Page 56 of Devil’s Promise

Goldilocks wasn’t the brightest, but if there was one thing she wasn’t, it was a runner.

He grunts, his lips curling into a small smile. “True. But why? Why haven’t you tried to escape?”

Why is he asking me this now? We’re texting. These messages are public in their own way.

I don’t want to escape.

His brows furrow in confusion. “Why not?”

It’s none of his business. He’s not my confidant, and I’m not arming him with any of my intentions. I shrug and then start for the guest room. Tomorrow I’m getting married. I need my beauty sleep.

I hear Angel following and I pick up the pace.

I ought to know better. I’m only encouraging him to chase, and we both know that Angel likes a challenge.

He moves faster too, and I trot down the hall, my short skirt swishing around my thighs as I go.

I just need to make it to the door and then…

His arm lashes around my waist, my back crushed to his chest. “Where do you think you’re going?”

I swat at his arm, making it clear his touch is not welcome. But he doesn’t let go. Instead, he buries his nose in my hair.

The yo-yo treatment is getting old and I shove at his arm, demanding that he release me, but he still doesn’t listen. “I told you in the club, I want to hear you cum.”

I smack harder.

That’s when he lifts me off my feet, carrying me into the bedroom.

I twist and squirm, trying to get out of his grip, but he only rumbles into my ear, “I like it when you rub all over me like that.”

I go limp in his arms. He only drops me on the bed, his front coming to my back as nuzzles my ear. “I’m going to touch you until you beg me to make you cum.”

I shake my head, my face rubbing into the blankets. He’s probably right. I can already feel my resolve weakening as the bulge of his erection presses into me. He feels so good.

But something about feeling good makes the words well up into my mouth, struggling to get out. I don’t want to loosen anything. Because the more words that escape, the closer to the surface the feelings come.

He pushes my hair up off my neck and kisses along my spine, his weight holding me down.

His lips tickle and I feel the goose pimples rise.

“Stop.” The single word is out before I can hold it in.

He pauses then. “I told you, I want to hear yes from your lips.”

I look back at him, the accusation in my eyes. He doesn’t deserve a yes.

“Go ahead, Promise. Tell me to fuck off.”

I shake my head, my lip trembling as my gaze holds his. But for the first time in a year, speaking seems more significant than silence. “Yes requires trust. We don’t have any.”

His jaw flexes, his eyes shuttering. And then he’s up, off of me, and striding toward the door. I roll over, watching him go.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Angel

Her words are like another punch in the gut, though I can’t quite tease out why.