Page 14 of Silent Night

He hikes my thigh over his hip, and there’s something erotic about being half-naked while he’s dressed. Then he grasps my wrists in one hand and yanks them above my head, his own dropping into my neck, his taunt mumbled into the base of my throat.

“If only I grabbed Christmas lights off your tree. Bet they could be pretty useful.”

I’ve been tied up plenty of times before, but there’s something different about handing my submission tothisman. Something I crave more than air itself.

“You’d be good for me, right? You’re so innocent, you’d let me tie you up, wouldn’t you? A little walk on the dark side. That’s what I’d be.”

“No—” He swallows my disagreement with his mouth, kissing me until I’m lightheaded, feeling as though I’m about to pass out. Doing so means this ends, and I’m starting to get the notion that’s what Saint wants.

Knock, knock!

“Shit,” I hiss, all but shoving Saint off me as I jerk upright, yanking my pyjama shorts back on and then the blanket over me. “Go away!” I yell at Bentley.

Saint gets to his feet, his gaze darting between the window and the door, but I urge him to the floor on the left side of my bed. Considering the door is the opposite side, he’ll be well out of view.

“You okay?” Bentley’s sleepy voice calls out.

“I’m fine. Just going back to sleep. Night!”

The door cracks open despite my reassurances and Bentley’s head pokes through. Narrowed eyes find me in the dark, illuminated by the hallway light he switched on.

“I’m fine,” I repeat, running a hand through my curls and hoping he doesn’t see how frazzled I am.

Bentley paces inside, shutting my door behind him despite the fact that we’re the only ones in the house—other than my secret to my left. It feels like a threat, but thankfully, he lingers in the spot, his head tilting to the side.

“You were moaning, lil’ sis.”

Fuck, was I really that loud?“Bad dream.”

“Hm,” he replies with a slow blink, obviously doubting me. “If you want help, I’m more than happy to offer my services.” He takes a step forward, but I can’t let him come near the bed. He’ll spot Saint and I don’t have much of an explanation for his presence. Or any of one, really.

I slip out of bed before he comes too close, placing myself as a guard between Saint and him. “I’m fine.”

Bentley’s cold gaze studies me, stopping at my chest. Following his gaze, I notice what he has: that my nipples are hard, obvious through the tank, courtesy of Saint’s touching. I cross my arms, scowling.

He reaches for me, curling my hair around a finger as he murmurs, “Maybe by the end of our time together this week, you’ll understand how well we’d work.”

“Maybe.”Fucking delusional.The urge to smack is hand away isstrong, but it’ll only irritate him further, give him more reason to react and not leave.

He smirks, dropping my curl and spinning on his heel as he turns. “Have a nice night, Hayley. You smell great, by the way. I’ll dream of it.”

He shuts the door behind him, giving me a chance to finally breathe. I’m turning around, ready to announce to Saint he’s safe to stand, but he’s already on his feet. A shadow by my window, looking like death personified as he glares daggers at the door.

“Has he ever touched you before?”

SEVEN

SAINT

For the first time ever,I want to kill someone. Murder. Destruction. Mayhem. The entire nine yards, all so I can keep her safe. Hayley. No other name would fit my sweet girl.

She’s notmine, but fuck if she’s that asshole’s. Her stepbrother acts like he wants to be a whole lot more than siblings by marriage.

She protected me for a third time. When she could have admitted the monster beside her bed, she didn’t. Shehidme because she wants me here. The fact comes with a strange sensation in my chest.

When she got out of the bed and went to him, I very carefully peeked over the mattress, watching and gritting my teeth as he played with her curls. Curls that I also shouldn’t be allowed to touch, but hedefinitelyshouldn’t be.

I almost gave her dirty little secret up right then and there, if only for the pleasure of being able to see his expression.

---