Page 25 of Twisted Devil

The floor tipped beneath my feet, and black crept into the edges of my vision. I had to get out of here. Now. My heart raced in my chest, banging against my rib cage with heavy thuds. My breath came faster and faster as he continued to interrogate me.

“How did you…?”

The remainder of his question was lost to me as my thoughts spun out of control. I gasped, trying to drag in breath to no avail. It felt like a vise had clamped down around my lungs. My knees buckled as my vision went black, and I barely registered the sound of angry, raised voices over the blood rushing in my ears. My lungs hyperventilated, and I felt a strong arm band around me, then sweep me off my feet.

“You’re okay, sweetheart.” Jason’s voice barely penetrated my gaze of panic, and I grasped onto it like a buoy in a tempest. “Just breathe, Chloe, I’ve got you.”

After what felt like ever, my vision began to clear and I registered a distinct difference in temperature. I blinked against the glaring light, and I realized I was draped over a bench on the sidewalk, staring into a bright street lamp. I closed my eyes and drew my first full breath in what felt like hours.

“Everything’s okay,” Jason soothed next to my ear. “I'm right here.”

I grabbed for him, and he clutched my hand. “I'm... I'm okay.”

“We should get you checked out.”

I shook my head, then gradually shifted to face him. The bench was hard and unforgiving, and I grimaced as I rolled to my side.

“Chloe, we—”

“I'm okay.” I closed my eyes again for a second before meeting his gaze. “It was just a panic attack. I'll be fine.”

“That didn't look fine.” His words were harsh, but I knew they were born of concern.

“I know. Thank you for getting me out of there,” I said softly.

“That asshole—” Jason abruptly cut off as he threw an angry glare toward the restaurant and the reporter inside.

“Thank you.”

Jason redirected his gaze to me, then brushed a kiss over my forehead. “I'm just glad you're okay. Scared the hell out of me.”

I released his hand and he helped me into a sitting position.

“You still look pale,” he observed. “Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital?”

“Just home.” I took his outstretched hand and stood, then followed him to the car. Jason drove to my place, then ushered me inside and locked the door. “Do you need anything? Aspirin, Tylenol...?”

I shook my head. “I just want to lie down for a bit.”

It was silly, but I felt exhausted as if the panic attack had zapped my strength. I changed and brushed my teeth, then climbed into bed. Jason followed mere minutes later and pulled me in close. Just having him near calmed me, and I slipped off to sleep.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

JASON

I knew she was awake. The sun had risen more than an hour ago, and shortly afterward I had felt the telltale shift of her body as she came awake. She hadn't said a word, and neither had I. I continued to lay there quietly, my body wrapped around hers, knowing she needed time to deal with the events of the previous night.

Finally, Chloe scooted toward the edge of the bed. I reluctantly let her go, watching as she moved toward the bathroom. Heart hurting for her, I slipped from under the covers and followed behind as she stepped into the shower and stood listlessly beneath the spray. Once more, I enfolded her in my arms, offering silent support. She tucked her head into my shoulder, and I smoothed my hands down her back.

In my estimation, there were few things that a hot shower couldn't fix, and I grabbed the soap from the shelf then slowly began to lather her body. She stood stock-still under my ministrations as I swept my hands up her arms then down her back, gently massaging the tension from her muscles. Her face tipped up to mine, and I saw the need deep in her blue eyes.

I bowed my head and kissed her, gently at first then more firmly as she wrapped her arms around my shoulders. Time slipped away as I kissed my way over every inch of her, following the little trail of bubbles as they slid in rivulets down her body and circled the drain. I dropped to my knees and slipped my tongue over her navel, then moved lower, to the apex of her thighs.

Her hands fisted in my hair, and I moved between her legs, gently encouraging her to open for me. I drew my tongue through her folds, tightening my grasp on her hips as her muscles trembled. I licked at her, drinking up every drop of her sweetness as I set about trying to make her forget. She pulsed against my tongue as she came on a broken cry, her hands clutching at my shoulders to keep from falling.

I kissed my way back up her body until I claimed her mouth. She kissed me back with no hesitation, tongue sliding against my own. Pushing her gently backward, I braced her against the wall, then lifted her legs, loving the way they automatically wrapped around my waist. The head of my cock slid between the cheeks of her ass, and I shifted her hips so I was pressed against her core. Chloe let out a little whimper as I slid into her on a smooth, deep stroke.

Her walls clenched around me, clasping me tight as I pumped in and out. I fucked her slow and deep, no barriers between us. I should've checked with her, but I knew she was clean and so was I. She told me last week that she was on birth control, and the knowledge was almost disappointing. I wanted Chloe with a desperation I'd never felt before. I wanted to marry her, wanted to watch her grow round with our children. I wanted her every day for the rest of my life. The timing was fucking terrible, but I couldn't hold my feelings back one more second.

---