Page 5 of The Way You Hurt Me

Someone shoot me.

"Jesus.” I chuckle, despite myself. "You're a handful, aren't you?" I stand, putting some distance between the brat and me. "I'm too old for you until you stop getting carded."

"I’m not trying to buy beer," she shoots back.

"No, you’re just trying to fuck a man who’ll wreck you." That’s far worse.

"Morgan—" she starts.

I don’t let her get another word in."She’s someone else’s woman."

I need her to understand, very clearly, that she cannot possibly see me that way. No one should, but especially not anyone as sweet and innocent at her.

"I treat her like a lady. I wouldn’t treat you like one. You’re no one else’s property. I’d fuck you so hard you can’t walk for a week, long after you beg me to stop."

Honestly? I’m not certain where that comes from. I should just tell her she’s too young—which she is. Instead, I’m warning her about what I would do if I touched her. That’s not the right thing to say, and I can’t even begin to understand myself here. I should blame the scotch, but I know better.

All of a sudden, I know why I call her petal. She’s meant for the Heritage. One glimpse into our world, and she wants in. She’ll absolutely be one of us, and soon.

Very soon.

Not yet.

"Find a boy. Come to me after college."

I start to walk away, resolving to stay the fuck away from the kid for the rest of the night, the weekend, and hopefully, the next couple of years, too.

I wasn’t kidding: I’d break her. She’s far better off with someone her age, someone she can handle, with those sweet little reddening cheeks and adorable curls.

Isn’t she attending Cross and Roses? I remember Camden mentioning it when he asked me to keep an eye on her when she’s in the city. That’s a Heritage school; I’m sure some of the boys will see what I got a glimpse of just now.

Her hunger.

Her craving.

The way those blue eyes darken with desire and?—

I get no warning. One moment, I’m stepping towards the stairs, escaping her general vicinity before I do something we’ll both regret; the next, she’s tugged my sleeve, propped herself up on her tiptoes, and thrown herself at me, her tiny little frame flush against mine.

2

DIMITRI

What. The. Fuck.

It takes me a second to react because I honestly can’t say anyone has taken such liberties with me in my twenty-seven years. Not once. For good reason.

What. The. Ever. Fucking.Hell?

The kid has the gall to dart her tongue out, licking my lower lip.

I stopped smoking in fucking high school and I need a cigarette.

I’ve always known that girl was trouble. Most people, her own sister included, approach me with caution, like they know deep down what kind of man I am. Not this kid. Not from the very first.

I met her the day after her sister’s kidnapping. She smiled at me and offered me a stick of gum.

Me.

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