Page 46 of Regrets

She leans down, picking up her sunglasses and sliding them back over her eyes before turning back to me, her chin lifted up. “I wish it hadn’t.”

She turns and goes inside, her cloak back in place, going back to being his Pea.

Me too, but it fucking did, and now all I want is for her to hurt like I do.

24

PENELOPE

Ican’t stop thinking about Linc being in the lake earlier this morning, the way he looked up at the sky, completely unmoving.

Does he do that often?

I can barely stand to be near the water anymore, but he immersed himself all the way to his neck and lay there, drifting. He looked calm in the water, but as he approached me, I could see he was ready for battle like he always is with me, especially after prom night a year ago.

He hates me.

I don’t blame him.

And he’s right. I like the pain. I lay on my bed and stare up at the ceiling, knowing there is probably something I should be doing now but not wanting to move.

I turn my head, listless and having to force myself to make that simple movement to look out the window, seeing that the sun is now setting in the sky.

I hear the front door close and know Linc is home, but I’m not sure where he was. I want more punishment. I want to feelsomething, and pain seems to be the only emotion that registers these days.

My bedroom door is open, and I hear him walking down the hall, knowing this is my chance.

I’m sure he’s still pissed from our argument this morning. For all I know, he’s coming back from being in some other girl’s bed, but I don’t care. Maybe that would make it hurt more.

I lie flat on my bed, facing the door, wearing what I picked out just for him and this moment, a sheer black and white, silky robe left open and a matching lacy black bra and thong.

My hand slides over the tops of my breasts as I listen to his shoes on the wood floor in the hallway and then see his shadow before I see him, his large body crowding my doorway as he stops but doesn’t say a word.

It doesn’t surprise me. He has control.

I push the left side of the robe open further and slip my hand down over my bare stomach as he watches me.What the hell do I have to lose anymore?

He already hates me. Colt is gone. Nora and Lola don’t know anything real and are stuck in their own personal hell because of me.

My hand dips under my panties, sliding underneath to my bare pussy as my eyes connect with him. “It’s your turn to watch.”

His eyes stay trained on me as I run my other hand over my breasts, sliding under one cup of the bra. He walks into my room, his face dark and ominous as he stalks to the bed, his body looming over mine. “I’ve never been one to sit back. I’d rather take what I want.”

I know that’s meant to sting, but it’s the truth. I remove both hands, propping myself up on my elbows and parting my thighs. “So, then take.”

I can feel his irritation as his body moves over mine, those eyes fixed on my own before his mouth moves to my jaw, kissing and sucking his way down before he uses one hand to pin both my wrists above my head.

“You want pain?”

I nod my head once, unable to shake the rush of fear I feel looking into his eyes. “Yes.”

“That’s what you want, P? You want me to fucking hurt you over and over again? Leave a mark on your soul?”

His free hand moves between us, pushing inside my panties. “Yes.”

“You want us both to suffer for one night of pleasure?”

“We should. Everyone else is.”

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