Page 22

CHAPTER 22

REDLEY

I gasp, so deeply offended that if I had a gun on me, I’d shoot him dead right now. It’s even worse that he’s right, and I’ve been struggling with these disgusting feelings for years, but it’s different and harder to deny when hearing the accusations out loud.

“Oh yeah? And what’s your excuse this time? Should I be grateful you killed a damn cop who was trying to help me?”

“I don’t need an excuse to kill, Muffin. I like it, and I’m always looking to help you.”

My stomach flips. Yeah, right. “Did you even have a reason then?”

“He wasn’t taking that kiss or anything else he was trying to get out of you tonight.”

My heart flies, pounding like it wants to race out of my chest. “Why not?”

“They’re mine.” His voice slips into a growl. “You’re mine.”

“I’ve been kissed before, and like hell is anything of mine yours,” I argue.

“One kiss from a teenage boy doesn’t count. That man wanted to fuck you, but you’re my wife in every way that counts, and no one’s going to touch what’s mine.” Chills run up my spine as he speaks.

I despise him. I’m going to kill him. I’ve never been so turned on in my life. Why the hell does he think any part of me belongs to him? And why do I agree with him that maybe he gets one small piece?

“You think you get to destroy my entire family and then be a part of it? You are insane.”

He laughs loud and harsh as he spins me in his arms to face him.

“Your whole family?” I don’t answer him, and he gives me a little shake. “Who said you have a choice?” he asks.

“You did.” I can’t see much, but he’s much taller than I expected. He’s grown six inches since that night. How does a monster grow?

“I said choose me or regret it. I never said you had a choice.”

Is he actually saying I’ll be his wife either way? That my regret will be my own choices being disrespected at all times. There’s no way he was just offering me a chance to get used to what he considers inevitable. That’s far too kind for him. Your whole family? His question runs through my head on repeat. What the hell is going on? If there’s some chance that he didn’t kill them all, then who did?

I kick him as hard as I can, but I’m too close to get much leverage, and he doesn’t even react.

“That was my fucking kiss, and he wasn’t gonna take it,” he repeats. “You’re mine, Redley Little. Have been since I picked all that glass out of your face and decided no one would ever lay hands on you again.”

“Your hands are on me.”

“I'm going to touch you so often my hands will fuse with your skin.”

And that shouldn’t sound like the most appealing offer I’ve ever heard. My belly falls out with the combination of arousal and guilt. How could I feel this way for someone who’s done the things he has? Even if I’m wrong about what he is, I know he’s a killer and a cold-hearted one too. Am I as evil as he is for entertaining this?

The Wolf doesn’t leave me the chance to decide, just like he said. His mouth crashes into me. Broad, hot lips spread mine, and his tongue sweeps across my open mouth. The pure physical strength and warmth upstage everything until that’s all I can feel, but he’s holding me so tight it makes no difference that my legs are numb beneath me. I stomp on his foot with tingling toes, and he drops my wrist to wrap his arm around my middle, squeezing hard.

His kiss is deep, skillful, and scorching hot, and my long-dormant libido begs for more. My sense of self, duty, and love for my family scream in outrage, but it doesn’t matter. I can’t stop him anyway, and unlike with Porter, I’m enjoying this ride. This is nothing like the pointy kisses I had with Bobby when I was a teenager. It’s hot and wet, and my body responds in kind, preparing for the sex I never plan to have. The sex Porter certainly died wanting.

A last attempt at a shove is my only failing hope to save my dignity, but he’s just too strong. His arms band even tighter until I can’t breathe, and my head might pop off. My body goes limp, and he growls as his tongue slips even deeper into my mouth. Everything about him is so hot, and so am I in every spot we touch. His arms gentle around me. Suddenly he’s touching me as softly as he did that night and every part of me aches. The mountain could come crashing down and I wouldn’t notice.

He’s the one to end the kiss a few minutes later. When he pulls back, I can’t face him, but I feel his eyes on me. I’m not afraid anymore, though maybe I should be. I’m just ashamed and aroused. He leans forward, pressing his lips sweetly to my forehead and inhaling.

“Just remember, Muffin, this is your fault for bringing a pig into a wolf's forest. Bring another, and I’ll kill him too.”

Tears fill my eyes as the reality of my betrayal sinks in and the fact that I was ready to have sex with him, even though that’s not what he seems to want anymore.

“I hate you,” I vow.

He laughs, a haunting melody that weakens my joints. “Run home before I decide I want more of you. You really do look good enough to eat.”

He kisses me one more time, and my heart pounds in fierce hatred and arousal, but I’m truly afraid of my own guilt, if he and I go any further.

“You ruined everything,” I tell him.

“I’m so sorry I killed your dumb cop before he could bring me to justice,” he taunts.

“Fuck you.”

“Drive the cruiser home. If something happens to you, Grimm Groves is going to have a very bad time.”

“What would happen to me if you're right here?” I ask.

“I'm not the only monster in these woods, and I’m not sure how you haven’t figured that out yet.”

He releases my hands before slipping off into the night, and I can’t even say for sure which direction he goes.

“Take the cruiser. I’m not kidding,” he shouts from somewhere far off.

He’s not the only monster in these woods. His words from before come back to me.

If that’s true, what the hell is out here?