For Wrath and Redemption (The Hometown Heartless)

by Brit Benson

To the well-intentioned but misunderstood⁠— Even if they can’t forgive you, forgive yourself. You deserve your happily ever after.

Fuck her for being right. Fuck her for seeing me so clearly yet getting it so fucking wrong, too. I

“The queen’s the most important piece on the board, Davis. Sounds to me like that’s you.”

I’m attracted to her shadow and captivated by her trauma. Drawn to darkness and pain.

This isn’t a game anymore. It’s war, and the stakes are high.

He may have handed me the match, but I’m the one who struck it and set everything ablaze.

“Of course you’d like it. Of course, you fucking would. You just had to do it, didn’t you?” “Do what?” My voice is hoarse, and I can feel my throat vibrating against his palm. From the way his eyes flash, he likes it. He leans in close, bites my lower lip, and slips his other hand down the front of my panties. “Be fucking irresistible.”

I get no peace from Claire Davis. I am in so much fucking trouble. Fuck her for being so fucking tempting. Fuck her for being everything I dream about. But fuck, do I want to fuck her.

The way her eyes widen and that red tint colors her cheeks bring a satisfied grin to my face. Affecting her is my current drug of choice. It’s too bad she can’t replace the pills completely.

Of all the women I’ve met, why does this one have to be the one who fucks with me? Why here? Why now? Supreme temptation. It’s my punishment. Claire Davis could be my penance, but I’ll be damned if I admit my sins out loud. They’re mine and mine alone to contend with. No atonement, then. Just pain.

“You’ve got to earn it.” I wrap my hand around my cock and stroke. “How will you earn it, Trouble?”

I can’t help but feel like a murder-suicide was just committed. He sliced me in half, then fell on the same sword.

“Thank you, Mr. Hendrix. You were stunning.” The weight of her is gone from my body. I’m panting. I’m fuming. I’m so fucking hard that I could cry. “This isn’t funny, Claire. Finish what you started.” “I did.”

want to merge us together. Melt him into me. I want his cells to be my cells. Permanent.

“Falling in love feels like falling to your death.” “Jesus. Then why do people do it?” “Because it’s the revival that feels so sweet.”

“I hope you’re prepared. I’m going to love you so fucking hard, you won’t know what hit you.”

This is healing. They are my purpose. This right here. This is my redemption.