Does It Hurt?

by H.D. Carlton

“Because I feel so much for you, Sawyer.”

“Is it hate?” she croaks, trembling beneath my touch. “I don’t hate you,” I say. Another kiss. “And you deserve to have a life. A real one.” Kiss.

“Come back with me, bella.” Kiss.

“Is that what you really want?” she asks, her voice hoarse. “What will I do then? I have no way to support myself wi—” “You’ll work for me.”

“Absolutely not. I will not get in the water with those… those beasts.”

”Despite what I did to you on the boat, I have no interest in turning you into shark food.”

“That was really shitty.” “It was,” I agree, feeling the regret I swore I’d never feel. “Most would say shittier than you deserved.” She raises her brows. “Would you say that?” After a pause, I admit, “Yes. You didn’t deserve that.” Her eyes narrow. “Then say you’re sorry.” My gaze falls to her parted mouth, those pink lips puffy and smooth, before returning to her baby blues. “I’m sorry,” I murmur, letting her see how genuine I am. Because I am sorry.

“I don’t forgive you,”

“Not until you properly apologize to me,” she finishes.

My brows lower, and I straighten, resting on my knees while I silently stare, waiting for her to explain what she means. “You’ve been an unbearably raging asshole to me this entire time. Yes, I fucked up, but you’re, like… really fucking mean, and you’ve hurt my feelings more than I care to admit.” I nod slowly. “You’re right.”

“If you want me to stay with you—choose you—then I want you to get on your knees and apologize for how you’ve been treating me,”

I suck my bottom lip between my teeth, trapping the flesh and biting down hard. An insidious feeling is rising in my chest. It’s dark and wicked, and it makes me want to fucking smile. I want to grab her by the throat and unleash every one of my darkest desires onto her flesh—with my teeth, my hands, and my cock.

Because fuck, am I proud of her for making me beg for her forgiveness.

pain, but I find no satisfaction in her misery. No, the only thing I want to see when I have her trapped between my teeth is that bright fucking smile.

I drop to my knees, my blood heating when her lips part, an almost inaudible gasp slipping free. “I’m sorry, bella,” I start, keeping my voice low and serious while I look up at her, ensnaring her gaze within my own.

“I’ve been punishing you for something you didn’t do—something beyond stealing an identity. I’ve been making you hurt because I’m hurt, but you’re not the one who broke me. And it was never my right to break you.”

Can she see a man falling in love with a little thief? Can she see that I don’t want to but will submit to it anyway? Just as I’m submitting to her now.

“You’re not the one who broke me, either,” she whispers finally, settling back onto my eyes. “No, but that didn’t stop me from trying.”

I wanted to take all her broken pieces, and fucking shatter them—turn them into dust so she could never be whole again.

“You are good enough, Sawyer. You’re nothing like I said you were, and everything I said you weren’t. You’re strong and brave, and above all else, you’re admirable.”

Her eyes become glassy, and she looks away, blinking rapidly while crooking her finger beneath her eye. “Can you, like, not make me cry right now, please? I’m trying to look like a badass.”

“Will you forgive me, bella?” I ask, my tone hushed.

“No,” she declares, but the corners of her mouth curl, and there’s a mischievous glint swirling in the depths of her irises. “I want you to kiss my favorite toe first.”

“Kiss it, Enzo.”

“If worshiping you is what you ask, I’d be happy to spend the rest of my life on my knees,” I tell her, my voice dipped so low, it’s nearly unrecognizable.

“Would you cater to my every need, no matter what I ask of you?” “You will need for nothing, amore mio. Ti darò tutto.”

then feel her coming closer, bending at the waist until warmth fans across my ear. My fists curl, clenching tightly to abate the need to grab her by the hair and fling her over my shoulder so I can show her just how well I will cater to her. “Good boy,” she whispers, her voice sultry and teasing.

“Does this mean you’re going to be nice to me now?” she asks, giving me another mischievous smile. I feel my lips twitch again, but I manage to refrain. I do plan on giving her everything, just not today. “I will never be nice to you, bella ladra,”

“Didn’t the nuns teach you manners?”

“They didn't tolerate disrespect. But I didn't tolerate authority. It took many years for us to find a middle ground with mutual respect.” “Until now,” she corrects. “Now I have the authority.”

“Well, that apology was very big of you, Enzo,” she compliments. “But you can, like, get up now.”

“I’m going to get some water, and then… then I’m going to, like, sleep or something. But tomorrow, I want to look for the beacon.” I dip my chin. “For us both to leave,” I push, wanting to hear her agreement out loud.

“For us both,”

“Lay down. I’ll get the water and some medicine,” I order her, my voice raspy with carnal need. I give her another once-over. “Maybe find some pants while I’m gone. I can smell your pussy from here.”

Her mouth drops. “You are so sleeping on the floor tonight.” For her, I would.

“Hey, Enzo?” “Hmm?” “I’m glad that you found peace. At least until you met me,” I say, ending with a sardonic snort. There’s a brief pause before he lets loose the softest chuckle, causing my stomach to somersault. “You’re right. You’ve brought chaos into my life.” And then, finally, he closes his hand around mine, squeezing back. “I like it, bella.”

“I can get on my knees again and show you a blessing from a different type of god,” he purrs, his accent thickening and only making the words sound more salacious.

“You would sooner give yourself a concussion trying to fuck me in here rather than actually making me come.”

I can’t let Enzo and his big dick distract me.

“I’ll trust you can handle yourself, Sawyer. But the second he takes it too far, or I feel you are in danger in any way, no more. I’m stepping in, and I’ll fucking kill the man. There won’t be any sneaking around then.” My mouth parts in shock, and my eyes round. He’s serious. Absolutely serious.

“I wanted to formally invite you to stay here.” After a weird pause, he tacks on, “With me.” I think I clear my throat again, but I’m not sure over the sound of my heart beating. I'm not even sure why I'm so damn nervous. All I have to say is no thanks. Easy. “Wow,” I breathe. “That's so generous of you.” He nods, like he already knows that. “The thing is, I think it'd be best if I go back home and, uh, sort my shit out.” I end that with a strained chuckle. He frowns and strokes his bushy beard. “I don't think that's too smart. Sounds like you got yerself in a bad situation. Best ya stay here.” He pats my thigh like the decision has been settled on, then goes to get up. “Uh, well, thanks for the input, but I’m leaving,”

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live freely. You won’t even have a need for money no more.”

“Yeah, I appreciate that. Totally. But I think I’ll be okay.” I try to soften the blow with a smile, but there's a darkness emanating from him. The hairs on the back of my neck rise, and an ominous feeling invades whatever fragile peace Sylvester and I had. Adrenaline slowly releases into my veins, kicking up my heart rate as Sylvester stares at me. “I’ll tell them who you are if you go,” he threatens, his tone deeper and severe.

“I imagine if the people after you are as powerful as you claim, they'll be very interested to hear about your whereabouts. I suspect you’re runnin’ from the law and ain’t nothin’ stopping them from extraditing your arrest.”

“Why would you do that?” “I want you to stay here. I could give ya a comfortable life if you'd allow me to.”

“By blackmailing me?”

“Ya know, any other fugitive would be chomping at the bit for an opportunity like this,”

“Yeah, like those prisoners you killed?” I mock. “What makes you think I'm a fugitive anyway?”

“Aw, come on, I may be old and a bit behind on the times, but I ain't stupid. You expect me to believe that a young lady like yerself hasn't done illegal things to get by?”

“Prostitutin' yerself, no doubt. Maybe even stealin' from people. Either way, you ain't free of sin. And I bet them cops would be happy to hear about your whereabouts.”