Page 69 of Malicious Intentions

“Lexi. I’m not going to hurt you, much less kill you.” A smirk curls my lips. “Let me amend that. I’m not going to cause you any pain that wouldn’t be followed by pleasure.”

Her thighs clamp together. She squirms in the seat, long lashes blinking at me.

I tuck a strand of her silky chestnut hair behind her ear. “The world is a better place with you in it.” Blowing out a breath, my thumb strokes her cheek. “At first, I thought you were after my father’s money. But I know better.”

“I don’t want his money. I mean, yeah, I need it to attend college. But I was doing just fine without it.”

“If everything was taken from you—your education, all the clothes, and the bedroom furniture—how would you feel then?”

“Those things matter, but they aren’t a priority.” Her cheeks pinken as she blows out a breath. “As much as I hate admitting this, I’d miss you. A lot. I’d miss Sophia, too.”

A smile curls her lips. “But if everything was taken away and I was sent back to my childhood home, I’d be okay with that. It would be lonely without my gram, but?—”

“You’re not going back there.” I cut her off. My voice is rough, full of more emotion than I’ve felt since my mom’s death. “You’re staying right here with me. I’m not letting you go, Lexi. Not ever.”

She blinks at me, slowly comprehending my words.

It was my fault she went to the party. I knew she was pissed when I staked my claim over her.

I meant what I said. I’m letting her off the hook with the extra credit assignment because I was the one who changed her answers and gave her a lower grade to get her into my office so I could fuck her there again.

She’s an obsession that has crept beneath my skin, permeating my thoughts constantly.

Sneaking into her room at night isn’t enough. The minute I leave her room, I miss her.

Whenever I close my eyes, I dream about her.

When I’m not around her, she haunts my thoughts. I track her phone and have a device in her necklace that tracks her whereabouts.

But it’s not enough.

I want to infiltrate her every thought, haunt her when she’s asleep until she’s as consumed by me as I am by her. Every breath, every beat of her heart, belongs to me.

“Evan.” She cocks her head. “I-I’m sorry about your mom.” The sincerity in her eyes makes my cold, broken heart squeeze inside my chest.

“Me, too.” I grab her hand and lift it to my lips, kissing her knuckles. “I’m glad you’re here. I usually do this alone.”

Her eyes soften, melting me like butter. “I’m glad I’m here, too. I hate the thought of you being here alone.”

“Sit tight. I’ll be around to get you.”

Hurrying from the car, I grab the flowers from the backseat and then jog around the car.

I whip the door open and lean over her to unfasten her seatbelt, but she’s already done it. I hold out my hand, and when she takes it, I interlock our fingers, helping her from the car.

“That skirt should be illegal.” I push the door shut behind her, one hand wrapped around hers while the other holds the flowers.

She looks down at her outfit, then at me. “Why?”

“You know why,” I growl.

“Ohh… someone’s cranky.” She gives me a teasing smile, teetering on her high heels. I wrap my arm around her, pulling her into my side where she belongs.

“Be careful, bellissima. You don’t want to see me cranky.”

CHAPTER 46

Evan

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