Page 34

My life with Remo fucking sucked. And even though I wasn't here by choice, I still felt safe, untouchable. Safer than I was outside these walls, safer than I'd ever be with the man who bought my body.

As I sat on the edge of the bed, I swept my feet back and forth against the floor. My fingers slipped over the fabric of my borrowed dress, tracing the designs.

It really was a beautiful dress. The deep blue reminded me of the ocean on a bright day, the small flowers speckled over the skirt had a touch of an oriental hand.

Whose it was and where it came from started to twirl around inside my head. It could have come from another captive woman, or it could have been worn by someone who hadn't seen the light of day in years.

Whoever this belonged to obviously didn't need it anymore.

The thought made me cringe. Because I could easily have the same fate, I could disappear tonight and this dress could end up on someone else tomorrow.

The door creaked open over my shoulder, knocking me out of the horrible images plaguing my mind. “You're awake, good. Want breakfast?” Holding a plate, Dante walked over and placed it on the bed. His broad shoulders were tucked snugly into a fitted black t-shirt, jeans replaced the gray pants from last night.

I felt myself start to blush, my skin warming to his presence. He had touched me, he had given me the best orgasm of my fucking life. My sex began to tingle, growing wet again with just the sight of him.

Still stroking the dress, there was an overwhelming need to know where it came from. I wasn't sure if I was going to like the answer or not, but I couldn't keep wearing it if it was a garment of darkness.

“Whose dress is this?”

“Doesn't matter.” Walking to the bed, he stopped as he watched my eyes scan the silky blue material.

“Did it belong to someone who's dead?”

Frowning, his eyes tore from mine. “Yes.”

“Did you kill her?”

“No.” Snapping his head back up, his face was intense and serious. “Enough questions—here, eat.”

I had struck a nerve. But pressing him about it could end ugly, so I stopped. I didn't need to cause myself any more beatings . . . Or worse. I've seen what he could do.

Smiling with thin lips, I shook my head. “I'm still not hungry.”

“You need to at least try and eat something.” Pushing the plate closer, he sat opposite of me on the bed. “It's mostly canned fruit, and I threw on a few crackers. We don't have much here, I'm never usually here this long without prepping for it.”

His body language changed, muscles relaxing as he let my wonder and curiosity slip away.

But I couldn't look him in the eyes, there was more I needed to say. A tender flutter stormed my stomach, making me feel like I had to say something about what had happened between us. “Look, last night—”

Holding his hand up, Dante cut me off. “Was for you.” His thumb brushed under his strong jaw, rubbing the stubble. “You don't need to explain it away, just let it be.”

“I . . .” Glancing around at everything but him, I said firmly, “I just don't want you to get the wrong idea. I was emotional, scared, had a gun pointed at my face . . . I wasn't thinking straight.” Finally letting my eyes connect with his, I swear I saw a shimmer of disappointment glaze his eyes.

But it didn't last long, it faded into thought and disappeared behind his rough exterior.

Smirking, his teeth broke through his lips as he started to laugh. “You weren't thinking straight, so that's what last night was?”

“Yeah, that's exactly what it was.”

“You can tell yourself that. But you want to know what I saw?” Leaning closer, Dante grabbed a grape off the plate and held it to his lips. Slowly the tip of his tongue drew tight circles over the ridge, flicking it as if it was a woman's most delicate part. “I saw someone who needed to feel something other than just the shit from the night. I saw a girl who was begging to be taken and wanted it just as much as I enjoyed giving it.”

Cocking my head, my jaw hung open. “That is not what you saw!” Raising my voice, I felt it crack against the back of my throat.

My mouth felt dry like I had been sucking on cotton balls for hours. Swallowing hard, I tried to stop my ribs from aching. My heart was pounding in my chest, slamming around like a caged bird that needed a way out.

The pain in my jaw started to throb, beating against my cheek. Rubbing the tender area, I tried to massage the ache away. What I didn't feel last night was definitely showing itself right then.

His chuckle cut through my bones. Arching his head back, he popped the grape into his mouth and made a soft moan. “The juice is dripping down the back of my throat, are you dripping yet? You're blushing like your pussy is on fire right now.”