Page 83 of Give In

Damien moved from between my legs and got off the bed, heading toward the door. “Go to sleep, Eden.”

I launched up, my body still thrumming and coiled tight. My eyes hit him just as the room went black, but it was enough time to see I wasn’t the only one needing release.

Dragging my thoughts out of his pants, I threw my arms out despite the fact he likely couldn’t see me in the dark. “Are you kidding me? I can’t sleep right now.”

The covers were tugged from under me before the bed dipped. His arms wrapped around me, positioning my head on his chest. I was about to repeat my complaint when he spoke, his voice quiet and his lips pressed against the top of my head. “Maybe next time I tell you something, you’ll listen.”

“I couldn’t have quit, I’d have lost—”

“That’s not what this is about.”

“Then why am I being punished?”

His fingers tangled in my hair, playing with the stands like we were lovers discussing our day. “This isn’t a punishment. I’m doing what you said.” His hand fisted, a pleasurable tug radiating across my scalp as he moved me until we were nose to nose. With his lips just barely brushing mine, he whispered, “I’m leaving you alone.”

If I’d wanted to take the words back when I’d first said them, I wanted to choke on them right then. Or maybe choke him. I wasn’t sure which.

I did know one thing.

“You’re insane,” I said.

“Probably.”

“No, not probably—definitely. Only an insane person uses… sexual manipulation!”

“I’m wounded, Eden,” he said, though I could hear the amusement in his tone. “I’m merely doing what you wanted.”

“No, if you were doing what I wanted, you’d… You know what, never mind.” I shifted, intent on getting dressed and going home no matter what ridiculous hour it was. “I’ll do it myself.”

Damien moved faster, wrapping his strong arms around me. Pulling me close, he repositioned me with my head on his chest. “You do that, my depraved angel, and youwillbe punished.”

If this isn’t considered punishment, I don’t want to know what is.

“You’ve had a long night, you need to get some sleep.” His tone was stern, but the concern in his words and the way he held me were almost… sweet.

Holy shit, I really am a mess.

At a loss for words but stubborn enough to want the last one, I muttered a snarky, “Could’ve done that just fine in my own bed.”

A swift smack landed on my ass, heightening my arousal that’d only just started to wane. “Attitude, Eden.”

“Whatever.” I turned in a huff, but Damien followed, his large body curving around mine, his thumb stroking lightly on my stomach.

“Yeah, whatever,” he said, a low chuckle lacing his words.

He’s enjoying this.

Pressing my lips together, I gave up on getting the last word, refusing to play his game.

I’ll wait until he’s asleep and then I’ll leave.

As the silence stretched, my body began to loosen, unknotting from all the stress and sexual tension that’d wound it so tight. I tried to cling to my anger, using it as a shield. A makeshift cover to hang in front of the mirror.

But exhaustion took over, weakening my defense as I drifted in and out of sleep despite my efforts to fight it. Giving up, I snuggled into Damien’s arms and surrendered to the darkness.

The darkness of the night sky.

The darkness of midnight eyes.