Page 22 of Burn for Me

‘So what now?’ she asked, her words hesitant.

A visit to the cottage was on the cards, but I neither could nor I cared to tell her that. Instead, I closed the distance between us, enjoying the widening of her eyes with each step.

Her lower lip quivered as I ran my finger gently over her jawline, fear sparking across her lovely features. Sinking my fingers deep into her wet hair, I tipped her head back and drew my face close to hers, inhaling deeply.

In all the years it had been melted shut, never had I wanted to be able to open my stupid fucking mouth and taste something so desperately.

Fuck, I wanted to devour her.

She let out a little squeak that had my dick straining against my pants.

Her fear was enough to stoke me—for now.

I simply shrugged as she took a shaky breath, and my cheek twitched, the closest to a smile I’d had in an eon.

When I walked out onto the deck, glass smashed against the door, an angry screech following the crash.

That’s it, Laura. Feed the rage. It’ll stoke my fire, my little ember.

TWELVE

Laura

The boat moved steadily as the day turned from bright to an orange blaze, eventually dipping into darkness.

Boredom ate at me in the silence of the bedroom. Phoenix hadn’t come to see me other than to hand me another god-awful shake. The highly sweetened creamy liquid tasted awful. He didn’t seem to be forthcoming with any actual food, however, so I drank it through gritted teeth.

Moonlight reflected across the waves, like great glittering, never-ending scales on some behemoth of a beast. Where were we going? The boat seemed to move with purpose, heading in one direction.

With a sigh, I opted to go out and ask him. It had to be better than sitting there and wondering.

Opening the bedroom door, a hauntingly beautiful series of notes wrapped their way around me. Muffled at first, they became clearer with each step I took toward the deck. Creeping along the wall of the wheelhouse, I headed towardthe sweet, yet morose music as if pulled toward it by some sort of magic.

Phoenix stood near the bow of the boat, a violin resting just below his chin, his fingers artfully pulling a melody from its fraught strings. His hands moved swiftly, caressing the bow across the bridge and making the old violin sing as prettily as any sea siren. I stilled, watching him.

Two large metal bins burned between us, throwing a bright orange glow over his muscled forearms which danced under the ministrations of his playing. Tendons stood out amongst the veined muscles on one arm, while the other was webbed with the same scarring which marked his face and neck. His eyes were closed, the warm light dancing across his features, lost utterly in the rapturous music.

It was a beautiful sight. I wanted to revel in it almost as much as I wanted to tear it apart. He was supposed to be a monster.

Even the devil loves music.

A sad smile twitched at my lip. My mother had often said it, trying to tell me that giving into temptations would lead to trouble. But being the good girl had landed me here. Stuck on a boat with a man who I’d agreed to let use me for whatever he wanted, miles from home and completely alone.

I’d played her game. Agreed to marry for the family cause. What did it get me? A hole in the chest and a swim with fucking sharks.

I was done playing by anyone else’s rules.

Getting Phoenix to believe I was the submissive, weak woman was my goal. Then I’d kill him. Drive a knife through his neck until he choked on his own blood.

My breath caught when I caught his gaze locked onto me, his eyebrows dipping as though he could read my thoughts.

He tipped his head toward a low bench beside one of the fiery bins, and I reluctantly made my way to it.

Firelight warmed my face, his fingers not letting up on the violin, pulling ever sweeter notes from her while I focused on the dark horizon far in the distance. I closed my eyes and let the music wash over me, letting myself pretend I was at one of Mother’s parties, surrounded by people who knew me.

The bobbing of the boat along with the music lulled me into a place of peace, and I let my muscles relax. Exhaustion tingled through my body. Between the healing bullet wound in my chest and my dip in the sea, I was desperately tired.

A hand caressed through my hair, and I moaned softly before jolting away from the touch.

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