Page 12 of Dare To Take

What had been on his back?

My fingers twitch, as I recall the rough edges of his skin. Scars? Is that why he’s always covered up in a hoodie with no inch of him on show?

A hazy memory surfaces. Eli naked on top of me, his arms covered in tattoos. Expression twisted in pleasure as he pounded in and out of me with relentless thrusts.

The image makes my panties wet, and the pulsing between my legs turns into sweet torture. A feeling cut short by a flash of rage.

How dare he make me want him. Who the fuck does he think he is? I blink back tears of fury, of exhaustion and fear. I need to start thinking with my head, instead of acting impulsively and letting my emotions rule my actions.

Do I tell him about my late period?

Don’t be ridiculous, Bella.

It would just be more fuel to the fire of his hatred. I know for certain, I need to keep it a secret from everyone.

The kiss we’ve just shared forces its way to the forefront of my mind. I remember the way I’d moaned into his mouth. The feel of something smooth, round, and hard on his tongue. A new piercing?

Humiliation kicks in. I should have slapped him harder.

You’re not a blameless little victim in this war. Elliot is in the hospital because of you. You deserve Eli’s torment.

Hugging myself, I cross the room to the bathroom to run a bath. I add a dollop of bubble bath and strip out of my clothes before descending into the water while it’s still running. Some of my stress ebbs in the heat, and I wait until the tub is full before turning off the water. Laying back, I close my eyes, sinking until the only thing above the surface is my face. It feels as though I’m in a watery embrace. I can feel it warming every inch of my skin. Sounds are dulled. It’s peaceful and calm. My attraction for Eli is still there, making my pussy clench needily and my nipples hard, but I don’t want to touch myself.

Because you want Eli to do it. You want his mouth on your breasts, between your legs. You want him to block out the world. The same way your secret lover used to pleasure you when you were together, but your stepbrother isn’t Sin. A tiny voice reminds me.

I shouldn’t be physically attracted to Eli.

Not when Sin has my heart, even if his rejection has left it battered and bruised.

I’m so mixed up.

Holding my breath, I pull my head right under. Strands of hair float around my face caressing my cheeks. Everything is muted, the world above distorted.

Eli Travers is the enemy.

Kissing him is a bad idea.

Fantasizing about having sex with him again is even worse.

My chest tightens, and my lungs burn with the need for air. I lurch upward, break the surface and suck in a mouthful of oxygen. Wiping the water out of my eyes, I slick back my wet hair. And then sink back down so I can stare up at the light above me.

Has Sin seen the video?

Now I know he didn’t post it, I’m desperate to see him.

I wish I could contact him. He must have heard about what happened.

Has he been back to the tomb? Has he thought about me at all?

Without the phone he gave me, I have no way of contacting him.

Will I ever get to talk to him again?

Chapter 9

Eli

I wake up disoriented. The headache that had been threatening has arrived with a vengeance. My head is pounding, and it feels like a dead weight when I lift it from the pillow. The room is in darkness, and I grope around for my cell.

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