Page 52 of Dismantle & Prevail

Her hands beat on my back, and I make my way towards the door.

“You can, but when I say you need a day off to protect that beautiful mind of yours, I mean it.”

Taylor twists and turns, trying to free herself from my hold.

Smack.

The sound of my hand smacking against her ass echoes through the Heart, followed by Taylor’s gasp.

“Ace.”

I can’t help but stare at my handprint on her gorgeous skin.

Fuck.

She squirms once more, and the movement goes straight to my cock.

Not now Aries.

And because I can’t help myself, I smack her ass once more and adjust her biker shorts that are riding up so high her entire cheek is exposed.

“Ace. Put me down.” Taylor’s breathless voice causes me to pause and for a second I contemplate saying fuck all the boundaries and taking it slow and throwing her on the table, fucking her into oblivion.

But I don’t. Taylor deserves this to be done right and on her own accord.

“Not a chance, Hellhound. I need a partner for game night. Boone convinced Rocky to be his partner and I will not lose to those fuckers.”

“Ugh.”

I don’t hide the chuckle that escapes me and walk out of the room.

Soon Butterfly. I can feel it. Soon you will be all mine.

Chapter Twenty-One

Aries

Taylorrestspeacefully,asmile on her face as the sunlight streams in from the window.

It’s early, but I’ve been awake for hours.

Surprisingly, I didn’t have a debilitating nightmare last night, so it’s no surprise that my body assumed that I had enough sleep and was up before dawn.

Not that I mind, it's given me time to revel in the beauty that is Taylor.

Creep.

Ignoring my inner pessimist, I allow my hand to drift to her face, sweeping away a tendril of black hair that escaped the knot atop her head.

Damn. She’s beautiful.

Every day I watch Taylor slowly but surely let down her inhibitions and what ifs, allowing the idea of what a future between us two could look like.

I’m about to slide out of the bed when a cry escapes her.

Immediately, my hands are on her face as it scrunches, a look of hurt and pain clear all over her features.

“No,” Taylor mutters, her head moving side to side.