Xavier releases my wrist before grabbing my hand and lacing our fingers. I drop my gaze to our joined hands, my lips thinning. This is the way a boyfriend might show affection to his girl, a small physical intimacy that announces to the world that they’re a couple.
I might be called a bride, but we arenottogether.
Oblivious to my thoughts, Xavier pulls me forward and deeper into the forest. Ahead is nothing but darkness occasionally pierced by the moonlight. We walk in silence, but my thoughts are loud.
What is he going to do to me?
I steal a glance at him before averting my gaze. His face is a mask of concentration that gives me no insight to what he’s thinking. I tell myself I don’t want to know, but it’s a lie.
He fascinates me. In some twisted way, this man with his tenacity and arrogance has piqued my curiosity. I want to know why he’s so intent on having me. Is this just about sex? Power? Or both?
Nerves ripple along my arms and up my throat, making my lips part. “Are you going to rape me?” I blurt out.
Xavier stops and whips around to face me. “Is that what you think?”
“Honestly, I don’t know what to think.”
He studies me for a moment, his gaze digging into my soul. “No, Delilah. I’ll never rape you. When it comes to sex, you willchooseme.”
I jerk back, tugging on our joined hands. He tightens his grip and pulls me closer. I glare up at him.
“No, I won’t.”
“Yes, you will.”
“How can you be so sure?”
He leans down and places his lips next to my ear, and his warm breath skims the side of my neck. I resist the shiver his nearness creates.
“How do I know?” he murmurs. “Because the cum on my hand tells me so.”
My face heats, and the sensation spreads to the rest of my body. I can still taste his kiss, feel his touch on my skin. On my clit.
I squeeze my thighs together, hoping my skirt hides the telltale movement. “Are you using me for some weird kink?”
“No.” He gazes down at me and slowly shakes his head. “This isn’t just a kink.”
“Then what is it?”
“A need.”
His tone is soft, but his admission is like a slap in the face. I stand there with my lips parted in surprise while my mind tries to make sense of what he just told me. Is this just a sexual need?
Or does he needme?
“We’re almost there,”Xavier says.
I squint, not recognizing the trees in front of me. That isn’t surprising, considering I ran through the forest like a bat out of hell.
All for nothing.
Tears of frustration gather in my eyes at my failure.
He stops and releases my hand to put his mask back on. I watch him, silently debating whether or not to make a run for it. It’s a stupid thought, but I can’t help it.
I’m so fucking scared. Of everything. Him. The order. The ceremony.
If I try to escape, Xavier will catch me. And then he’ll fuck me with everyone listening. Or even watching. I don’t want my first time to be like that.
