Page 249 of Hateful Games

“I had needs and I certainly wasn’t begging you to meet them. Earth would freeze over first.”

“You mean hell.”

“I’m already in hell with you.”

“Yet my hell has always been heaven with you, Rose. Do you really think I’ll let Malcolm live if he had actually fucked you? If he had felt an ounce of pleasure from your body? If he had the guts to steal my fiancée for a single fucking night? I would’ve gutted him right before your eyes.”

“How could you let me believe a lie all these years?” I yell. “Why do you have to be so cruel?”

“Cruel?” he hurls back in animosity. Bending inches from my mouth, he grabs my throat possessively. “You want to know what cruel is? It’s hearing the woman I hated but craved in the same breath, who drove me fucking mad with lust, screaming another man’s name while I was inside her. You ripped my fucking heart out, Rose. Just like you wanted.”

“Don’t you dare blame me.” I shake my head as angry tears stream down my face. “You were at that party to chase and fuck some girl. You have no right to be mad that I went and did the same.”

“You were my fiancée. Mine,” Nova roughly says. “I had no intention of touching another girl when I had you. Not that you’d believe me.”

How could I? He never gave me any reason.

Not until we got married.

Since then, he’s ruthlessly eviscerated all my walls. That’s why I can’t muster the courage to hate him as much as I want to in this second. It’s why the sorry explanation slips.

“You tormented me, Nova. Played mind games I wanted no part of. I almost gave you my first kiss before you left with Malcolm but then you showed me your true colors. You pushed me into another man’s arms. I was so consumed by my madness at you, it drove me to be reckless.”

“Yet fate led you to me.” Spreading my legs, he thrusts his rigid shaft against my pussy. “Once I saw you across the room, laughing at the bar with Miya, wearing the pretty butterfly mask and your beautiful red curls, I knew it was you.” His voice drops low and soft as he murmurs, “The only girl in the room who was fascinated by the books rather than the booze or the men. I had intended to only stay for a few drinks but once I saw you, I knew I couldn’t leave without a taste. One you wouldn’t have given if you thought it was me. So, I switched masks with Malcolm.”

I don’t want to believe him but my heart does.

“You took more than a taste.”

“Yes, I took more.” Thrust. “I stole everything.” Grind. “Because with you, I’m fucking greedy.” Thrust.

“You still torment me, Nova.” I tighten my legs and grind my clit against the hard zipper of his jeans. “You still play games, dangling the bliss of an orgasm and then viciously taking it away.”

“Because I love it when you beg. I wanted you needy, dripping, angry, when I took you tonight. You’re still not there yet.”

I lean back on my elbows when he whips off his shirt until I’m staring at his bare chest. Leaning forward, I trace the valley between his abs with my tongue. He groans, fingers threading in my hair when I reach his nipple and suck.

“Torturing me will not get you mercy.”

Lifting my head, I peer up at him. “Who says I’m asking for mercy?”

His brows twist.

“Maybe I just wanted you distracted.” Smirking, I push him away, jump down, and escape the room.

I make it to the exit this time. His footsteps thudding after me.

Shoving the door open, blinking lights greet me and I realize it’s another private area. The floor-to-ceiling one-way glass provides a direct view of the enormous club. I can see the booths ahead and the dance floor below.

The door shutting behind me yanks my attention from the crowded club.

A shirtless and intimidating Nova backs me into the glass behind.

My hands curling into the banister when I collide into it.

The little prey is caught.

“Where are you going to run now, Rose?”

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