Page 122 of The Rogue

Slipping out of bed, I cross the hall to my bedroom for clean clothes, stopping short when I see the door has been replaced on its hinges.

Well, that didn’t take long.

I turn the knob and step inside. Something is different. It feels empty. My clothes aren’t on the bed where I left them. The drawers of the nightstand are empty. For a second, I think he might have moved them into the wardrobe but—it’s gone.

“D’you lose something?”

I jump and turn at his voice. I glance at the empty space where the standing unit used to be. “You found the story.”

He steps inside and takes my hand. Silently, he leads me back to his bedroom door and kisses my cheek. “Everything you need is in here. Be right back.”

He’s gone again before I can ask questions.

I step into the warm, soapy bath, letting it do its job. Calm me. Settle me.

Settled.

It doesn’t feel real. There's still so much more weighing on me.

Like where we stand.

I can sense how angry Levi is. I know he’s holding back on confronting me until I’m feeling better. But I’m more than ready to talk now. Notabout what he read in that old article, but what it’s done to me. What it can still do to me.

Why hehasto let me leave his house.

I wrap a white towel around myself, feeling refreshed and alert. I step into his massive closet for a T-shirt and freeze. One side has all my new clothes. Oddly, they are well organized. The drawers are stacked with new, clean underwear and even socks.

I gasp at his voice. “Pepper takes credit for this.”

“You’re moving me in?”

He steps inside. “You’re my wife. Of course, you’re moving in.”

I step back, my spine hitting the back wall. “It’s not real.”

“It may not bevalid.” He cages me in, raising my chin. “But it’s very real, Tessa.”

Like he can’t help himself, his eyes throw fire again.

I swallow. “Levi, I—”

“How could you not tell me your life was in danger? How could you think I’d leave you in anyone’s hands but mine?” His voice is as sharp as his blue eyes. His hand dips under my towel, finding my wet center instantly. Without warning, he parts my legs and slides his fingers inside me.

My lips part with a moan.

“That’s not a real question. I don’t want you to speak. Not yet, Tessa.”

I whimper at his touch, his breath on the side of my face. And the bite in the way he says my name.

“That’s right, I’m angry. And there are no horses in this room to save you.”

Holy fuck, I’m dripping.

He pulls out slowly and rubs my clit, teasingly. I moan pleadingly, leaning into his touch. He shocks me with a deep thrust of those expertfingers. I gasp, arching my back. “I promised myself I’d be gentle, but why should I go easy on you when you scared the shit out of me?”

He strokes almost punishingly, and I welcome it, gripping his biceps, chasing my release. The son of a bitch pulls out again.

“You’re mine to protect, Tessa. Do you hear me?”

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