Page 38 of Scavenger's Oath

Please. Just take it. Take this offer. Take something. Don’t leave me with this feeling.But I don’t want to beg him, to appear desperate.

He practically runs out of the room, without looking back. Leaving me kneeling on the cold floor feeling confused and exposed, my offer still hanging in the air like a balloon someone let go.

Pressing my hand to my thigh, where his hand was, I feel a pang of something unfamiliar.

I don't understand.

It looked like he wanted to take it.

Most guys would have.

What’s so wrong with me… that even when I offer everything, it’s still not enough?

Chapter 13

Zane

As the door closes behind me, I finally take in a breath.

Hands clenched and chest tight—I don't know whether I'm angry, heartbroken, or about to go back in there and accept her offer.

When she stood up, the blanket slipped down her legs like water, pale skin glowing in the warm light. A quiet defiance in her as she let me see those long legs. Vulnerability like an open wound.

Then she sank to her knees before me as if she was falling on the altar of a god she didn’t believe in. Quietly handing herself over to me, embracing whatever came.A sacrifice. As if she thought that's what I wanted from her.

Hell, Idowant that. I wanther.

But not like that. Not when she's only doing it because she thinks shehasto.

I can still feel her soft skin beneath my shaking hand. Warm… and willing.

And I just sat there like a fucking idiot, heart hammering, dying to dig my fingers into her thigh harder. To grip her properly. Dying to grab her by the throat, kiss her through those bars and hear what pretty sounds she would make.

My mouth watered with the need. I hated how my body betrayed me, fingers twitching like they already knew the path up her thigh. Hated how easy it would’ve been to fall back into my old ways. To ruin her and call it kindness.

But I made a promise to myself. I couldn't let her think that was the way to earn her place with us. She deserves more than that. More than what the world's tried to make us both.

Exhaling hard through my nose, I drag my hand through my hair.

No. She doesn't know what kind of monster she’s soliciting. She wants survival. Notme.

But I almost took it anyway.

That's what broke me.

So, I couldn't stay. Not with that offer in my hand and the knowledge that accepting it would mean I had failed her in the worst way.

I only make it ten steps before I crash into Phoenix as he rounds the corner.

“Whoa. Watch out,” he laughs, catching me by the shoulder.

Ignoring him, I try to push past, but he steps in my path.

“You good?” he asks, brow furrowing as he scans me.

Averting my gaze, my jaw twitches, words catching in my throat.

“You look like you've just been gut punched,” he notes, folding his arms over his chest.