Page 46 of Violent Hearts

Chapter 21

Jared

I'm standing in my newly renovated kitchen, brewing coffee and preparing breakfast, while the little princess is still fast asleep. I rub my temples, knitting my eyebrows as I try to wake up and put the restless night behind me.

I made sure that she was okay several times after she passed out, her pussy still clenching around my cock. I knew she'd be this kind of girl, the kind that needs to be forced. The kind that doesn't want to let go of control, but tends to lose herself completely once she does. It's a dangerous contradiction, something that could get her into a lot of trouble if she ends up with the wrong person.

I could be that wrong person. I purchased her before knowing entirely what I was getting myself into. I thought her profession would cause the biggest problem for me, but as it turns out, it's a lot more than that.

She lost consciousness mid-orgasm. Nothing I haven't seen before, especially in combination with choking. It's a dangerous game, a game no one should play if they don't know who they're dealing with.

What was new to me was that she didn't wake up. She didn't return to me all night, and it worried the hell out of me. I let her lie in my bed for a while, staying at her side and watching the steady heaving of her chest to make sure she was still breathing. Minutes passed and she didn't come back. An hour passed, and she was still out. I turned her, gently pinching her face to see if she would react, and after a while, she did. Her eyes opened for a second, finding mine for just a moment before she closed them again.

As it got later, I carried her over to her bedroom. I don't sleep in the same bed as my girls, never. Even under these circumstances, I had to stick to my rule.

But I couldn't sleep. I found myself checking on her every hour, making sure that she was still breathing, sleeping, and not falling into a coma. She was fine every time, sleeping like a baby and breathing in a steady rhythm. Worn out, that's all. Once, she woke up when I checked on her, feeling her pulse on her neck, right next to a faint bruise left by my grip.

She opened her eyes and fixated on me, not moving an inch, just looking at me.

"You," she whispered after a while. And then she fell back asleep.

You.

What am I supposed to make of that? Nothing, probably. She was sleeping, dreaming maybe.

It's close to nine in the morning, the coffee is almost done brewing, and I want to check on her one more time, if only to decide whether I should prepare eggs for the both of us, or just for myself. But just as I'm about to make my way up to her bedroom, I see her coming down the stairs, looking tired and vulnerable, her hair tied up in a messy bun. She's wearing the white silk robe I deposited in her room, and it drapes her limber body in a soft embrace as she staggers down the stairs, rubbing her tired eyes. I cleaned her face before I left her to sleep, removing the crusts of smeared make-up that covered her eyes and cheeks, reminders of her tears of torment and bliss. I fucking love that picture on a woman's face. There's nothing more satisfying in the world. But so is seeing a pretty girl's face without any paint on it for the first time. Especially on a natural beauty like my Button.

She takes a deep breath before she comes up to the counter separating the kitchen from the living area, climbing on one of the high chairs while holding on to the counter top. The bruises on her neck have darkened and are clearly visible now. She needs to take precautions if she wants to leave the house today.

"Coffee?" I ask her.

She nods. "Yes. Please."

I place two mugs of freshly brewed coffee on the counter, leaning on my elbows opposite her. She evades my eyes and reaches for the mug right away, only to realize that it's still way too hot to drink.

"How are you feeling?"

Her face grimaces when she burns her lips on the hot coffee. She places the mug back on the counter top and shrugs.

"Fine. Exhausted."

Fine? That's all she's giving me? After all that happened last night?

"Fine, huh?" I say. "Glad to hear it. And I'm sorry if you missed me this morning."

She looks up with a puzzled expression. "Missed you?"

"I've heard complaints from girls about them having to sleep alone after I fucked them."

She huffs. "You won't hear those words from me. I like having my own bed."

I take a sip of my coffee and try to swallow the weird knot her words cause in my throat. "Good."

"Besides, I know what I signed up for," she adds, casting me a tired look. "Just fucking and playing loyal partner in the public eye. I don't believe the contract said anything about cuddling sessions."

I snort and shake my head at her. She's unbelievable.

"Was that just fucking for you last night?" I want to know. "You passed out while you were still wrapped around my cock."

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