Page 19 of Blood
I give a nod. I refuse to justify anything to him. He doesn’t know the whole story, anyway. He doesn’t need to. I can handle this.
Dante gestures toward the door. The brunette has disappeared down the hallway. “That one of yours?”
I shrug. “She gives good head. I’m done with her, though. You know I don’t like to reuse my things.”
He chuckles. “Same here. I don’t usually take sloppy seconds, but maybe I’ll fuck her later.”
I shrug. I don’t give a fuck what he does with the slut. I don’t even know the girl’s name.
Dante strides toward the door, all business again. “At the risk of sounding like your fucking mother, clean up your goddamn mess before you play with anymore new toys.”
My jaw tightens at the mention of my mother. I was never the perfect kid, and my parents and I always had a strained relationship. I didn’t really understand the reasons until recently. Now that I know why, it makes perfect sense. It also means that I don’t give a fuck about what they thought of me. At any rate, the last thing I want to discuss is my mother, but I know better than to get into it with Dante.
He slams the door behind him, leaving me alone in my big fucking apartment with my big fucking mess.
15
Everleigh
Wolfiswatchingme.My eyes are on the book in my hands, some old novel that was on his bookshelf, but I’m barely concentrating. I can feel his stare. His gaze is so intense that it’s almost like he’s touching me.
God, I want him to touch me again, and how fucked up is that? This man killed someone, kidnapped me, and has made me his hostage. The way he took me in the woods was brutal and unforgiving. I should want nothing to do with him.
I’m usually good at putting up walls. I can keep myself at an arm’s length when it comes to almost everyone, especially men. It’s better that way. Safer.
But with Wolf, my body has other ideas. It’s been deliciously sore for the last couple of days, and he hasn’t touched me while I’ve recovered from the ruthless manner he fucked me. But now that the soreness has faded, I’m aching in a whole different way.
I can’t let myself get attached to him, even if it’s just physical attraction. I can’t open up to him or leave myself vulnerable. He’s a ruthless killer. I know this.
But I also know he wants me just as much as I want him. I can try use that to my advantage.
I let out another sigh, all breathy like some goddamn Disney princess, and reposition myself on the couch. I pull my arms in, pushing my boobs together to maximize cleavage. I watch him out of the corner of my eye. His eyes narrow.
It’s a dangerous game I’m playing. I know that. But there’s a power in being able to push a man. Being able to get him to the point where he wants you so badly that he can’t help himself. Up until now, he’s had all the control. I need some of that power. I want the upper hand, just for a while.
I lower the book to look at Wolf. His eyes are dark, heavy-lidded with lust. I bite my lower lip as I make eye contact with him and hold it.
“What are you doing, princess?” His voice is dark, gruff.
I smile in what I hope is a sultry way. “Nothing. Why?”
He lets out an evil-sounding laugh. “Oh, I doubt that. Just be careful, little rabbit. You’re playing with fire, and it’s easy to get burned.”
“Maybe I like it hot.”
I want to get burned by Wolf. I want him to lose himself with me. I want to have that control.
He leans toward me, and I part my lips in anticipation.
Then, there’s a scuffling sound. We both freeze.
I hear it again, coming from near the door.
“What the fuck was that?” I whisper.
“Language.” His voice is low as he listens intently.
The sound comes again, closer this time. It sounds like scratching now, like tiny claws on a—
