Page 151 of Wicked Dreams

The one who is on a first-name basis with Caleb Asher.

My dad’s attorney, who is going to call Caleb Asher later.

Why?

This is what self-destruction looks like. I fell for a monster.

I try to retreat, but his fingers just dig into my skin. He has me trapped against his body and the steering wheel, his hands on my face. His thumb caresses my cheek, just below my eye. Once, then twice.

He’s blurry.

Am I crying?

“Why?” I manage. “Caleb?—”

“Do not ask me,” he warns. He leans forward and steals a kiss.

Steals my breath.

I can’t breathe.

“I need to knowwhy?—”

“You don’t.” His voice is deadly. He’s deadly. He kisses me again, biting my lip.

I hate that he’s using this to distract me. To revive me.

I’m so fucking cold.

“Come back, Margo,” he says against my lips. He presses kisses along the edge of my mouth, my jaw, my throat.

“Did you put my father in jail?” I close my eyes, letting my head fall back. I already know the answer isyes. Deep down, I’ve always known. I just didn’t want to believe it.

His teeth nip my throat. His lips chase away the pain, back up, up, up. My jaw. The spot just below my ear. My earlobe. My temple.

How can he destroy me and make me feel better at the same time?

We’re fucked up.

I’mfucked up for enjoying this. For letting him melt me down to liquid again and again.

His lips touch my eyelid. His tongue flicks out and tastes my tears.

This is more than just… him trying to ease the pain. Him trying to erase what happened in our past.

My heart is splintering.

His lips find mine again, but everything is soft. His touch. His tongue, sweeping along the seam of my lips.

I exhale a long, shuddering breath.

When I open my eyes, he’s watching me. Maybe he’s trying to figure me out. If I’m stable, or if, once he releases me, I’ll run.

I would if my legs didn’t feel like jelly.

“How could you?” I whisper. “Was it your idea?”

He shakes his head. “We’re not doing this right now.”

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