Page 69 of Reckoning

Yeah, my heart seems to flip at that name again. “How can I be a devil if you won’t let me use my claws?”

He grins more, that gold tooth of his glints. He picks up my hand and starts examining it like he actually expects to see talons. “They’re not sharp enough.”

“Not yet.”

He laughs, a deep rumble that makes my body react in a way that is not okay. Despite our proximity, despite the fact he’s touching me right now and I should be running for the hills, only my heart seems to beat louder, something akin to pride settles there at the fact it was me that made him laugh.

God, I’m pathetic.

“And what do I get in this deal?” He asks like it isn’t obvious.

“Me.”

His eyes darken, his gaze drops and I know he’s staring at my body, probably trying to decide if I’m worth it. God, what if I’m not? What if he’s already decided I’m too disgusting after all, that he’s had his fun already and he’s simply going to toss me out into the street like I really am trash?

“You’d sell yourself to me?” He murmurs.

“If that’s the price.” I say, sounding more confident than I feel. Yes, he’s attractive, yes, he’s god damn gorgeous to look at, but if he decides he wants to fuck me right this minute, I’m not so certain I won’t completely fall apart with fear.

Only I can’t do that.

I refuse to do that.

I want my vengeance. I want my revenge. Koen can give me all that and more.

And I’ve fucked enough men, been fucked enough times, for one more not to matter.

He puts his hands on my thighs, it’s a test I know it is, but I can’t hide the flinch, the way my body reacts to the sudden contact.

“If I fucked you now, I’d break you.” He states so coldly, so matter of fact.

“You think you’re that strong?” I sneer, trying to cover my panic and hurt with false bravado.

He growls, moving to pin me in place, pushing me flat against the counter and suddenly adrenaline is pumping through my veins, my heart is slamming into my chest.

“Spread your legs.” He orders, but he’s the one doing it, pushing them apart, forcing me wide open for him. The t-shirt I’m in rides right up, baring my panties. The cold marble worktop makes my skin erupt into goosebumps. I shut my eyes, clench my fists, trying not to hyperventilate.

This is what I offered, this was the price. He has every right to claim it.

As his hand brushes against the fabric covering my core I’m not sure if it’s fear or desperation that’s taking over. This feels so different to the other night. The other night it felt caring, loving, now it’s possessive, dominating, like I’m a thing to be owned.

“New deal,” Koen says, pulling his eyes from my chest and meeting my gaze. “You’ll get your vengeance, and I get you, but on my terms.”

His hand is still on my thigh, still pinning me down and I force myself to stop trembling, to stop giving myself away.

“What, what does that mean?” I stammer. Have I misunderstood this man? Is he going to whore me out, just like Otto did?

“You’re going to work on fixing yourself. You’re going to eat properly, get stronger, and you’re going to stop hiding away. Right now you hate yourself because you still feel weak. You still feel powerless. If you are physically stronger, if you can fight, if you can protect yourself without having to depend on anyone else, then mentally you’ll be all the better.”

I blink, I gulp. His face is so close to mine and though I hear the truth in his words, the logic in them, it feels like he’s asking me to scale a mountain.

“That’s the deal?” I whisper feeling like it would be easier if he just fucked me after all. Why doesn’t he want to? Surely most men don’t care beyond getting their dicks wet? It makes me wonder what his motives are. He’s been sneaking into my house, into my room, essentially assaulting me for god knows how long, and now when I’m laying myself out on a platter he suddenly seems to have grown a conscious? It doesn’t make any sense.

His lips curl, “That’s the deal. I’ll bring you your enemies and in exchange,” His hand strokes my cheek so gently I almost melt. “In exchange I’m going to show your body what pleasure is, I’m going to mould you, Sofia, I’m going to teach you, but at my pace.”

“I thought we already agreed to that the other night?” I say.

He lowers his mouth, capturing mine and my mind turns to mush. His tongue swirls against mine, his hand moves to grip the back of my head. I gasp, arching my back, rubbing myself against him. All that fear, all that confusion is gone. If he started stripping me now I don’t think I’d fight him. I don’t think I’d do anything but just lie here and let him do as he wished.