Page 28 of Picture Perfect

“Just give in," he demands. "You know you want this, you little bitch. You think I don't know you've been spreading your legs for those heathens? You think you can just give them a taste of what belongs to me?"

And, there it is. I tilt my head back, my laughter came out strained and forced, as if I'm choking on it. Maybe I am. It's cold and humorless.

"I can't help it if they're obsessed with me, Preston. I've done nothing to stoke that attraction. Nothing. You should take it as a compliment."

"A compliment?"

"They want what you have. Doesn't mean I'm going to give it to them. Virgin until marriage, remember. It's part of the contract."

Preston's eyes narrow, his grip on me still tight. "It's mine to take, Addy. Why should I bother to wait?"

"You are so nearsighted, Preston. You break the terms of that contract before it's even signed, I can guarantee my father will tear it up and throw it away."

I'm bluffing. My father wants this deal and he doesn't give a flying fuck if Preston takes more than he should. He'll punish me for it, not him.

"You think so?"

"I know so."

Preston's eyes flash dangerously, but he seems to hesitate for a moment. I can feel his breath on my neck and the tension in his body as he considers my words.

He lets out a growl, his anger rising. "I won't need to buy the cow if I've already tasted the milk, Addy. Your virginity belongs to me as much as you do."

"And it will be yours, after the wedding." Over my dead body.

"I am in control here, not you," he whispers seductively—at least he thinks so, "And I've always had a knack for getting what I want."

I pull my right hand free from where he's pinned me and swallow the bile as I slide it between us to squeeze his pathetic erection.

Preston has always been unpredictable. Usually I can handle him, talk him down. But the wild look in his eyes has me terrified. No one says no to a Montgomery.

I just need to divert his attention.

"It's not like there's nothing I can offer you, Preston," I tell him with a squeeze.

He grunts, pressing his hips forward into my hand.

"Like what, Addy?" he growls, his voice dripping with hunger and possession. His eyes flash dangerously, but there's a hint of intrigue in them.

I take a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. Time to play my hand.

"I have a perfectly good mouth. Why don't you shut me up?"

Preston's eyes widen for a moment, his excitement momentarily tempered by the offer. But his lust for control prevails.

"Is that all you have to offer me?" His voice is still thick with lust, but the challenge is palpable. He grabs my chin roughly, turning my face towards his. "I'm not interested in just your mouth."

"Talk to your father, Preston. Have him hurry along the negotiations. Until then, my mouth is all you get. Shut me up, Preston."

Preston's grip on my chin tightens, and I feel the pain but I don't flinch. I've learned to play this game better than he knows. His eyes flicker between anger and desire, his mind racing as he tries to figure out how to entice me into giving him more.

"Alright, with one condition," he finally mutters. He grips my throat and slams my body back into the lockers. My head knocks into the metal with a loud thud as his hard body presses against me.

I gasp for air, my lungs screaming for oxygen. My eyes water from the pain but I keep my gaze locked with his, daring him to continue.

"What is it?" I manage to choke out.

His lips brush against my jawline, and I can feel the intensity of his desire. "You know what I want," he growls, his breath hot on my face. "And you know you can't deny me."

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