Page 80 of Uncrowned

“I said leave! Get out!” I grabbed his pillow, throwing it at him as hard as I could. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I reached to the bedside table, grabbing my glass. I pulled at the blankets. I was just about to try to flip the mattress when Vaughn’s arms wrapped around me from behind.

“Stop.”

“Get off!”

His voice was smooth but demanding.

“Calm down.”

“Never.” I sobbed, turning to hit into his chest. Where I had every intention of fighting, I felt myself hold and pull down. I was pulling him towards me, crying, needing.

Vaughn’s mouth met mine with a heat that had me clawing into him. He was tearing at my clothes, just as I was to him. Where fear flickered as he pulled my dress over my head, I didn’t care. I’d hurt a million times over, so long as he didn’t stop.

“Vaughn.”

His shirt hit the ground, and his jeans quickly followed. He laid me on the bed, covering my body with a ferocity that brought relief. Our tongues met, and I wrapped around his neck, holding on as he moved his hand down between my legs. His fingers traced over my pussy. I cried out, digging my nails into the back of his shoulder. He rubbed around the wetness, moaning so deep that I felt it everywhere. It was the sexiest sound I’d ever heard, and it left me shifting impatiently. Vaughn’s hand drew back, and his cock stretched me as he began to inch inside. I jolted at the burn, feeling Vaughn freeze.

“Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”

His body went rigid. Vaughn pulled back to meet my stare. He was panting, and his eyes were wild.

“Fuck. Shit.”

“Please. Vaughn.”

“You wanted to wait. You wanted⁠—”

“I changed my mind. I don’t want to wait anymore. I want you right now.”

His lids squeezed shut, and I shook him with all the harbored anger I held.

“Don’t you dare stop now. I want you. I thought you wanted me.”

“Penelope—For fucks sake. You don’t understand.”

“Then tell me. Talk to me. Tell me as blunt as you can because I’m fucking dying here. I’m losing my mind.”

He tried to lift, but I locked my legs around his waist, holding around his neck with everything I had.

“Let go.”

“No. Not until you tell me why you won’t be with me. Why do you keep leaving? Why are you avoiding me? I tell you I want you, so it can’t be that. I tell you to let me go so you can find someone stronger. You refuse.”

“You know too much about The Order. I couldn’t⁠—”

My arms dropped, and I pushed him off.

“I know too much?”

“You did not let me finish. Even if I wanted to change my mind, you’ve seen The Order. You know how it works. I couldn’t leave you if I wanted to. Which I don’t. My guards⁠—

“Leave.”

I pulled up the sheet, wrapping it around me.

“I’m not leaving.”

“I guess the loyalty part of those vows were bullshit. I can’t believe how naïve I’ve been.”