Page 80 of Promises in the Dark

“And what about you?” she huffed in frustration, trying to wriggle out from under me.

But I held her firmly in place, enjoying the way her body squirmed beneath mine. “Oh, I’d be just fine.”

Red glared up at me, her chest heaving with exertion. “Let me go, you bastard,” she spat, trying to buck me off.

“The more you fight, the brighter your eyes shine in the darkness,” I laughed, leaning in closer until our faces were mere inches apart. “It’s quite alluring.”

She struggled beneath me, all sharp elbows and knees, trying to break free. But every movement made her rub against me, and fuck if that didn’t make me harder than steel.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” she panted, sweat glistening on her brow.

My cock twitched at her words, betraying me like it had a mind of its own. “You bet your ass I am,” I shot back, grinning like a maniac. “But you know what? So are you.”

Her movements faltered for just a second, her fiery eyes flickering with surprise before she pulled herself together. “You think this is funny?” she demanded, pushing against my chest like she actually thought I’d back off.

I should’ve kept my distance. Should’ve held myself back. But I didn’t.

My cock was harder than a goddamn diamond, throbbing like it was gonna tear through my pants any second.

As I pressed my aching length against her, I heard her soft gasp—sweet as hell. That sound was like pouring gasoline on a fire.

My body was burning up, every inch of me ready to lose it. I moaned low in my throat, my need for her practically driving me mad.

“No, Red,” I murmured, my lips brushing against hers. “I think it’s fucking hot.”

She didn’t resist. Not a word. Just looked at me with those eyes that promised everything and nothing all at once.

And for a moment, just a brief fucking moment, I swore I could feel her smile against my skin.

Fuck, I had to keep my head straight. Every inch of me was on fire, craving her touch like a junkie craves their next hit. But my mind knew better.

Nope, not going there.

The cold reality hit me like a bucket of ice water. She hated me. All this time, I’d been chasing after her, trying to be the guy she wanted me to be, and for what? So she could use me and toss me aside like yesterday’s trash?

No fucking way.

I pushed myself off her, standing and offering her a hand up. She took it, glaring daggers at me as she dusted herself off.

As she straightened up, her gaze flickered down to my crotch, where my bulge was clearly visible against the fabric of my pants. I saw the way her eyes widened for just a fraction of a second before she quickly looked away, pretending she hadn’t seen anything.

Bullshit.

I saw the way her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard, her tongue darting out to wet her lips and the slight flush creeping up her neck.

And the way her pupils blew wide? Yeah, she was feeling it too.

I smirked. Couldn’t resist poking at her. „Enjoying the view?”

Her jaw clenched, but she didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, she shot me another glare, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment or anger—I couldn’t quite tell which.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” she snapped, but her eyes betrayed her.

Oh, she hated me, alright. But she wanted me just as bad.

And I was going to enjoy every second of it.

“Oh, I think I do flatter myself,” I murmured, my breath ghosting over her skin.

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