The scent of strawberries and pine leached down my throat and sat heavy in my lungs, making the simple act of breathing an impossible task.
One hand gripped my thigh tight enough to leave bruises while his other curved around my nape, tilting my head back, allowing him deeper access to my throat.
There was no space left between us now, his torso smashed against mine and the bulge in his pants rubbing against my open center.
I was drowning in him, and the worst thing about it all was how much I still wanted this…
My teeth bit down on his tongue hard, and blood bloomed instantly over my tastebuds.
He reeled back with a growl, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, making him look more feral than before. He angrily wiped his mouth on the back of his hand, which only smeared the blood across his face.
A slow, manic smile spread his bloodied lips. “You know that doesn’t count as ‘stop’, right? Your safe word is black widow. Or have you forgotten?”
I hadn’t forgotten. It just hadn’t occurred to me to use it. Would he listen if I did?
I opened my mouth to say it. No words came out.
Fucking hell, I was seriously messed up for not wanting this to end. “You don’t deserve me.”
“I never said I did.”
He stepped forward again, and I spat at him, gobs of blood and saliva flecking his face. His smirk widened. “Don’t give me that, little human. You’re acting like you don’t want me, but you haven’t used your safe word yet.”
“I want the person you pretended to be. The person I thought I was giving my soul to.”
“Iamthat person.”
“Fuck you, Belial.”
I squirmed harder against his bonds, and he shook his head, tutting. “Admit it. A part of you is enjoying this.”
His eyes dropped to the small puddle that had already formed between my legs.
“I’m naturally wet, asshole. You know how many panties I have to go through on a regular basis back home? Trust me, it wasn’t because Mark was some stud.”
At the mention of my ex, Belial’s gaze turned sharp.
What I said was true, but usually, I wasn’tthiswet. He was right; I did like being tied up. I found that out the night he’d manacled me and fucked me with the wine bottle.
“You want to touch me? You want me toenjoyit?” I bit out. “Then get on your knees and beg for my forgiveness.”
“Beg?” He looked like every bit a king would when told to beg for anything.
“Yes, beg! Because a simple apology isn’t enough. You broke my heart, you son of a bitch!” My voice cracked, and bitter tears filled my eyes. “You need to do something for the pain you’ve caused, and you can’t do it with your dick, Belial.”
I wouldn’t have believed the demon lord was capable of regret—not for his own actions, anyway—if it wasn’t for the fact that it was carved plain as day into his marred features.
“Even if you accepted my apology, it would be yet another lie.” He shook his head, the chains dangling from his antlers jingling with the motion. “Because I’m not sorry for making you mine, just for the way I was forced to go about it.”
“You could have told me—“
“Oh, bullshit, Rayven,” he cut me off with a humorless laugh. “If I had revealed I was the Lord of Bones, you would have never trusted me to help you through the labyrinth.”
“And for good reason, you snake!”
He took a step back, his eyes full of thoughts. “What can I do to earn your forgiveness?”
“Remember that cliff where you tricked me into giving you my soul? Go jump off it.”
