Page 53 of Vicious Little Darling

I swallow the rejection, confusion riddling my mind. “Oh… Um… Right… But…”

He leans his head into the nape of my neck, kissing my neck. “I can see how sore you are, too. Let’s give it a rest. We can fuck all night tomorrow.”

I nod, pulling away from him. “Yeah, sure. Okay.”

I try to hide my disappointment and hurt from him, but I know it’s written all over my face.

“I think I’ll go take a shower then.”

He nods, his eyes downcast and avoiding mine. “I’ll make dinner.”

As soon as I walk away from him, fresh tears slip down my cheeks.

Does he think there’s something wrong with me now?

Chapter Twenty-Five

JAXTON

God, how I want to fuck her. I stare at the ceiling, my cock so fucking hard it hurts. I’ve had blue balls since she came on to me yesterday evening, but the moment she got her fingertips close to the wound—which is close to healing, I was immediately reminded that while I’m giving her all the truths she’saskingfor, I’m not giving herallof it.

I should just tell her.

I turn my head to take in the sight of Ember, her face peaceful and thick lashes closed tightly. Ever since I turned her down, I’ve noticed her pulling away from me. I hate it. I hate the way it’s pushing us apart.

My phone vibrates against the nightstand, and I pick it up, seeing a text from my uncle.

Roman Marks: Bring her to lunch. 12:30PM. I want to meet her.

“Fuck,” I mutter, running my hand over my face. I flip through the other notifications, noting that I’ve missed seven calls from my mom. I sigh, and do the one thing I should’ve done a long time ago…

Block her.

I set the phone back on the nightstand and turn to Ember, wishing I could give her what she wants. But there’s still a lingering concern that she’ll know I almost killed her—and even thoughIknow I’m never going to try that again, she’s not going to understand. With that thought, I flip the covers off and head for the bathroom, hoping to relieve more than just my fucking bladder.

I lock the door behind me and strip down, noting that the hamper in the corner has Ember’s clothes on top. I make my way to the top of it and find her underwear from yesterday. I wrap them around my shaft and lean back against the counter, stroking myself in rapid succession.

But it’s not enough.

I wanther.

I grimace as I grow more and more frustrated with the entire situation. Had I just not fucked her with that stupid fucking mask, things would’ve been way easier between us now. How long will it take for her to forget about the masked man?

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I toss the underwear back into the hamper, and jump into the shower, making quick work of it. My hard-on is relentless, but I do my best to ignore it. I catch sight of the healing gash on my side. It’s better, but it’sstillreally noticeable. I rub my brow as I pull on a black T-shirt and dark wash jeans.

A light knock on the bathroom door draws me from my thoughts. I walk across to unlock and open it. Ember peers up at me with sleepy eyes, slightly squinted and her hair a mess. She’s fucking gorgeous.

“Sorry, I just didn’t want to barge in on you,” Ember says, her voice groggy.

I lean down and tip her chin back for a kiss. “Never. You can barge in anytime you want. How’re you feeling this morning?”

She lets out a light sigh. “Fine, I guess.”

“Good, get dressed, because we’re meeting my uncle for lunch today. He wants to meet you.”

Her eyes widen, and she suddenly appears wide awake. “What?”

---