Page 79 of Bleed for Me

Valentine opened the door and leaned against it, his posture way too relaxed and his knees weak. Guilt churned my stomach as I slipped into the lit room, my eyes scouring the small space. A desk sat near the far wall with a file cabinet beside it. The walls were as bare as the rest of the building, but this wasmine. Warmth swelled deep inside me, a feeling I wasn’t too acquainted with as of late.

The sound of the door clicking shut behind him filled the room, sending my pulse thundering in my ears. I was alone withsomeone who was drunk. My throat was thick, my back still turned to him. I felt him approach, the heat of his body pouring down my spine, trickling through my veins.

“What do you think?” he asked, his voice much deeper and raspier than usual.

Footsteps sounded through my skull. Gentry’s footsteps. How he’d get so drunk that his footfalls became heavy right before the impending storm that would erupt moments later. Anticipation slithered through me as I waited for him to attack, just like Gentry would. My chest rose and fell rapidly while my hands remained balled into fists at my sides.

“It’s nice,” I whispered. “Thank you.”

Warmth coated my sides as his hands gripped them from behind. My pulse thundered within my ears, bile burning the back of my throat like acid. I was a fool to think Valentine was a good person. But despite my mind being on high alert, my body melted into him, seeking out the electric pull of his touch. His hands tightened around me, his fingertips digging into my sides.

“Fuck.” He breathed out. “You should leave.” He dropped his hands, the heat disappearing from my back. “Before I do something incredibly stupid.”

Relief poured into me. He wasn’t going to hurt me. Turning to face him, confusion twisted my features. Something more sinister took the place of the relief I’d just been granted. What if I wanted him to? It was no secret that he was attractive. He was a preacher, so I assumed he was off limits, but he obviously thought I was attractive, too. Right?

“Like what?” I challenged, my voice coming out much breathier than intended.

His eyes darkened and he took a step forward, invading my personal space again. His warm breath floated over my hair as he peered down, looking me in the eye with all of the confidencein the world. “You want me to tell you what I’d do to you?” he murmured.

I hesitated, knowing this wasn’t a good idea, but also knowing that I desperately wanted to know. So…I nodded instead.

He took another step, and I took one back. The desk bumped into my upper thighs and he took that opportunity to cage me in, placing a hand on either side of me while he gripped the edge of the desk. He pressed against me, the ridges of his hard erection digging into my lower abdomen. My breathing picked up and my head whirled with lust. My desire must have shown on my face because he smirked knowingly and bent his knees so that we were crotch to crotch before he grinded into me. My hands snapped out, fisting the front of his rumpled shirt.

“First, I’d eat your soaking wet pussy so good that you’d come all over my face. You’d count every orgasm that I gave you, and if you failed to do so, I’d punish you. Then, I’d make you gag on my cock until tears and spit ran down your face, leaving you an ugly-pretty, little mess.” He pushed into me again, making a whimper fall from my lips. This was so wrong, but so damn good it didn’t matter.

“And then?” I prompted, tightening my hold on his shirt, tugging him closer to me.

“And then…I’d lift you up on the desk, hike your skirt above your waist and fuck you so fucking hard, the desk would rock beneath your body.”

My heart was hammering against my ribcage, my knees buckling from the mere idea of it. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d wanted someone this badly, or if I’deverwanted someone this badly. Not even Seven. That had happened so fast, I didn’t even have time to think about whether I truly wanted it or not. I just knew in that moment that I wanted to lose my virginity—to know what it felt like, but this was different.

“Do it.”

He hesitated, varying emotions flickering across his face. “I can’t.” He sighed. “That’s why you need to leave.”

Desperation clawed at my insides. “Why not?” I didn’t care how pathetic I sounded. My pussy was aching with need.

“I took an oath. I’m celibate. I’m not even supposed to be drinking.”

Defeat flooded through me. I couldn’t ask him to break his oath for me. That was wrong, and a line that I couldn’t cross, regardless of how much I wanted to. Dropping my head, I nodded instead.

He moved his hand, lifting my chin with his index before leaning in and brushing his lips against mine in a light kiss. I opened for him, savoring the warmth of his soft mouth and whiskey-flavored breath. His tongue flicked over mine, making me tremble with desire. To my dismay, he pulled away too soon, his breaths coming out pain and ragged.

“You need to go. I’m sorry. I’m not in a good state of mind.”

“Okay,” I relented. “Just don’t do anything stupid.”

He laughed hollowly. “I think it’s a little late for that.” His smile faded and he moved away from me again, putting distance between us. “We’re going to the wellness retreat on Friday afternoon. Dr. Blake cleared you to go. I have some clothes in my car for you, I’ll bring them then.”

“Okay.”

He swallowed thickly, letting his eyes trail over my body one last time before he turned for the door. Once he was gone, frustration tore through my limbs. I exited the office and stormed out of the church, my clit so swollen with need that it ached, traveling through the rest of my organs. I needed a release. To be filled.

I made my way back to my room and paused at the door, my hand hovering over the doorknob when a stupid idea struckme. Turning, my eyes grazed over Archer’s door, uncertainty flickering through me. If Valentine refused to undo the need he caused within me, then I’d find someone who would. I started for Archer’s door, pushing it open. I was way past rationalizing that knocking seemed pointless. My gaze darted through the area, and I frowned when I noticed he wasn’t here.

Huffing, I retreated into the hall again. There was only one other option but screw it. If he could take what he wanted from me when it benefited him, then I could do it, too.

I stormed up to his door and pushed it open. He was on his bed, his hand fisting his cock as he stared up at the ceiling. He jerked up, his eyes wide and unfocused. When they settled on me, a sneer captured his features.

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