Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
“Thank you,” I whisper, barely able to keep my voice from wavering.
What would have happened if Duke hadn’t stumbled upon us?
A shiver slithers down my spine.
Unfortunately, I know exactly what would have occurred. He would have made good on every single promise.
Duke’s brows pinch together as he glares in the direction Jasper stalked off. It’s almost like he expects him to make a reappearance. Truthfully, so do I. Jasper is nothing if not persistent.
His gaze resettles on mine. “I got worried when you didn’t return.”
“Sorry. I…” My voice trails off. I don’t want to admit that I went looking for Austin.
Duke’s expression softens. “I’ll talk to Kingsley about it in the morning. He can let Jasper know that he’s no longer welcome.”
Relief courses through me at that knowledge. Now I need to figure out what I’m going to do once we return to Hawthorne.
What Jasper’s actions have slammed home tonight is that he will never leave me alone.
DELILAH
My eyes fly open as I’m ripped from sleep and my wrists are shackled before being forcibly dragged above my head. A dark face looms above mine as a scream gathers in my throat.
Any second, it’ll burst free.
I’m so afraid Jasper has ignored Duke’s warning and found me. And this time, there won’t be anyone around to stop him. I blink away the sleep as moonlight spills in through the open window, casting both light and shadow across the brawny figure.
After the encounter with my ex, I scrambled back to the house and retreated to my assigned bedroom before stripping off my clothing and sliding between the sheets. Even through the closed window, I could hear the faint wisps of music and the occasional drunken shout.
“Did you enjoy yourself with him tonight?” comes a deep growl that sounds like it was dredged from the bottom of the ocean. Pent-up fury vibrates through every syllable.
Austin.
Relief sweeps through my body, weakening my limbs. No matter how angry he is, he won’t hurt me.
Not in the same way Jasper would.
“You have to know that I wasn’t with him willingly.”
He snorts. “How fucking stupid do you think I am?” His grip tightens around my wrists as he presses them further into the mattress. “Every time I turn around, you’re at his side, allowing him to touch what belongs to me.”
“You’re wrong. You didn’t see everything that happened. Only what you wanted.”
He bares his teeth. “Stop fucking with me. I’ve already told you that I’m done playing games, and that’s exactly what you and Jasper are intent on doing. Just admit it.”
I shake my head, wishing he would stop and listen for one damn minute. “I had no idea he would be there.”
He cocks his head and sneers. “If that’s the case, what were you doing alone in the woods if not looking for a hookup?”
I gulp. As loath as I am to admit the truth, there’s no point in lying. “I was trying to find you.”
He studies me silently in the darkness before lowering his face and ghosting his lips over mine. The caress is far gentler than his expression or tone. “What for? Were you afraid that I was with someone else?”
I lift my chin. “Yes.”
“What would you have done if you’d found me with another girl, Delilah?”
Good question.
It’s one I asked myself while searching the little forest. Thankfully, I didn’t have to answer it.
“I’m not sure.”
He nips at my ear. “Want to know the truth? I hate myself for wanting you so damn much. Especially when all you’ve done is lie and make a fool out of me.” He pauses. “Maybe if I screwed another girl, I’d be able to get you out of my system, but here’s the problem—I don’t want anyone else,” he finishes with a snarl. “I only want you.”
His words both chill my skin and set fire to my blood. It doesn’t make sense.
“Austin, please.” My tongue darts out to moisten my parched lips. “If you would—”
He pulls away enough to stare into my eyes before shaking his head. “I don’t want to hear any more lies. I’m done with them the way I wish I could be done with you.”
As soon as the words leave his lips, he releases my wrists. My breath comes fast and heavy as he rolls to the side of the bed. Before I can question his intentions, he yanks off the covers and grips the elastic band of my panties before ripping them from my body and tossing them to the floor. Much like he shackled one wrist, he does the same to my ankle, dragging it wide until he can settle between my outstretched legs.
Tell him no.
Not like this.
But the words refuse to budge from the tip of my tongue.
The truth of the matter is that I’ve missed Austin this past week and I want him desperately.