Page 101 of The Darkest Chase

His father’s ugliness crawled down inside him and still whispers in his ear, telling him he’s no good. He doesn’t know he’s so right for me, it’s actually insane.

So no, there’s no telling him, not with words.

Only another way.

Stepping back, I break his hold and reach for his hand, lacing our fingers together. I tug his hand lightly as I walk to my bedroom, an open invitation.

To be with me.

To destroy me, if he must.

He could pull free so easily and storm away when we’re barely touching.

But he doesn’t.

With a rough breath, he follows, never releasing my hand.

My heart leaps, thunder building with a power that feels too great for my small body.

The power to make this man undone.

When I meet his eyes and realize it, I’m almost giddy.

He’s almost helpless with thirst.

That’s the strangeness I saw before.

This man is so lonely, so disciplined, that when someone reaches out and offers to break down his walls, how can he resist?

I hurt for him as much as I want him.

And as I step backward into my bedroom, crossing the threshold, I stop and tug on his hand to draw him in closer, then rise up on my toes and press my lips to his.

“Close the door,” I whisper before retreating deeper into the room.

There’s no turning back now.

Before I can second-guess, I catch the hem of my babydoll tee and pull it over my head, baring the cups of my bra in pink lace rosettes.

“Fucking pink all over,” he growls with amusement. “You’re a born tease, Shortcake.”

Blushing, I shake my hair loose from the shirt and toss it aside. I bite my lip, watching him and praying he’ll like what he sees.

There’s a trembling silence.

A dead moment where I worry Micah will turn his back and walk out the door, and in that moment, I love and hate the nerves eating me alive.

This impulse, this risk, taking a leap of faith instead of playing it safe—it could come crashing down right here.

I could find out the hard way that risks are never worth it.

But then he steps closer, prowling toward me.

His eyes are barely even human.

“Talia,” he rumbles, taking me into his arms and kissing me so hard my vision blurs.

He pulls me up until my feet aren’t on the floor.

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