Page 87 of Blood and Thorns

“Fine, read to yourself then.” She went to swing her legs over the side of the bed, but my hand on her thigh stopped her. “I didn’t agree to be your prisoner.”

“You did. You wanted an escape for your pathetic life, and that’s exactly what I gave you. Don’t come crying to me now that you’ve decided this isn’t what you want.”

“I agreed to pay off my father’s debt,” she bit back.

“You agreed to do whatever I wanted in return for his life,” I pulled her a little down the bed, the motion moving the sheets and revealing what was mine. “That includes where you spend your time.”

“Can I at least go out?”

“No.”

“Not even for a walk?”

“No.”

She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth, her usual defiance hidden beneath a streak of stubbornness. “Please?”

“Please only works when you’re on your knees about to suck my cock.” I pulled her closer, until I felt her staggeredbreath brush against my chest. “Stop painting me as your prince.”

That fire I craved so much danced in her irises. “Trust me, I stopped believing in fairytales the moment I met you.”

“And yet you screamed my name only an hour ago.”

A sound of frustration left her plump lips. “I hate you.”

I leaned closer, noting how her pulse jumped against her delicate throat. “Your cunt clearly disagrees.” I went to stand, the movement jerking her slightly on the bed, and she winced.

The sheets pooled, the swell of her breasts showing in the gape of my shirt. Without thinking I turned to the bathroom, grabbing a washcloth and running it under warm water.

She eyed me like I was a snake, flinching when I pulled the sheets off entirely to leave her mostly exposed.

“What are you doing?” she demanded, but I ignored her, gently washing her inner thighs and then her pussy. She hissed but didn’t stop me.

“Don’t look so concerned. I’m not going to fuck you again because I know you’re sore.” She didn’t seem to believe me. “Don’t get me wrong, I am this monster you’re picturing in your head. I do what I have to do to keep my position. But I don’t intentionally hurt women or children if I can help it.”

“You hurt me,” she pointed out.

“You wanted me to hurt you.” I dared her to argue, but of course she didn’t.

“Why not women and children?” she asked, moving away so she could curl her legs beneath her.

My hand clutched the now cold cloth. “Because they’re always used as pawns in someone else’s game.”

“Am I not a pawn in your game?”

“A willing one.” I pinned her with my stare, loving how she never looked away.

“What happened to make you so angry earlier?”

She was so fucking curious. It was going to get her killed. “Were you scared?”

“Not of you.”

Such honesty. “Then what were you scared of?” I asked.

Her jaw clenched. “Is Caden okay?”

My knuckles cracked from how hard I clenched my fist. “You were scared for Caden?” I was definitely going to have to pay him a little visit later. Maybe hit him a little harder.