Page 124 of If You Give an Artist a Killer Muse

I don’t know what came over me. When I saw her getting all cute and close with that prick Jamie — fucking loser — my vision turned red. I tried to get her attention throughout the wedding, but she had the nerve to ignore me. I thought I should have felt relieved that she finally moved on. But when I saw them dancing, and he touched her… I had to leave. As soon as I finished painting the wedding and an extra canvas, I left.

I meant to go home. But then I found myself standing outside Briar's apartment, lurking and waiting like some stalker freak. Then, when I witnessed her kissing his cheek, a raging fury ignited within me, fueling an inexplicable desire to punch his smug face.

Now, here I am. On her bed, after we had sex twice.

Fuck.

A hand touches my jaw. I turn my head to see Briar watching me, her hair spread all over the pillow.

“What are you thinking of?” She asks, tracing her fingers down my throat.

I swallow hard, and her lips curve into a smile.

“Nothing,” I murmur, staring at her. My gaze trails to her breasts, and I want to bite her nipples. But I won’t because I can control myself.

Sometimes.

Her curves are fucking breathtaking, too. If I could, I want to lick every inch of her delectable curves, feel every nook and cranny, touch —

I frown.

What the fuck? Since when did she have a small bandage on her stomach? She has the same one on her shoulder, too. I reach forward and gently touch it, hearing her gasp.

I immediately look at her and ask, “Did you get this from work, too?”

Briar smiles widely. Too widely. “Yup!”

My eyes narrow. “And by work, you mean... what I’ve witnessed you and Nat do during the masquerade?”

Briar rolls her eyes, “Yes, Mr-I-Am-A-Good-Person-I-Dont-Go-Around-Killing-People.”

My lips twitch at her sass. “I don’t go around killing people. Also, you really need to be more careful, Briar. You’re not invincible.”

“Aww,” She coos, squeezing my cheek. I bite her finger. “You’re so sweet for worrying about me, angel.”

“I’m not worried,” I lie, glaring at her. I pull my arm away from her and sit up. “I should shower. It’s nearly 4 in the fucking morning.”

“Shower, and then come to bed.”

“No,” I say sharply, gathering my clothes to take them to the bathroom.

I can’t get too comfortable around her. She’s still this crazy, dangerous, insane woman. Just because she’s beautiful doesn’t mean anything.

I hear the mattress shift and turn around to see Briar getting up to stretch. Her tits are just out there, staring at me and tempting me.

“Can you put some clothes on?” I sigh, shaking my head.

“My house. If I want to walk around naked, I will.” She snarks like a fucking brat.

I roll my eyes, shutting and locking the door behind me. As I wash the sweat from my body, I can’t help but keep wondering if what we did was a good idea.

I just lost my virginity to a murderer.

What the fuck was I thinking?

My stepdad is going to lose his shit if he finds out how involved I am with her. What was I thinking, going after Briar after the wedding? I don’t even know how much longer I have with my damn heart. I should focus on my health and avoid anything that may disrupt it.

Like Briar.

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