He Knows When You’re Awake: A Naughty or Nice Novel

by Alta Hensley

“This necklace makes me want to do dirty things. Raw, unhinged things,” he admits, his voice barely above a whisper. “It makes me want to see what you’d look like surrendering. I think this necklace could unleash the inner beast in anyone.”

“You do realize it’s slightly unsettling that you know my exact measurements?” “I know everything.” He pauses. “That sounded less ominous in my head.”

I want to watch the diamonds rest against your throat while you remember who put them there.

“Stop apologizing.” His hand slides to my waist, pulling me closer. “Stop trying to be perfect.” His lips brush my ear, then trail down my neck. “You’re more interesting when you’re not.”

“What I want . . .” His teeth graze my collarbone. “Is to take you right here, surrounded by your sketches and scattered gems. To watch you come apart on this table where you create.”

“You’re mine,” he says again, his words threading through the haze of overstimulation. “Mine to claim. Mine to punish. And if you ever try to run out on me again, it won’t be just my finger in your ass.”

If he touches what’s mine, I’ll remind him exactly who he taught me to be.

“What can I say? I like seeing you when you’re sleeping . . .” His arms slide around my waist. “Next to me. And I want to know when you’re awake . . . when you aren’t next to me.”