Page 19 of Stained In Sin (The Twisted Trilogy #1)

D & E

Dante

I watch her scrub her skin raw, as if it’s going to remove the past. She doesn’t like what she is becoming, but I do.

I love to see her distraught and scared.

I love seeing her for who she is. Mine. It makes me so fucking homicidal to see the marks left on her.

Even if it was just from captivity. They left her chained up for four fucking days. She can barely walk.

Her wrists and ankles have minor injuries. Just a few cuts and blisters, nothing major, but the position was extremely uncomfortable for her. I hate myself for leaving her so vulnerable.

She continues to wash them, her face wincing with every move. She tries her best to put on a brave face, but I know badly she wanted to fucking die. Anyone would want to die after being held, kidnapped, and starved. That reminds me— she needs to eat.

She refused when we first got back, and I know she probably doesn’t feel like eating much. Watching me skin up those men made her lose her appetite— if she didn’t lose it already, that is.

I grab her a fresh towel from the towel warmer and set it on the table next to the tub. I reach down for her hand, but she doesn’t take it. I squat down next to the tub and watch her chest rise and fall. She’s numb.

“I did what I had to do.”

She slowly raises her gaze to meet mine.

“W-why did you make me watch?” Her eyes search mine for answers.

“You needed to see what will happen to anyone who tries to take what is mine. That was nothing compared to what would have happened if…” I shake my head, letting the thought escape my mind.

“If what?” She asks nervously.

“Nothing… Are you ready to get out? You need to eat something.”

She stares at me with a blank expression.

“Come on. I’ll get you whatever you want.”

She slowly raises her hand to reach for me, and I help her out of the tub. Her legs are still a bit wobbly, but she uses my shoulders for balance.

I slip her into a hoodie and a pair of her sweatpants that I had brought over. I had my security guard pack a few bags for her. She isn’t leaving my fucking sight.

She allows me to dress her, and I pick her up and carry her to the bed, placing her gently on the silk sheets. She looks up at me. Not happy, not sad— just blank.

“What do you want to eat?”

She stares at me.

“Will you kiss me?”

Taken aback by her request, I furrow my brows, looking at her like she has lost her mind. She hasn’t eaten in four days, and she wants me to kiss her?

“P-please. You’ve never kissed me before… I promise to eat whatever after. Just… please..”

I look at her, begging me, in her most vulnerable moment. All she wants is a kiss. I can do that.

* * *

Evelyn

I stare up at Dante, the man who saved me. He took care of me. Not once has he been inconsiderate. Although he did ghost me for two weeks, he is the reason I ended up there in the first place. I still cannot thank him enough. He saved you.

While I was chained to a wall, I began thinking about all the things I had never done before. After all, I thought I was dying. One of the things I realized was that I had never kissed him. It made me feel empty inside.

He crawls onto the bed next to me, and I turn onto my side to face him. He looks so perfect right now. He does look like he hasn’t slept in days, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

He tucks my hair behind my ear and lifts my chin gently.

He leans forward and gives me a gentle kiss.

He tastes of mint and whiskey. He pulls back slowly, and our eyes lock.

I see the desire swimming in his dark eyes.

They look warmer than usual, not black, but a deep shade of brown.

My eyes trail from his eyes to his mouth, and my lips part—the tension pulling us together, as if we have been deprived of each other’s touch.

“Fuck it,” he says in a low, breathy tone as he crashes his mouth to mine.

My fingers tangle in his hair as he kisses me passionately. His touch sends shivers down my spine, warming me from the inside out. He makes you feel alive. He silences the demons in your head, remember?

He caresses my hips as he deepens the kiss. He pulls himself off of me and runs his fingers through his hair, letting out a long breath.

“Thank you…” My voice comes out softly.

He rolls off the bed, and I can’t help but notice how he has to adjust himself in his pants. I give him a lazy smile, and he crosses his arms in front of his chest.

“Now tell me, what do you want to eat?”

* * *

Dante

I’m in the kitchen, making Evelyn a grilled cheese sandwich. Of all of the things, that’s what she said she wanted. I’m not complaining, though. She could have told me she wanted to eat an entire pound of chocolate, and I would have made it happen. She has to eat something.

I place her sandwich on her plate and pair it with a bowl of tomato soup. I grab her utensils and napkins, and I bring them to her in the master bedroom.

She sits on the couch, curled up in her blanket, staring out the window. I set her plate on the coffee table in front of her, and she slowly sits up.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I lean against the wall with my ankles crossed as I watch her eat. She is so perfect. I could watch her do anything all day long. I don’t know what I would have done if she had been killed. I shake the thought out. Instead, I focus on the fact that I had to force myself off of her earlier.

Who knew that a kiss could be so fucking hot.

She tastes so sweet—all of her. I wanted to take her right then and there, but I know her head is still clouded.

I don’t want her ever to regret anything when it comes to me.

Sure, I want to fucking own her, but it would be better if she enjoyed it as much as I do.

I think she will come around. She has already gotten pretty comfortable with me. I have nothing but patience for her. I still have one fucking problem. I only have a little over four months to get her to commit.

I might need to push her boundaries sooner than I thought.

She finishes most of her soup and sandwich and sits back on the couch, looking up at the ceiling. It’s almost like she sees something I don’t.

“Do you want to lie in bed?”

She continues to stare as if she is caught in a trance.

“No.”

She answers without looking at me.

“Do you want to watch a movie?”

Her question catches me off guard. I don’t typically watch movies, but I’ll do whatever she wants tonight.

She has me wrapped around her finger. I have only felt guilty three times in my life.

When my mother died, when my sister died, and when Evelyn was taken from me.

So if she wants to watch a movie— I’ll watch the goddamn movie.

* * *

Evelyn

We sit on the second floor of Dante’s home, curled up on a sectional, watching The Shining. He was surprised by my movie choice, but it is one of my favorite films, and Stephen King is one of my favorite authors. I needed a comfort movie.

My head is nestled in his chest, and he has an arm wrapped around my waist, holding me tightly. His warmth soothes me, and I feel safe in his embrace. You are safe with him.

I lean down to grab my bottle of water. I have been extremely thirsty after being brought back to his house. Granted, I refuse to drink anything out of a glass right now. I’m pretty paranoid that I will be drugged again. I know Dante wouldn’t do that to me, but I still don’t like the possibility.

I set the bottle back down and return to my position. I look up at him, admiring his sharp jawline and dark features. I love how his tattoos hug his neck. He is my wet dream. That’s for sure.

He turns his head, catching me gawking at him.

“Did you want to watch the movie, or watch me?”

My blush paints my cheeks. I was watching the movie, but I think I like watching him more. He strokes my cheek with his fingers softly, and I melt into his touch. Closing my eyes to feel the sensation. I never want to forget what that feels like. Give yourself to him.

I open my eyes and see him staring at my parted lips. He skates his across my lip, sliding them down to my neck, where he gives me a gentle squeeze.

I close my eyes and tilt my head back, exposing my neck to him. I crave his touch. I want to feel whole again. He makes me feel alive. I want him more than I have ever wanted anything in my life.

His hand releases from my throat, and he travels it lower, gently massaging my breast. I open my heavy eyes to watch him. He has a primal look in his eye, like he is about to attack his prey. You are his prey.

I tuck my bottom lip between my teeth as he circles my nipple with his finger softly.

He removes his hand and gently runs his fingers up into the back of my hair.

I close my eyes again, just living in the moment, enjoying his touch.

He gently tugs back, and a whimper escapes from my lips.

I hear him let out a groan as he leans forward, kissing my neck.

I lean into h is kiss, welcoming him, allowing him to devour me if he wants to.

He sinks his teeth into my neck, and it feels like heaven. I feel like when he touches me, I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I don’t feel worthless. I feel so wanted. I don’t feel shame anymore. I can be myself with him. He lit a fire inside of me, and I never want him to put it out.

I reach my hand out and place it on the bulge in his pants. He swiftly grabs my wrist to remove my hand as he removes himself from my neck. His lips hover over my sensitive flesh.

“Don’t.”

His tone is dark and daring as if he is about to break.

“Please… let me touch you…”

I don’t recognize my voice.

“If I let you, I don’t know if I will be able to stop.”

“Then don’t…”

My words haunt the air around us as he remains still. Time has suspended, and we are in no man’s land.

“You don’t know what you’re doing.”