Page 76 of Once A Villain

His scent is still all over me and the sheets—sex and sin; I swear it must be the devil’s cologne.

I cast a wary glance around his sprawling room, relieved to find it empty. Shifting to the edge of the bed, I carefully sit up, gripping the sheets as I ease myself out. I take a deep breath and shuffle toward the door, grabbing my towel from where it had fallen after the shower.

I open the door—and freeze.

Oh, fuck!

He’s standing right outside, smirking. Dressed in black jeans and a dark gray t-shirt, his well-defined arms and broad chest filling out the fabric.

“Well, well, good morning, little siren.”

His intense gaze makes my cheeks burn. I try to sidestep him, but his arm shoots out, blocking my way.

“I’m taking you to rehearsal,” he says, his eyes drilling into mine with a force that makes me want to melt into the floor.

“Why? I can drive myself,” I counter.

He steps closer, pinning me against the wall. My fingers clutch the towel around my chest like it’s the only thing keeping me upright.

“Because I said so.”

I swallow hard, my gaze dropping. He traces a bite mark at the base of my neck, and I can only imagine how battered I look.

I shove his hand away and duck under his arm, trying to escape the bedroom.

“Don’t touch me,” I mutter.

He grabs my arm, yanking me back with a grip that’s way too tight. “Do not walk away from me, Rory.”

“Fuck you.”

“You already did.Several times.” His thumb traces another bite mark on my shoulder, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.

“God, what are you now, a vampire?”

His grin stretches, teeth gleaming. “I’m just a monster who likes to mark his things.”

His hand slips into the towel, his fingers tracing the dried cum on my stomach.

“You’re a sick bastard,” I snap, trying to ignore the way my skin prickles under his touch.

“And you loved every second of it.”

The truth stings. I did.

I wrench myself free, stepping back and putting some distance between us.

“Hurry up and get ready,” he commands. “I’ve got a busy day.”

Ignoring him, I rush to my room, slamming the door behind me. Every movement aches as I drag myself to the bathroom.

The hot water is a fleeting relief, soothing my sore body. I want to stop thinking about Axe, but his presence invades every corner of my mind. The constant push and pull exhausts me. I want out—back to my old life, back to normalcy. But that's a fantasy now.

Everything about him confuses me.

His cruelty, his arrogance, his dominance—how the hell can I be drawn to someone so twisted?

He’s a monster.

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