Page 69 of Bake the Town Red

“Does this mean we’re back to talking?”

“Don’t know.”

The answer he gave me back in my shop is a poisonous whisper. A dull, persistent ache in my chest.

He ignores my growl, walking us down the hallway. The fluorescent light flickers, about to burn out. The toes of my sneakers lift off the floor with how fast Tyler’s dragging me backward. A scraping sound coming from my heels as I’m being hauled into my apartment.

A part of him believes he’s hurting me. That he’s taking me against my will.

False.

I want his hand off my mouth. I want to scream at him for leaving me. Then I’ll lock us in here for days until I’m absolutely sure that he’s mine for good.

He’ll take what’s his. Won’t give up on us ever again.

Bam.

I’m flipped once more, my back slammed against the door to my apartment. Tyler’s hand is firm on my mouth. The other one disappears into my bag.

“You taste like sugar.” Tyler pushes my face to the side, his tongue tracing the curve of my neck. His lips lighting up every nerve ending on my skin. “Like something more. You’re fucking addictive, you know that?”

I glare at him. At this furious man. The ravenous, hot man. Jesus, he’s stunning when he’s angry. Maybe it means he won’t leave. Maybe it means he’s fighting the terrible scenarios running through his head.

Vanquishing them. For me.

His teeth bite my ear. I scream into his palm while arching my back to get more friction. More of his cock.

“No, you don’t know.” I feel the moment his fingers lock around my key set. The muscles of his arm flex against my body. “I bet you thought it’d been easy for me, removing you from my life.”

It takes Tyler no time at all to locate the specific key he needs. One twist of his wrist, and the lock gives in. The door pushes open.

“I can’t stop thinking about you.”

He’s not done talking, but he’s done standing in the hallway. We’re in my living room, the door slamming behind us.

“You’re a special brand of venom. Made specifically for me. You’re everywhere.” My back is up against the wall. Tyler’s face is all I see. “You’re there to stay. Part of my DNA, aren’t you? I needed you out. Needed you gone. Needed to save you.You wouldn’t let me. You’ve always been there. I’m drenched in you. Fucking drowning.”

His fingers bite into my cheek. His eyebrows furl.

He’s agonized.

He’s acting as if he resents our love.

But not really.

This is him trying to get a rise out of me. Asking for a fight.

I’m always up to play with him. Always.

I scream into his palm. Bite him. Scratch his cheek.

His lips quirk. Eyes darken. Handsome and cruel.

“You were saying?” Tyler releases my mouth, cocking an eyebrow. He shoves his cock into me, letting me feel every hard inch of him. “Or is screaming all you can do?”

“Asshole,” I spit out. Each breath I take is a ragged one. New air filters into my burning lungs, and it hurts. I like it. “You’re a lying asshole.”

“Lying?” The violent energy in him is barely contained, wiping out his amusement. “Asshole?”

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