Page 201 of Sinning for Santa

He gives me a sad smile then. One that doesn’t reach his eyes as he responds. “I’ve stared at your number every fucking day since I sent you way. Hell, I even got rid of your piece of shit ex fiancé for you.”

My mouth drops open as I gasp, while Presley giggles.

“You owe me fifty bucks, sis. I told you it was no accident.”

“Are you serious?” I whisper, and again Devon nods, doing that thing again where he presses his forehead to mine.

“Yes. He’d been following you. Stalking you. Spying on you from across the street. He even grabbed you at Cloud 9. He had to go. I needed to do that so you could be safe.”

Holy. Fucking. Shit.

He actually murdered my ex fiancé.

And why aren’t I mad about that? What is wrong with me?

You’re a scandalous sinner, Jaxcen. Stop fighting it.

“You know about Eddie coming to Cloud 9?” I ask, and he nods.

“Comeback home with me.” He cups the other side of my face. “Let me make my shitty decision up to you. I promise you won’t regret it.”

Should I really forgive him?

I want to, but is it the right thing to do?

What if it’s not?

But, what if it is?

What if going with Devon, giving him this chance, is my happily ever after?

What if it turns out better than I ever thought I deserved?

What if he’s the best dad, loving and protecting, giving our child a life without any of the horrors I’ve endured?

I stare into his deep dark eyes for a long time as he waits patiently for me to respond.

A warm calm rushes through me from head to toe and I know… I already know what I have to do. What I want to do.

I lick my lips and suck in a deep breath as I take a step backwards, putting some distance between us.

“If you want me to come with you. You’ll have to make me.”

That absolutely wicked grin only Devon Marx can pull off, kicks up his lips, and he starts to slowly roll up his shirt sleeves.

Damn, why is that so hot?

“I’ll do it, little mouse. I’ll kidnap you over and over until you come to terms with the fact that you belong with me. In my bed. By my side.”

I give a non caring single shrug of my shoulder as I continue walking backwards getting closer to my bedroom door, ignoring Presley’s excited giggles and claps.

“If you can catch me, you can keep me.”

My words elicit an animalistic growl, and I spin with a squeal, running out of my room and down the hall towards the front door.

I can hear his wicked laugh before those heavy feet and long strides start chasing me, and my heart almost leaps out my throat as I grip the handle of the apartment door and throw it open, bolting out into the passage.

As I dash past the lifts, I press the button but keep running, knowing it won’t get here in time.

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