Page 49 of The Psychopaths

It isn’t that easy, though.

“You keep saying that,” he murmurs, “but you haven’t left, haven’t run away or screamed for help. Part of me wonders…if maybe…” I don’t want him to finish that sentence because then I will have to face the fact that I’m choosing to let him touch me, choosing to be in his presence.

“Whatever you’re thinking is wrong. I don’t have to run to mean it.”

“No,” he agrees, “but you’re not pushing me away, either.”

He stands close enough now that the heat from his body brushes against me. Since I was sixteen, I’ve envisioned Aries doing these very things to me, whispering in my ear, touching me, and tempting me in sinister ways. It isn’t him doing any of those things, now, though. It’s his villainous twin brother, but my body refuses to acknowledge the difference.

Arson lifts his hand—slow, unthreatening—and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. I flinch, but it’s not because I think he’ll hurt me.

I flinch because he doesn’t.

“I’m not going to take anything tonight,” he says softly. “At least nothing you aren’t willing to give me.”

“I have nothing to give you.”

“Is that so? Then why are you shaking?” His fingers trail down the curve of my throat—light as a whisper, making it difficult to do anything but breathe. “You’re angry?” he confesses. “Disgusted? You hate me.”

I nod once, stiff.

“Ahh, but you’re alsocurious,” he adds. “And that’s what makes this so much worse.”

“I’m not?—”

“You are,” he cuts in gently. “And that’s okay. You’re thinking about how it felt. About the way you moaned when you thought I was him. About how you begged for more even when your mouth was full of my cock.”

I need to get away from him, away from the truth. Taking a step back, I collide with the bookcase. There’s nowhere for me to go, and he follows, his six-foot frame towering over me. I should find him terrifying and imposing, but there’s a strange comfort in his closeness.

“I didn’t know,” I whisper.

“But your body did.” His voice drops to a sensual depth. “It knew you liked it. And it knows now.” He leans in, his sensual mouth at my ear. I stiffen, but don’t run. “You can pretend it didn’t happen. Pretend I forced you. Pretend it wasn’t what you wanted, but no matter what we make ourselves believe, we both know the truth.” His fingers skim my wrist and then slide to my waist. The warmth of his touch burns into my skin, branding me. “You wanted it, and if I pushed you further, I have no doubt you would’ve given yourself to me completely.”

I hate it. Hate that he’s right. Hate that it’s him standing in front of me instead of Aries. Hate that no matter how much I deny it, my body still reacts, aching with a need that I wish would disappear.

Arson stands before me, confident and patient. His hazel eyes hold a gentleness in them that makes me want to crack him open and see what secrets he’s hiding.

As much as he and Aries look alike, I realize there is a distinct difference between them. He doesn’t drag me closer, doesn’t force me. Part of me wishes he would because that would make all of this so much easier. Every breath becomes a short pant, mylegs tremble, and my blood burns with desire that should leave me feeling ashamed.

“I’m not like him,” Arson whispers. “I won’t pretend I don’t want you. I won’t keep you at a distance toprotectyou, or because it’s therightthing to do.” He’s so close now I can feel his breath on my face.

“This is wrong,” I whisper. It’s my last effort to stop this before it gets out of control.

“It’s not. It just feels wrong.” He trails a finger down my arm, and goose bumps pebble my flesh. His touch alone causes my nipples to harden and my core to clench. There’s a dampness against my panties. I’m wet and aroused, and it’s not because of Aries. “Let me show you how good it can feel.”

His mouth brushes along my cheek. Not quite kissing—justthere, hovering, teasing. I don’t stop him as his hand slips beneath the hem of my shirt, dragging softly over the bare skin of my stomach. I should be ashamed, but there’s no room for shame when I’m as turned on as I am right now.

The muscles twitch beneath his fingertips, every nerve ending becoming hyperaware of him. “Do you feel that?” he breathes. “How your body leans into mine, even while you tell yourself this is wrong and that we shouldn’t.”

I’m not—” The lie falls apart in my throat when his fingers move higher, tracing the underside of my ribs.

Something dark flashes in his eyes as they meet mine. “Do you want me to prove it to you?” he whispers. “Is that it? Do you want me to take it from you so you don’t have to deal with the guilt and shame?”

Is that what I want?It would make all of this easier than admitting the truth to myself, but now that I’ve seen it, I can’t pretend anymore.

“If that’s what you want. I’ll do it. I’ll take your pleasure and force every moan and whimper from those pretty lips ofyours.” His next words set me ablaze. “Just say the word. There’s no need to be ashamed. I already know the truth. You want this. You’re starving, fucking desperate for my touch. It doesn’t matter that I’m not him. Think of it this way. If you were mine, you never would’ve been in a position to be this hungry for another man’s touch. I would’ve ravished you already, marked you, claimed you, made certain that no other man ever laid eyes on what is mine.”

I’m burning, consumed by a fire that Aries kindled, and Arson set ablaze, and I’m afraid that if I’m not careful, both of them will burn me to ash.

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