Page 87 of Ink Deep Devotion

Something flashes in his eyes, a softness I rarely see. A knowing sense that I need him just as badly as he needs me tonight. He’s going to sleep in my bed and not on the floor. I sense it, and it tugs at my lips.

“Mila, I—”

Suddenly, the door to the vacant dorm room opposite my tiny living space bursts open.

Oh shit! I forgot about my new roommate.

I’m such a terrible roommate! The administration told me I was getting a new roommate this weekend, but instead of offering help, I was stuck in the art studio, and now, at four in the morning, I’m having an argument with my… fiancé/lover/ the guy who hates me.

A girl steps out as she begins to clap her hands. Dash turns, shielding me from seeing her.

She keeps clapping as Dash’s hand slips behind his back. That’s when I see it: a matte black gun tucked into his pants. I frown as a tear slips free.

Has he used that gun before? Recently?

I want to take his hand in mine and kiss his knuckles until they feel clean again.

“What a wonderful first impression.” My new roommate announces.

“Who the fuck are you?” Dash steps forward as his hand touches the gun. I reach out, forcing his hand to grasp mine instead. His fingers flinch, but then he squeezes my hand, reassuring me he’d never let anyone hurt me… except him.

“She’s my new roommate. They told me I was getting one.” I push up and whisper into his ear.“Don’t shoot her!”

“I’m Nova, Nova Baladan. You are interrupting my beauty sleep, and it seems you’re bothering my roommate. If you don’t mind, kindly get the fuck out of this room before I make you regret it.”

Oh. My. God!

Nova is signing her own death certificate. However, I don’t think she gives a fuck.

I love it!Nova's exactly what I need in my life. A bulletproof vest, a boot to kick me in the ass and tell me to keep fighting until Dash is on his knees.

Nova speaks so confidently that it has my mind freezing. No woman in our world speaks to men like that, no girl who wants to remain alive. We’re dolls, and dolls just nod and look pretty.

I step out from Dash’s side. Wow, she’s stunning, tall, and lean like a model with long black hair. I touch my stomach after seeing her hard abs.

How does she get a body like that? It’s on display since she’s wearing boxers and a sports bra.I look from her to Dash, but his eyes remain respectfully on her face and not lower.

Will she try to flirt with Dash like my last roommate? I get the feeling that Nova would skin Dash alive and make a pair of boots out of him.

“You’ve had your fun with her. Does your dick feel bigger now that you bullied her and trespassed into our room?”

I bite my lip, but I also can’t help the giggle that slips free.

I like her. I’m worried she won’t survive the night, but I like her!

I glance up to see Dash grinning back at her. A cold, sinister, serial killer-like smirk.

“Dash, don’t.” I plead as I grab his forearm.

“I forgot to tell you I was getting a new roommate. Please,” My plea turns into a whisper so Nova won’t hear how weak I am. I want my new roommate to think I’m a rope—able to endure stress—not a rubber band ready to snap. Hell, at this rate, she’s going to think I’m even weaker than that, as flimsy as a strand of dental floss.

“Do you know what you just did, Nova?” Dash emphasizes her name like he’s calling forth his hellhounds to hunt her down.“You just marked yourself. You’re a dead girl walking now.”

Great. I get a roommate with balls, and Dash is going to ruin any bit of pleasure I have outside of him.

I expect her to back down. That is what a sane person would do.

She’s not sane.

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