Page 37 of I'm Not in Love (I Promise)

Her car is in the driveway and the house is dark. It won’t be difficult to find her, though. I start by doing my normal rounds around the property, checking that she’s safe. When I’m satisfied that no one has tried to harm her, I peek into each window, one by one. The thing I love most about these old houses… the ease of opening windows.

Blake’s in the living room, curled on the couch with her feet under her while a fire burns in the fireplace. She’s on the phone, laughing. I curl my fists, wondering who she’s talking to. It’s nice to see her smile though. She’s been down lately, too much work and too little play.

Once I hire that PI, it’s me and you all the time, baby.You won’t remember what it’s like to be alone.

She finishes her conversation and spends a few minutes sipping from a mug and scrolling on her phone. I wonder if she’s reading our messages? My curiosity gets the best of me so I pull out my phone and text her.

Me: It’s the perfect night for a fire.

She adjusts her feet and sits up, looking around the room. Her expression isn’t one of fear, it’s more anticipation.

Blake: Where are you, stalker?

Her and her nicknames. The list keeps growing.

Me: I’m working. Just wanted to check in and see if you’re still wet from earlier.

I watch her shake her head and pull her hair into a messy bun. I hope she keeps it like that, I’d love to give it a hard tug.

Blake: I’m not wet… completely dry all over.

Not for long.

I can’t wait to hear her gasp my name. My real name this time.

She lets the fire burn down to a few embers then heads toward her room. Once I’m certain she’s not coming back, I pull the window open and climb inside. Warmth surrounds me and fuck, it feels good. I’ve been soaked for the better half of the day and the cool air didn’t make it any better.

Shrugging out of my hoodie, I lay it beside the fire to dry, then do my nightly ritual of checking the house. Leon may be focused on the empty club but my focus is right here. If there’s people after us, it’s only a matter of time before they find Blake. I won’t let that happen.

Satisfied that all is well, I linger outside Blake’s door and listen. The only sounds I hear are the occasional ticks of the heating system and steady barrage of rain against the roof. The long day of classes and being stuck in the rain wore my angel out. I almost feel bad disturbing her. But she wanted this when she provoked my jealous nature. She’ll learn that I mean every word that I say. Without making a sound, I sneak into her bedroom.

I’ll never get over how perfect Blake looks asleep. She’s on her back, clutching a pillow to her chest, her hair above her head like a halo. Her face is serene, those pert lips slightly parted and releasing slow, steady breaths. One leg is stretched out on top of the blanket and her oversized T-shirt rides up her thighs.

She’s in the perfect position.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

BLAKE

Gasping,my eyes dart open but all I see is inky blackness. I take stock of my limbs, attempting to move them, but I’m restrained.

“What the hell?” I yell. “Damon? Are you in here?”

My arms are tied above my head, I assume attached to the headboard or some other anchor, and my legs… They’re spread wide enough that my muscles are pulled taut. I thrash from side to side, whimpering. This is not my idea of fun sexy time, not at all.

I feel movement from the end of the bed and my heart pounds frantically. “Damon? Answer me.” Cool air reaches my exposed flesh causing me to shiver. I’m overcome with emotion. Fear, anger, lust. So much that tears leak onto whatever blindfold covers my eyes.

“Shh,” he finally says. He drags a finger along my inner thigh and I shudder. “Don’t cry, Angel.”

“Damon, what the hell? Take this shit off me.” I sniff and try to gain control of myself. This isn’t the first time I’ve been in a situation like this. I was in high school. He was older, he didn’tlike that I fought back, so he made it impossible for me to move. By the time he was done with me, I didn’t care to move anyway… I stayed curled in a ball for hours. “Please,” I cry.

He’s silent but I feel his solid weight as he positions himself over me. I breathe in and bring my mind to a different place. A happy place where Damon is just a normal boyfriend. I’m not fourteen anymore, and this is different. Damon is different. My body relaxes slightly, but I’m still on edge.

“I wish you could see how perfect you look spread for me like this. This cunt is all mine, Blake. You’re going to learn that when you’re good, you get rewarded.” He drags his finger up my thigh and between my legs. The rush of fear I felt minutes ago turns into something else entirely. A throbbing ache that grows with each filthy word from his lips. I try to arch toward him, though the smart part of my brain tells me to do the opposite, but the restraints are too tight.

“Please,” I beg. This time for an entirely different reason. The heat of his hand hovers over my sex, so close to where I want him.

“You want me to rub your clit? Make you come?” His voice is as strained as my body.

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