Page 16 of Riot's Thorn
He freezes, and I wonder if I shouldn’t have said anything. I can practically hear his churning thoughts as he mulls over my insult, but then he relaxes back into me. “You’ll get used to it.”
I sniffle, emotion clogging my throat. “I won’t. You can keep me here as long as you want, but you’ll never be anything other than the man who ruined my life.”
“Strong words for a girl who doesn’t know shit about shit.”
“Then tell me what I’m missing because I can’t imagine anything that would make me hate you less for killing my only remaining family member.”
“You’re not ready.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“Rest now. We’ll talk in the morning.”
“You’re certifiable if you think I can sleep next to you.”
His response is to trace slow circles on my stomach with his thumb. I tense, wondering if he was lying about raping me just so I’d be compliant, but he never moves too far north or south. Eventually, my muscles relax.
“That’s a girl,” he whispers.
I roll my eyes, but I’m done arguing for the day. Nothing I say will make him let me go. My only hope will be escaping. I stare straight ahead, determined not to sleep. I can’t trust him, and maybe if he’s a heavy sleeper, I can slip out of bed and get a closer look at the front door and windows.
I awaken with my cheek pressed against something warm and smooth, a heavy weight resting on my lower back. I blink my eyes to adjust to the morning light streaming into the room and try to remember where I am. Everything hits me at once, and I pop my head up, leaving a pool of drool under me.
“Shit.” I shove against Riot’s chest, mortified I was lying on top of him.
He’s on his back, one hand behind his head, the other dropping to the mattress from where it was holding me. His lip twitches, which is probably as close to an amused grin as this man gets.
“What did you do? Wait until I was asleep and then force me closer?” I jump off the bed, my hands fisted at my sides.
He swipes at the drool on his chest and brings it up to inspect it. My brows furrow, and I gasp when he opens his mouth and sucks my saliva from his finger. What the actual fuck? I’m literally speechless.
“No, Little Thorn. You did that all on your own.” He pushes up to sit.
“You’re lying.”
“I was just as surprised as you, since I get the feeling you don’t like me.”
“I hate you.”
“Might want to tell your body that.” He swings his feet off the bed and stands to stretch.
I didn’t notice what he ended up sleeping in last night, but I see the white boxer briefs now. I also see the outline of his long, thick cock stretching up to his hip. Just because I’m a virgindoesn’t mean I haven’t seen dicks before. I rely heavily on porn and my vibrator to meet my needs. I just never thought I’d see one like his in the wild.
Something that big has to be rare, right?
Why the hell am I focused on the size of penises right now? This is inappropriate and downright stupid. This man is a murderer, and I might be his next victim. Who cares what his junk looks like?
“Men’s testosterone level is highest in the morning, which is enough to cause an erection,” he says, forcing my gaze up. I expect to find a smug smile, but his expression is blank. Still, my cheeks heat, and I chastise myself for letting my guard down.
“I’m going to use the bathroom,” I say and leave the room, embarrassed.
After doing my business and using a new toothbrush I find in a drawer, I run my hands through my sleep-mussed hair. My gaze locks on my throat, and I trace where each finger squeezed, almost wishing there were marks there. Being at his mercy was initially terrifying, but when he finally released me, I felt an exhilaration I can’t explain, like I cheated death or something.
This isn’t one of your dark romance novels, you idiot.
This whole situation is messing me up. I feel like if just one more unthinkable thing happens, I’ll lose my grasp on the small grip of reality I have left. All I want to know is how this will end and what he’s planning on doing with me.
The rich aroma of coffee has me leaving the only space I feel safe. I need some creature comforts if I’m going to survive, and that starts with caffeine. Walking into the living room, I stop dead in my tracks when I see the two rats wrestling on the ugly carpet. They’re in my way, but I don’t dare walk past them.
