Page 49 of Dare To Fall

Arabella’s eyes fly up to meet mine. I lick my lips and suck in a deep breath.

“Get ready.” I stroke a finger over her lips. “I’m sorry for what I’m about to do. I swear to you, I don’t like this any more than you do.”

“What are you—”

I pull on the mantle of the monster, lift her off the countertop, and stride across the floor of the restroom. Unlocking the door, I throw it open and shove her out into the hallway beyond.

“Next time you want to fuck with me, I won’t be as gentle.” I stalk away down the hallway, leaving her to face the cluster of students alone.

Chapter 30

Arabella

Sin: Go to the closet at the end of the hall on your floor an hour after curfew.

Scowling at my phone, I drop it onto my bed and storm for the bathroom. If he expects an answer, he’s not going to get one.

He can’t boss me around.

Eli has been nothing but a jerk to me all day. If this is what it’s going to be like for the next three and a half weeks, I wish I could stay locked in my room. He says he doesn’t enjoy what he’s doing to me, but I’m not sure I believe it.

He’s cruel and brutal. Hard and cold.

“Does he think his magic dick is going to make me forget the way he’s been treating me?” I mutter to my reflection. “Is that his plan?”

I want your pussy sliding up and down my dick. Are you wet right now, Kitten?

My nipples harden as I recall his words. Yes, I had been wet, needy, and throbbing. If we hadn’t been interrupted, I’d have let him fuck me right there in the restroom. I hate him for the power he has over me. That he can make me feel good and then shatter me a second later with a snap of his fingers.

I sit on the edge of the bathtub, and twist on the faucets, then dump a generous amount of my favorite scented bubble bath into the running water.

“He’s so fucking annoying.” I strip off my clothes and climb into the tub, the heat enveloping me in its comforting embrace. “I’m not going tonight. No way. I’ll just go to bed early.”

Once the bath is full, I turn off the water and sink right down until only my head is breaking the surface. The heat works its way through my body, loosening the tension holding my muscles taut. Sighing softly, I close my eyes and listen to the silence. Images of Eli fill my head. His hands on my body. His lips on my skin. How it feels when he’s buried inside me.

Touch me, Ari. Feel how hard you make me. When things get too much, think about this. This is the reality, Ari, not the monster.

My anger fades, but my hurt remains.

I shouldn’t still want Eli after what he’s done. It’s an addiction. I’m hooked on what he can give me—of losing myself in the sweetness of Sin. It takes me away from all the pain. All those dares in the tomb. I’d eagerly gone back for more every time he summoned me.

I wash my hair and body, lingering in the water until it grows cool. But eventually, I have to get out. I towel off and go back into the bedroom, where I brush out my hair, then use the hairdryer until every strand is dry.

I ignore my phone for as long as I can, but my willpower crumbles once I’m dressed. I have ten minutes until the time we’re supposed to meet.

I should stay in my room. Forget about meeting him. It’s not going to change anything. He’s still going to be a bastard to me tomorrow, no matter what happens between us tonight.

I pace up and down in front of my door.

Look at the way you come alive in my arms.

The weight of everything that’s happening threatens to crush me. I hate this. I hate Eli Travers so much that it aches in my chest.

He confuses me.

Taunts me.

Kisses me.

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