Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 123575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 618(@200wpm)___ 494(@250wpm)___ 412(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 618(@200wpm)___ 494(@250wpm)___ 412(@300wpm)
“I didn’t know,” I whisper.
“But your body did.” His voice drops to a sensual depth. “It knew you liked it. And it knows now.” He leans in, his sensual mouth at my ear. I stiffen, but don’t run. “You can pretend it didn’t happen. Pretend I forced you. Pretend it wasn’t what you wanted, but no matter what we make ourselves believe, we both know the truth.” His fingers skim my wrist and then slide to my waist. The warmth of his touch burns into my skin, branding me. “You wanted it, and if I pushed you further, I have no doubt you would’ve given yourself to me completely.”
I hate it. Hate that he’s right. Hate that it’s him standing in front of me instead of Aries. Hate that no matter how much I deny it, my body still reacts, aching with a need that I wish would disappear.
Arson stands before me, confident and patient. His hazel eyes hold a gentleness in them that makes me want to crack him open and see what secrets he’s hiding.
As much as he and Aries look alike, I realize there is a distinct difference between them. He doesn’t drag me closer, doesn’t force me. Part of me wishes he would because that would make all of this so much easier. Every breath becomes a short pant, my legs tremble, and my blood burns with desire that should leave me feeling ashamed.
“I’m not like him,” Arson whispers. “I won’t pretend I don’t want you. I won’t keep you at a distance to protect you, or because it’s the right thing to do.” He’s so close now I can feel his breath on my face.
“This is wrong,” I whisper. It’s my last effort to stop this before it gets out of control.
“It’s not. It just feels wrong.” He trails a finger down my arm, and goose bumps pebble my flesh. His touch alone causes my nipples to harden and my core to clench. There’s a dampness against my panties. I’m wet and aroused, and it’s not because of Aries. “Let me show you how good it can feel.”
His mouth brushes along my cheek. Not quite kissing—just there, hovering, teasing. I don’t stop him as his hand slips beneath the hem of my shirt, dragging softly over the bare skin of my stomach. I should be ashamed, but there’s no room for shame when I’m as turned on as I am right now.
The muscles twitch beneath his fingertips, every nerve ending becoming hyperaware of him. “Do you feel that?” he breathes. “How your body leans into mine, even while you tell yourself this is wrong and that we shouldn’t.”
I’m not—” The lie falls apart in my throat when his fingers move higher, tracing the underside of my ribs.
Something dark flashes in his eyes as they meet mine. “Do you want me to prove it to you?” he whispers. “Is that it? Do you want me to take it from you so you don’t have to deal with the guilt and shame?”
Is that what I want? It would make all of this easier than admitting the truth to myself, but now that I’ve seen it, I can’t pretend anymore.
“If that’s what you want. I’ll do it. I’ll take your pleasure and force every moan and whimper from those pretty lips of yours.” His next words set me ablaze. “Just say the word. There’s no need to be ashamed. I already know the truth. You want this. You’re starving, fucking desperate for my touch. It doesn’t matter that I’m not him. Think of it this way. If you were mine, you never would’ve been in a position to be this hungry for another man’s touch. I would’ve ravished you already, marked you, claimed you, made certain that no other man ever laid eyes on what is mine.”
I’m burning, consumed by a fire that Aries kindled, and Arson set ablaze, and I’m afraid that if I’m not careful, both of them will burn me to ash.
“Don’t say things like that,” I whisper, and gasp when his thumb brushes beneath my breast, making my frayed nerve endings tingle.
“Why not? It’s the truth. Sometimes the truth hurts. Deny it all you want, sweetheart, but you’re desperate for attention, for touch, so much so that even the enemy is starting to look desirable.”
“I’m not, and I don’t want you.” I grit my teeth, trying to hide behind the lie.
“Sure you don’t. I believe you. Just like I believe that you aren’t clenching those pretty thighs together, trying to find any little bit of friction you can to elevate the ache in your core.”
Oh fuck. He can read me like a goddamn book. Every reaction. Every breath.
“Arson…” I say his name, and I’m not sure if it’s to tell him to stop or to keep going.