Page 13

13

ALLISON

I can’t stand not being in control.

And right now, I’m far from it.

As I stare at myself in the bathroom mirror, determination courses through me.

I’m taking the power back.

Things were much better when Connor was irritated and grumpy as fuck.

I like watching him suffer.

The way his jaw clenches and his hands flex when he’s barely keeping it together makes me shiver.

I like knowing I have some kind of power over him.

And I’ll prove to myself—and him—that I still do.

I saunter from the bathroom in my pajamas and head to the bed. I get comfortable, lying on my back, barely any distance between us.

Yawning, I stretch my arms overhead, letting my tank top ride up just a little.

His eyes flick down, and I see the hint of weakness.

The growing sense of power is heady, so I double down.

I reach for my phone, rolling onto my stomach, my ass arched just enough.

Connor sits there silently, like he’s holding his breath.

I roll onto my side, smirking at him. I tap my fingers against my thigh. "Must be exhausting," I murmur.

He remains quiet.

I try again. "Keeping all that tension bottled up inside."

His grip on the sheets tightens.

I hide my grin. "You must be dying to let it out," I purr. "All that pent-up frustration." My finger traces his arm.

It happens so fast, my head spins.

Connor moves, pinning me beneath him.

His forearms cage me in while his weight presses me into the mattress.

His gray eyes shine with a dark, wild, and dangerous intensity.

His voice is a low, rough growl. "You want me to snap, sweetheart?"

I stop breathing.

"You’ve been playing with fire this entire trip," he continues, voice smooth and teasing.

His fingers skate over my waist. "You must really want to get burned."

I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry.

I panic, shoving at his chest, but he doesn’t budge.

He’s too big. Too strong.

So I do the only thing I can think of.

I lean up and bite his nipple.

He hisses before he laughs, the sound low and dark.

Goosebumps pebble my skin.

"That’s cute, Payne," he murmurs. His hand slides into my hair, tugging just enough that I can’t move.

My eyes are locked with his.

His lips crash against mine.

The kiss is filthy. Full of desperation, yet punishing me for my behavior.

He kisses me like he needs this.

Like I’m the one thing he’s been trying to resist and finally gave up fighting.

His tongue pushes into my mouth, claiming and demanding.

I moan.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I can’t stop this.

I don’t want to stop this.

I grab his shirt, pulling him closer.

His knee spreads my thighs, and his fingers tighten in my hair.

And just as I start to lose myself completely, I do the only rational thing left to do.

I shove him away.

My breath rasps in and out of my lungs as I turn my head.

I can’t look at him.

Can’t acknowledge what just happened.

His pants fill my ears.

From my peripheral vision, his jaw is tight, eyes burning into me.

I swallow, not wanting to acknowledge the kiss and my role in it, but feeling like I need to say something.

"That…" My voice shakes.

Damn it. Be strong.

I clear my throat, trying again. "That… was a mistake."

He doesn’t say anything, just watches me like he knows I’m lying.

Like he knows I want him.