lose a single minute of sleep over it.

I was throwing them away to try and break his bad habit.

looking embarrassed about her imitation of a boa constrictor.

“Punch him in the face,” I told an unhearing Aly. “Bash his head against that glass panel.” “Oh, no, you’re right. It’d be much better to strangle him with the cord of that machine you’re reaching for.”

“We need to work on your social skills, buddy. Imagine if Mommy and Daddy acted like you and ran in here screaming every time we got home.”

My unmodulated voice.

“How’s this?” I asked a purring Fred, dropping my voice as low as I comfortably could. “I am Batman.”

Our maladjusted son who just scooted his butt across the carpet behind you.”

What I was about to do to his mother, no child should see.

“Fuck, Aly. You can’t tell me things like that.” “Why not?” I asked. “Because every time I see you, I’m gonna know you’re wet for me,” he rumbled. “It might be this blindfold, but I don’t see the problem here.”

“We have the next two weeks off together. Now that I know that, all I want to do is keep you locked in this house, naked.” “Smash. Next question.”

“I meant what I said earlier,” he told me, stroking his fingers through my folds once more. I gasped as he clamped them around my clit, having flashbacks to the edging. “This pussy belongs to me now, Aly, and I protect what’s mine.” And they said the perfect man didn’t exist. “Yours,” I agreed.

It was not, in fact, a cakewalk.

computer screen, ready for me to enter

Yeah, this place was definitely haunted. What had Mom told me to do if I ever encountered a ghost? “I mean you no harm,” I whispered. “Who are you talking to?” Aly asked, making me jump. I clutched my chest, trying to relearn how to breathe. “Uh, no one, sorry. Just looking for Brad’s phone.” “Want me to come help?”

“Like when we’re at that Airbnb we booked in the mountains, I want you to chase me down and fuck me in the woods like an animal.” It was my turn to choke on nothing. Yup. Yes. I could definitely do that for her.

Six months ago, I wouldn’t have believed it possible, but since then, I could think of several times that I’d been dicked so good I’d briefly forgotten how to do basic things like walk unaided or solve simple math equations.

He grinned, looking pleased with himself, and threaded his fingers through mine. I didn’t miss his glance down at my hand. Or, more specifically, the ring on it. “We should consummate our engagement when we get back.” “I need a shower first,” I said. “I have river sand in unmentionable places.” He chuckled. “Same. And you should probably look at this cut. I think it might be serious.” He lifted his other arm and curled his fist inward like he was posing. There was a tiny scratch on the inside of his bicep. “See? Right here.” He flexed, making his muscles pop. “Do you see it?” He flexed again. It was my turn to laugh. “Yes. It looks like it might be life-threatening. We better hurry.” He slapped my ass.