Page 79 of Royal Havoc

Narrowing daggers at his pouty face. “Stop acting like a bitch, and maybe I will.”

He lunges forward, smashing are lips together. A jolt of electricity shocks my core, turning me into a frenzied mess. Suddenly, it’s too much and not enough. All of my nerve endings crackle like static, begging to touch and be touched.

He ends the kiss too soon, his lips hovering close to mine. “Did that feel like a bitch?” he taunts evilly, moving back as I lean forward.

“If you tease me again, I’m gonna rip your —”

He scoops me over his shoulder before charging to the bedroom, throwing me on the mattress hard enough I bounce. Our only light is the small lamp I left on, on the nightstand.

His chest rises and falls as I watch him toe off his untied boots. My insides quiver, screaming for his attention, begging to be taken in the best possible way.

Vex prowls towards me, raking his eyes over my heated skin, causing my wetness to leak into my panties.

Showing me the knife he pulls from his pocket. “Please cut me loose,” I beg, hardly recognizing my shaky voice.

“Who’s the bitch now, little spade?” he teases as he cuts my feet free and yanks off my boots. “Don’t make me regret trusting you,” he warns deeply.

“My hands,” I rasp, starting to turn on my side.

His hand stops me, pressing me onto my back. “Only good girls get to touch.” Ripping open the button of my jeans yanking them off.

Before I can speak, he’s destroyed my panties, throwing them on the floor. Next, his shirt is added to the growing pile, my mouth watering for a taste of his sculpted abs.

He steps between my legs, spreading them wide, putting me on full display for him. Out of nowhere, panic strikes, turning me into a tingly mess.

“Vex, untie me,” I plead, yanking at the rope, trying to wiggle free. “Seriously, I can’t…” All the air deflates from my lungs.

“Onyx, hold on. Wait,” he orders, trying to turn me on my side. “Breathe, damn it,” he orders as he cuts through the rope.

I shoot up instantly, lost in the dizzy spell plaguing me. Trying desperately to catch my breath, sitting in the middle of the bed, freaking out.

forty-one

Roses Are… Black

Vexen: 2024

Some things you never forget. No matter how hard you try, they’re fused to you, almost like a second skin.

For instance, her hair always smells like SweeTarts. Her nose crinkles before she yells. She scratches at her thigh when she’s nervous. And, all the caramel in her sexy eyes fades to black when she panics.

“Breathe, rosie,” I whisper, climbing behind her on the bed, pulling her back against my chest. “You’re okay. We’re in your room. You’re safe,” I assure her quietly, letting her feel my calm breaths.

She draws in a couple of deep breaths and releases them slowly. “I’m sorry,” she whispers, cupping her face.

Gently, I force her hands away, taking them in mine. “Shhh, don’t hide from me.” Wrapping both of our arms around her. “I’ve got you, rosie.”

She exhales. “No one’s called me that in years,” she sniffs.

Resting my chin on her shoulder. “If I ever hear someone call you that, I’ll rip out their fucking throat.”

Her head falls back against my shoulder, and I feel her start to relax. “You’re so possessive.”

Nipping her earlobe. “Because you’re mine.”

She tries to hide her giggle, pulling away from me. “Says you. I don’t remember agreeing —”

I move quickly, letting her fall beside me on the bed as I crawl to hover over her, straddling her legs. “You yelled at me for bringing you black roses. I told you boys hated brats. You forced Hendrix to bring you to the house that night. What did you tell me?” I ask, holding her in place.

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