Twisted (Never After, #4)

by Emily McIntire

“You make it hard for a man to leave when you look like that.”

a cold reminder that even if I was able to trick her into staying with me—force her into it— nothing when it comes to Yasmin and me is real. Even if it feels like it is. Even if she’s the only one who’s seen my darkest parts and still decided I was worth a shit.

I don’t want to give her back. Even temporarily. I’d rather keep her in this bubble we’ve created, one where she lets me touch her and I don’t hate that she’s touching me, and we can pretend, even for a little bit, that this is more than what it is.

“I’m going to fuck you with my tongue until you can’t breathe.”

“If I want to be your daddy, then I’ll take you over my knee again.” My eyes flutter, leaning into his warm touch. “If I want to be to your husband, I’ll keep you at my side.” His thumb caresses my cheek. “And if I want to be your lover, then I’ll kill the boy you love.”

“Don’t you know I’m yours?”

“It’s easy to get lost in something when you’re cut off from everything else,” he says, straightening up and pressing a chaste kiss to my temple. “Tell me again when we get back home, and maybe I’ll believe you.”

Ugh my heart he doesnt believe her

I’ve known for a while now and just haven’t allowed myself to think about the fact that when it comes down to it, the things that used to be important to me pale in comparison to her. I don’t give a single fuck if I inherit Sultans. Couldn’t care less about the lost lamp. Not as long as I get to keep her.

If I stand here for long enough, I wonder if I could fill myself with her.

“He’s got all your firsts, and that’s something I won’t ever get. But I don’t want them,” I whisper against her mouth. “I don’t care to have your awkward moments or your shaky promises and your fumbling hands. And do you know why?”

“Because I don’t love you like he does.”

“My love for you is dangerous.”

“I would kill anyone who looked at you. Anyone who dared to even breathe too close.”

“I want your blood and your anger and your violence and your lust.” My thumb brushes against her bottom lip. “I want your smiles and your tears and your insolent fucking mouth.”

“I want to reach into your chest and hold your heart in my hands, making sure it only beats for me,” I rasp. “But I don’t want your firsts, Yasmin. I want your forever.”

“You’re an angel, gattina. And I’ll break your wings just to keep you by my side. So do us both a favor and walk. The fuck. Away.”

“I’m in love with you, Julian Faraci. And I would burn the world myself if it meant I could keep you by my side.”

“Don’t interrupt me while I’m staring at my wife,”

“Time to put that smart mouth to work, gattina.”

“Crawl to me,”

“Crawl to me, amore mio. Show me how bad you want it.”

“You are so fucking perfect. And so fucking mine.”

She could burn Sultans to the ground with me inside, and I’d die happily, knowing she was queen of the ashes.

I want to make sure she knows that if she isn’t in my world, it isn’t worth living.

“I fell in love with her, and I won’t apologize for it.” Julian looks at me. “I’m not sorry for loving you. I’m only sorry it took me so long to realize that I did.”

“You think I’d allow death to come for me when I knew you were out there with another man?”

“I would do anything for you, including setting you free. Don’t you get that yet?”

“I don’t want to live if it isn’t with you.”

I’ve spent my entire life feeling less than. I spent countless years and killed numerous people, all to work toward gaining the upper hand and becoming something more. Who knew this whole time, all I ever needed was her. My wife. And she makes me feel like the most powerful man in the world.

“I told you once that I don’t want your firsts, but I have a confession to make.” My heart skips with nerves. “I lied.”

“I want your awkward moments. And your fumbling hands.” I slide my hand from hers, up her side until I’m gripping her hip, and I pull her into me, my face pressing against her stomach. “I want your laughter and your love and your endless fucking light. I’m a greedy man. A selfish one. And I want it all. I want the rest of your firsts and your forever.”

“Don’t you know yet, gattina? I would do anything for you. Burn this life down to the ground and build a whole new world if you demanded it.”

“To a new world then.”

“Our new ...