Page 39 of Dark Encounter
"Stop it. Get off of me."
"Why did Cole want to talk with you?"
"My brother's gotten himself wrapped up in some shit with his fraternity, okay? It's nothing. I don't know the guy, and he was just questioning me." I pushed on his thick chest and triednotto look up into his eyes. He owned me in many more ways than I wanted to accept.
He gripped my chin and lifted it a little. "And that's it?"
"Yes." I pulled back, hitting my head on the shelf. "Ouch!"
"Stop pulling from me, and you wouldn't get hurt." He reached back and rubbed my head softly. "You've been avoiding me."
"Ditto, now, get the fuck off of me." I pushed at him again, gaining a little bit of space and taking advantage of it. I slipped around him and walked toward the foyer. "Leave me alone, Erik."
"Put your sweater back on," he barked from behind me.
I jerked around and threw the sweater at him. "Fuck you."
He smiled and licked at the side of his mouth. "If you think that prick of a cop is going to save you from me, you're wrong, kitten."
"I'm not scared of you."
He took three steps and trapped me against his chest, his arms strong, his hold almost painful. "You should be. I'm a monster of the worst kind. If you knew the things I'd done, you'd stop looking at me with that fucking loving look you keep using on me."
"I do love you. I have since the day you walked into this place." I pulled back, but he kept me trapped. Everything came flooding in at once. Jenna and Nate being happy and me not getting to see her much anymore. Thomas being scared for his life over something so insanely stupid. My mother hating me because I was strong, smart and successful so young in life, and now Erik. I was in love with an asshole that used me for sex and treated me like an annoying toy. Tears poured down my cheeks as I pushed and struggled against him. "Let me go."
"Hush." He turned us, pressing me back to the bookshelf as he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. I fought against him for a few seconds before pleasure raced through my system and I melted. Sliding my fingers into his hair, I lifted up on my toes and pressed deeper into the kiss, losing myself in the lie that he could possibly care about me too.
"Please leave me alone. You're killing me." I pulled back, but he held me tight.
"No. I just want you to fully understand that I'm not the man you need in your life."
"Then let me go." Another sob bubbled up in my chest.
"I wish I could." He leaned down and kissed me again, exploring my mouth as his breathing got off. There was so much more to the story than he was willing to tell me.
"You can." I pulled back again, breathless and aching for another long afternoon of him buried inside of me. It was the only expression of love I got from him. It wasn't nearly enough, but I was grasping for scraps.
"I'm a horrible man, and you're a good girl."
"I'm your good girl." I pulled back hard, and he released me. "And who's to say I couldn't be a monster too?"
"Would you do that?" He tilted his head to the side and studied me as he reached up and rubbed his lips. "For me?"
"Yes," I whispered. What the hell did I agree to?
"And you're not going to give up on this thing between us, are you?" He took my hand, lifting it to his lips and licked at my knuckles. "You want it too bad, don't you?"
"I'm not giving up, so why don't you just give in?" I was pushing too much, but I had to. If it didn't work out this time, I'd go to Cole and ask for protection from Erik and his family. If things fell apart between us, I'd probably need it.
"Grace," he moved closer, sliding his fingers into my hair and pulling a little, "Once you're in, you’re in forever. Do you understand? I show you my world and the only way out is through a body bag. You sure you're ready for that?"
"Does it mean having you?" I couldn't seem to find enough air to fill my lungs.
"Yes," he whispered roughly and leaned down, nipping at my lips. "If I'm what you want."
"Then I'm in. You're all I want." I lifted up and pressed my lips to his as he consumed me in a passion I didn't know existed.
What the fuck had I done?
