Page 145 of The Forbidden Note

His lips curve down my shoulder and move up the side of my neck, drawing out a full-body shiver.

“Because now I want to keep spending all my money on you.”

“What money? You act like you have so much, but aren’t you just spending daddy’s cash?”

His expression becomes a cold, cruel thing. I squeal when I feel him dip me and latch around his neck to stay balanced.

Zane grins behind his dark red mask. It’s the color of blood and passion. “Push me again and we’re going to postpone the plan as long as it takes to get you naked inside your classroom, do you understand?”

My body hums at the threat. I dig my nails into the fabric of his collar, my breath coming in hard, harsh pants.

Zane sets me upright. His smile this time is touched in victory.

I want to punch it off his face, but I’m too busy shaking.

He’s knocking me off balance again, incinerating my good sense and making wrong feel right. I know it’s not. I can feel when the light crawls away and becomes darkness. So why is it so much easier to accept the shadows and wrap myself in a black as thick as night? Why is it starting to feel warm here? Sweet there? Reasonable even, to live a life that most would shun and shame me for?

“I have my own money, tiger. You think we went on tour with Bex Dane and got a thank you note?”

My eyebrows arch.

He chuckles, but the sound is chilling. He runs his fingers down the base of the dress’s spine, following the threading of my corset. “Let’s not talk about something as boring as money.”

“How about we don’t talk at all?” I snap.

“Fine with me.” He dips his head and flicks his tongue against the base of my throat, right at my thundering pulse. “There are more exciting things you could be doing with your mouth.”

“Like praying to save your soul?”

“I’m afraid there’s no saving me.” He slides his hands up my waist, singeing everywhere he touches. “But you’re welcome to try.”

I’d fail.

I know that.

In the movies, good always wins.

But in real life…

It’s the opposite.

Zane’s darkness is the kind that envelops. Traps. Pulls you in before you even realize you’ve been devoured.

That’s why I can’t run away from him.

That’s why every attempt has failed.

Because that darkness has already become a part of me.

The music changes. The orchestra is playing along with a hip-hop track now, giving the song a modern, sexy take. It reminds me of when Cadence performed at the summer showcase. I attended the show before I got the job here at Redwood. The moment I heard the piano player, I knew it was Mulliez’s prodigy.

Just like Cadence was in disguise that day, I’m wearing a mask too. So why aren’t I taking advantage of it? When will I ever get to stand in the light with Zane Cross, amongst all the students of Redwood, and be free like this again?

The mental shift makes me bold.

Without warning, I press up and dance against Zane, moving my fingers over the back of his neck and skirting through his hair.

Surprise flashes in his blue eyes, but it only lasts a moment before he growls and moves his body in a way that snaps the breath out of my lungs.