Page 7 of Absolution (Favorite Malady Trilogy #3)

ABIGAIL

“ I have something for you,” Dane says when we step into the bedroom at the penthouse.

“I don’t need anything else today,” I protest. “You already bought my ring. I just want to be together now.”

He guides me to sit on the edge of the bed and reaches for a small, gold gift bag that waits on the nightstand.

“I arranged for this to be delivered while we were out,” he explains.

“When did you possibly find the time for that?” Between our engagement and the almost violent scene at the rooftop bar, I can’t think of when he might’ve done anything else without me noticing.

His smile is indulgent when he urges me to take the gold bag from him. “You were distracted by the antique art at the jewelry store.”

“Sneaky,” I huff, but I’m not really annoyed.

He lifts a dark brow. “I prefer cunning. I’ll also accept ruthless. ”

I giggle, and the bubbly sound suffuses my entire body in an effervescent wave. I feel incredibly light, carefree and happy in a way I’ve never known.

Nestled within layers of gilded tissue paper, I find a long, slim velvet box. I peek up at Dane, hesitating. He’s already spent a small fortune on my engagement ring.

“Open it.” This time, it’s a stern command.

Whatever he’s purchased for me, my acceptance is important to him.

I snap open the lid, and I’m momentarily dazzled by the multitude of diamonds that lay on the silken interior of the box.

Dozens of small, marquis cut white diamonds are arranged in a pattern reminiscent of leaves on a vine.

They come to a delicate point in the center, where a pear-shaped pink diamond drips like the bud of a small flower.

If I put the necklace on, the pink stone would rest just between my collarbones, and there are enough marquis diamonds to encircle my neck.

“Dane…” I breathe, overwhelmed at the lavish gift.

“Don’t say it’s too much,” he warns. “I want to give you everything you could ever desire. I’ll give you the world, Abigail. Let me.”

I brush my fingers over the pink diamond, and it winks at me from its delicate rose gold setting.

“It’s beautiful,” I murmur, entranced by the multifaceted beauty of the gemstones and the artistry of the craftsmanship that went into making the stunning necklace.

“I thought the pink would complement your unicorn badge,” he says. “If you still want to wear it without your apron, that is.”

My eyes meet his, and I’m locked in his emerald gaze.

I remember our first date, when he mentioned that he’d noted my silly pins at the café. He said he knew I had a sweet tooth because of my lavender cupcake and smiling donut.

I’d been surprised and gratified at his attention to detail at the time, but now I know the depth of his obsession. Dane had made sure to learn so much about me before that date.

And yet, I don’t feel a flicker of horror or disgust at the thought. I don’t think I ever want to hear the extent of his stalking, but I accept Dane for all that he is. That means I forgive what he did to me. I want a future with him, so I’ll leave all that ugliness in the past.

“You don’t like it,” he surmises when I don’t say anything in response. “I’ll get you a different one. Whatever you want, name it, and it’s yours.”

I close the box and set it aside so that I can take both of his broad hands in mine.

“I love it,” I assure him. “Thank you.”

“You never need to thank me for anything,” he says with the weight of a decree. “And don’t mistake the gift for a sweet gesture. You should know by now how selfish I am. I want to see you wearing it.”

I smile and kiss his lips, which are set in a warning slash.

“How do you always manage to make gifts sound like a threat?” I tease. “You can relax, Dane. I accept. I’ll gladly wear something so beautiful, especially if it makes you happy to see me wearing it. That’s what I really care about: I want you to be happy. The rest is just stuff. I only need you.”

Abruptly, he picks up the slim jewelry box and tucks it into his pocket. Then he stands and strides across the bedroom, putting several feet of space between us.

“Show me.” It’s a dark command.

I’m reeling from his sudden distance after our intense conversation. “What?”

“Show me how much you need me.” He points at the carpeted floor between his designer shoes. “Get on your knees and crawl to me.”

My stomach flips, and I edge away from him. Lust fizzes through my system in a giddy rush—the fear-tinged desire only he can elicit.

“Dane…”

His lush lips tilt in a challenging smirk. “I do love when you say my name in that breathy little whisper, but that’s not how you address me when we’re alone, is it? Crawl over here and beg your master for your pretty new collar.”

I tip my chin back, meeting his cruelly amused energy with defiance. “You want me to debase myself for a few diamonds? My pride is worth more than that.”

His savage grin is sharp enough to cut. “Everything about you is priceless, my precious pet. But you will yield. One way or another, you will end up on your knees with this collar around your throat.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “I agreed to marry you, not obey you. That won’t be part of our vows.”

His low laugh is pure seduction, and I suppress the urge to shiver as it wraps around me like a palpable caress.

I won’t lose this battle of wills so easily.

Because as much as I crave to do as he commands, I want him to earn my submission.

He will have to force me to comply with his wicked demands.

“By the time I’m finished with you, you will sweetly crawl down the aisle and let me fuck you over the altar while you vow to obey me for the rest of our lives.”

My core pulses, but I keep my words acerbic. “You’re delusional.”

He clicks his tongue at me. “Psychopathic,” he corrects me. “I’m obsessive and ruthless, and I always get what I want. If I want you on a leash, worshipping at my feet, then you will oblige me. You chose me, Abigail. This is who I am. This is what I expect from you. What I will take from you.”

“So many threats,” I counter coolly, despite the maddening pulse in my clit. “But we both know that you can’t make me do anything. You’re mine , Dane.”

His smile is pure, evil delight, and his dark green eyes dance.

“Poor pet,” he mocks. “You want to come to me so badly. I can see it in your pretty blush and the way you’re pressing your thighs together.

Only your pride is stopping you from getting what you really desire.

You said it’s worth more than a few diamonds, but I’m not trying to buy it. I plan to take it. I will shatter you.”

I stand, shoulders squared so that I’m at my full height. I will not crawl.

Instead, I hold my head high and walk right past him—keeping a few feet of careful distance so that I’m not within easy reach. His low laugh follows me out into the open plan living room, and now that I’m out of sight, I allow myself a small shiver of giddy anticipation.

He doesn’t come after me right away. I know he must be planning something, drawing out my anxious anticipation. With every passing second, my body coils tighter, and my sex throbs in time with my thudding heartbeat.

I busy myself in the kitchen, putting on the kettle for a cup of tea that I don’t want to drink. My hands tremble slightly as I go about the menial task, just trying to give myself something mundane to occupy me.

I could flee the penthouse altogether, but I don’t really want to evade him. And I’m not at all certain that would stop him from dragging me back here kicking and screaming, no matter how much of a scene that would cause.

He strolls into the kitchen, and I pointedly keep my attention on the kettle. It’s taking ages to boil, and my fingers tap the marble countertop in a nervous, staccato rhythm.

“You don’t like tea,” he remarks.

I shrug. “Maybe it’s not for me. Maybe I plan to toss it in your smug face.”

He just laughs in response to my barbed threat. We both know I’d never actually do anything to hurt him, but he’s loving our dance on the edge of consent.

“It’s been too long since I tamed your sassy mouth,” he remarks. “Your punishments are adding up, naughty pet. You teased me in the park, you refused a direct order, and now you’re threatening violence against me. How shall I handle these infractions?”

“You won’t handle me at all,” I shoot back, reaching for the kettle.

It’s an empty gesture, but before my fingers brush the handle, he’s on me.

Like a striking viper, he grabs me from behind.

One arm is an iron band against my stomach, yanking me away from the potential weapon.

His other big hand clamps over my nose and mouth, muffling my scream and my ability to draw breath.

I kick out at nothing as he lifts me off the floor and drags me out of the kitchen. Fear spikes through my system in a lightning strike, crackling and dancing from my core all the way to my fingers and toes. I surrender fully to our dark game, fighting him like a wild thing.

My nails sink into his restraining hand like claws, but with each passing second, it becomes more difficult to draw breath.

My lungs begin to burn, and I jerk in his arms with erratic, desperate attempts to free myself.

I’m consumed by primal survival responses, and I slip deeper into my thrilling, fear-drenched headspace.

Darkness creeps in at the edges of my vision as we enter the bedroom, and my struggles grow weaker.

His low, cruel laugh winds around me like a subversive caress, so at odds with the violent way he’s holding me.

Even though I’m thoroughly restrained and helpless, he’s careful not to harm me.

I won’t so much as bruise from the careful cage of his iron grip.

Dane would never hurt me.

But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to put up one hell of a fight.

He wants me to crawl for him. He’ll have to earn that privilege.

I won’t surrender so easily.