Page 127 of On Edge

No. It’s the exact opposite.

My mind races as I shove that unhelpful urge away. Troy Severin is the only one who knows what happened. So what if I sell my soul to him? If it helps put the broken pieces back together, if stripping down to my underwear will give me answers, then so be it.

“Alright.”

“That’s my good girl.”

His praise shouldn’t affect me, but desire crawls low in my core, and I hate how much I want to hear him say it again.

“Tell me who you really are.” As soon as I say it, it’s the wrong question.

Did you kill my sister?is probably what I should have asked.But he already told me he didn’t kill her when he was drugged. What’s to stop him from lying again? Understanding who he is is the better one, right?

He smirks, and his gaze strays to my mouth and then lower, before coming back up to meet my eyes. “Then take off that damn dress.”

I close my eyes and try not to overthink it.

Then, slowly, I take off my cardigan.

It’s only when I slip off my knit dress that I feel breathless and exposed. My skin feels hypersensitive, like every cell is anticipating his gaze. The cool air hits my exposed shoulders, but the feel of his eyes on me burns hotter than any touch.

When I drag open my eyes, I feel drugged all of a sudden. He’s watching me with a hunger so vividly apparent that I have mini flashbacks of earlier in the kitchen. He knows why I’m here now; it’s clear in the disgust on his face. And yet, he still wants me.

And I want him too.

I let the damp garment fall at my feet, unable to meet his eyes now that I’m basically down to my smalls.

“Turn around.”

I bite my lower lip and do as he demands.

As Troy comes to stand behind me, I can feel the heat radiating from his body without him touching me. His scent envelops me, a mix of leather, rain, and something uniquely him that makes my mouth water, making my body shudder involuntarily. I want to press my face to his throat and breathe him in until I’m dizzy with it.

But then his fingers brush my bare back, and the contact sends electricity shooting up my spine. For a moment, neither of us moves: him behind me, knuckles grazing over my skin, both of us breathing too hard.

“I was born Edward Todd Swanley, after my father. No one here knows but Katherine and Elias. And now…you.”

The words hit me like a physical blow as he hands me a weapon that could destroy him. His real name, his past, his secrets. But instead of feeling satisfied, I feel…the opposite.

Why is he admitting it to me?

I shiver as cool air plays over my skin, and I sense him move back towards the tower door. He’s leaving. I turn, picking up my damp dress to put it back on. But instead, he takes the key and locks the door behind us.

Troy looks at me, and there’s a flicker behind his eyes, not just hunger anymore; it’s fragile and pained, before his cold mask shifts back into place and he smiles at me like the Devil.

My own heart thuds noisily within me as he pockets the key.

“Now, you run.”

“W-what?” I stare at him.

“Best way to warm up.”

“You’re insane. No.”

“You wanted to see the tower.” His voice is deadly soft. “So climb, little finch.”

Slowly, as his words register in my brain, as he starts stalking towards me.