I Promise You (Dare #2)

by Shantel Tessier

“You can’t do this to me!” I push harder and hear a cracking sound, but I don’t stop. “You’re mine!” I remind her. Her body jerks from my harsh movements. “Austin!” I scream her name so loud that my dry throat burns. “Baby … please …”

She was nothing but a beautiful shell that I once wanted to break. Destroy. If she will just fight for me, I’ll love her more than any man ever could. Broken and all. ’Cause I’m not sure she can come back from this. Even if she survives, she may never be the Austin I fell in love with. “Bennett?” I ask, changing the subject.

I wonder what he would think of her if he knew her secret. The only thing is that I’m a part of that secret too.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” I whisper, blinking a couple of times. “I just need you to wake up.” I run my free hand over her forehead. It’s the only place that I can really touch on her face because there’s tape over her cheeks to keep the ventilator in place. “Just wake …” A knot forms in my throat, and I try to swallow it. “And I’ll take care of you.”

she ended up turning the tables on me and made me fall in love with her. She made me need her more than she ever needed me, and I hate that I couldn’t admit that to her sooner.

A door opens to my right, and I see Demi walk out of her room. She looks at me with disgust. “Never tell someone how you feel twice. That bitch heard you the first time.” Then she walks past me before walking down the stairs.

that I can do better. Be better. You’re gonna love me, Austin Lowes, no matter what I have to do to get you back after I hurt you for the last time.

“I love you, Austin Lowes. And I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you sooner.” Those beautiful green eyes begin to well with tears. God, she’s so gorgeous. “You’ve changed me, sweetheart. And I’m gonna do everything in my power to protect you and take care of you.”

There’s no doubt that Becky is beautiful. The only problem is that she knows it, and she uses it to her advantage. I just never realized how much she played with people until now. I may have secrets, but I don’t pretend to be something that I’m not.

I can be your fucking god—merciful. Or I can be the fucking devil—ruthless. Who I am depends on the person’s actions.

“I need you,” I pant, pulling away from her lips. Pride is no longer a concern when it comes to my love for this woman. Her eyes search my face before they land on mine. “Whatever you want, Cole. I’m yours.” I hate how willingly she gives herself to me. I’ve made this gorgeous woman bleed for me, and she forgives me. Just like that. See, I told you love equals madness. Because she is just as mad as I am. I grab her right arm and slowly kiss the scar from where I took a knife to her flawless skin. She yanks it back from me and cups my face with both of her hands, forcing me to look at her. “Stop!” she demands. “Every love story demands a sacrifice.”

“You once told me that you wanted to make me a beautiful broken doll, Cole. All yours to play with. All yours to fuck. All yours to destroy.” She licks her lips. “Don’t go soft on me now.” She leans forward and runs her tongue along my lower lip, and I shudder. “Cole Reynolds is a fucking shark. You …”