Page 60 of Uncrowned

I wanted her.

I wanted her more than I had ever wanted anything.

“Kiss me. Penelope, please. I can’t breathe without you in me.”

Her lips met mine and my world spun on its axis. I eased my fingers deeper, hitting the wall marking her virginity. Penelope cried out, spasming through her orgasm—stealing a bigger piece of me with every whimper and moan.

If there was anything left of me on the inside, I couldn’t feel it. Penelope consumed me—my air, my light, my sun, my fucking world. She was all I knew. All I wanted to know. And I was falling deeper into the void of no return. If I didn’t get control over myself again soon, I might never find my way out again.

CHAPTER 21

Penelope

I used to like the silence. I felt comfortable there. Safe, even.

I didn’t feel safe right now. I hadn’t for days. How could I when I didn’t recognize the man beside me? He wasn’t the same, and that was my fault.

“Don’t talk. Don’t remove the blindfold. You hear nothing. You say nothing.”

Anger. It coated every word that left Vaughn’s mouth.

Had I known pulling back after the best night of my life would have caused this cold, silent treatment from him, I might have handled the situation better. How was I to know that telling him it might have been a mistake would trigger such a furious response? He said we could stop. He seemed to understand.

Who was I kidding. I shouldn’t have used the word mistake. I hadn’t meant it. Well… maybe I did. I was confused, and I hated that I didn’t know what to do. I had to leave—I had to stop feeling things for him. I almost—I could have—I wanted him just as much as he wanted me, and I was in trouble. I was ready to give in to all these fears just to have him—give in to a life that was certain to hold impending doom.

The cold stone beneath my feet penetrated my very bones. Goosebumps tightened my skin, and screams sounded in the distance. The wail sent the hair on my arms standing on end. It had Vaughn holding to me tighter.

“You shouldn’t be here yet. I hate that I even had to bring you. Damn Redmond for getting us into this mess.”

There was strain mixing with the rage in his voice. We turned a corner and more sounds registered in the distance. People were talking. There was laughter and music. My brow creased, and Vaughn’s fingers flexed. We came to a stop as he cursed under his breath. Footsteps approached. The closer they got, the tighter he held.

“It isn’t every day I seem to catch you down here.”

“Lord Summerlyn. What a pleasant surprise. Perhaps you should come around more often.”

He laughed, lowering his voice.

“I would if I had the time, trust me. Is the auction still set for next Friday?”

“It sure is.”

“Perfect. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I hope you’re at this one.” A pause. “Speaking of which, look what we have here. That body is perfection. Will this one be in the line-up?”

Vaughn pulled me in closer. “This one is mine.”

“Damn. You wouldn’t be willing⁠—”

“No.”

The threat was clear.

“Right. Have fun. I have a meeting coming up. I’m going to be late if I don’t head out. See you at the auction.”

“I’ll be there.”

I nearly fell as Vaughn took off at a fast pace. I was practically running having to keep up as he dragged me behind.

“Lord Summerlyn comes here? You mentioned Lord Oxley the other night, too. Are you telling me there’s⁠—”