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he drapes one arm across the back of the couch, fingers nearly touching my shoulder, like he’s here for a date and not a home invasion.
“What’s his name?” His voice is still quiet, but it’s also different. A little menacing. “Wh-whose name?” His head tilts, and it reminds me of the nature channel when they show a wild animal stalking its prey. “The man who laid his hands on you. Tell me his name.”
“Says the stalker to the madman.” “I’m not her fucking stalker.”
Okay, arguably, this is the creepiest thing I’ve ever done. Standing in the corner of a sleeping woman’s room, watching her when she doesn’t know I’m here. Soaking in the scent of her. The colors and textures and expressions of her.
It’s a good thing I know that she put those shorts on for me. Because if another man sees her like this, I’ll rip their eyeballs out with my bare fingers.
“This is your one chance, Payton.” His voice is rougher than I remember. The deepness of it filling the room. “Your one chance to make the right choice. The only time I’ll let you tell me no.”
“Payton.” Her name comes out strangled. I can’t believe it. Why? Why would she give such an honor to me? To me?!
And maybe it’s because I’ve never been kissed, but it feels like he’s claiming me.
I don’t know anything about the man whose body is still draped over me, still inside of me, except his name. Nero. That’s not entirely true. I know that he was here when I needed him most. I know he took the reins I handed him. And, oh boy, did he do a good job.
With one final sigh, he stretches his arm out in my direction. “Come fucking cuddle with me.”
“Who are you?” “Ah, finally the right question.” I lean down, invading his space. “I’m Payton’s wrath. And you’re about to die.”
I can’t just ram the car off the road and kidnap Payton. I mean, I’d like to. I want to. But I won’t.
“If someone even thinks about putting their cock in you, I’ll slice their head off and put their skull on a pike outside your balcony.” I jerk my cock rougher. “So keep that in mind, my pretty little thing.”
I hadn’t realized… I hadn’t realized how unsafe I’d felt for my entire, pathetic existence, until Nero barged into my life. Then he wrapped me in his arms, holding my broken pieces together, and I felt safe. Safe! I wish I’d never known that feeling.
“You’re crazy,” I breathe. His hands dart out, gripping my ankles, and he yanks me down the bed. Again. Nero bends over me, putting our faces an inch apart. “For you, I’m fucking certifiable.”
“I’m not sorry about dragging you into this life with me. I should be. It’s hard and cruel and unforgiving, but you’re just as much mine as the dark is. And that means you belong here. With me.”
“If I decide I’m too good for Taco Bell, put a bullet in my brain and end my misery.”
“You know,” he says, when he sees where I’m looking. “Cinderella only left one shoe behind.” I fight my embarrassment by rolling my eyes. “Yeah, and Prince Charming didn’t break into her home to find her.” Nero grins. “The villains always have more fun.”
Meet a guy. Have sex twice. Fall in love. Move from your tiny crummy apartment to this multi-million-dollar house and claim partial ownership.
She doesn’t smooth out my rough edges. She fits into them. The soft to my hard. My better half, in every way.
