Page 72 of The Prodigal

Why?

Why does this behavior turn me on?

“I can handle it,” I promise.

His brows rise, challenging me. “Are you sure? It might make you feelterrible.”

I can’t even deal with his shit right now. Well, I can, but I’m afraid my body might give me away since the last thing I feel in the presence of this man is terrible.

Turning, I flip him off. “Don’t drown while I’m gone. But should you find yourself swallowing water, remember: go to the light.”

I don’t wait for his response before I storm off, but I don’t need to. I can hear his answering laugh from here.

And. I. Love. It.

There’s no doubt that I’m enchanted by Remington Potter.

Never have I wanted—nor trusted a man to bend me over the hood of his car and spank me. I also would never trust a stranger enough to volunteer to join him on his quest for revenge.

The thing is, though, Remington isn’t like any man I’ve ever known.

He claims he’s a liar and a villain, but to me, he’s only ever been himself—a rude savior, who will use any excuse to justify touching me.

He didn’t spank me to punish me. He spanked me because he needed a reason to put his hands on me again. I can sense the tension—our shattered pieces pulling us together like magnets. There’s no denying we have a connection we don’t understand.

I feel safe when we’re together, and I’ve never felt that way with anyone—even the foster parents I stayed with once my mother went to prison.

Maybe it’s my broken past, or maybe it’s just fate stepping in and taking the reins.

Whatever it is, there’s no denying that I love the fearlessly reckless woman I am when in the presence of the dark lord of sarcasm.

Remington inspires the girl who’s been hiding for so many years to emerge and take back her life.

She no longer needs to live in fear or run from conflicts.

Today, I’m not Eden Da Luca, the daughter who was hated. I’m Eve, the mother of all women—the woman who was made for one man to reign over the world.

My mother doesn’t deserve parole. And when I return, Eve will stand before the parole board and say just that.

I’m done hiding.

I’m not responsible for her shitty decisions or her inability to love.

I didn’t ask for these experiences or the family I was born into, but I can sure as heck change my future.

Eden Da Luca is gone.

In her place stands the woman who steals a chair for her insufferable hero.

This woman is brave.

Independent.

And shameless.

I don’t have to be anyone else when I’m with Remington. I don’t have to say all the right things or be friendly.

I can be snarky.

---