Page 71 of Never Die for a Sinner
Fuck . . . I’ve jacked off three times in the last twenty-four hours, and even if my cock is sore from how many times I’ve come, it’s not enough.
The need to unravel her secrets one by one until there’s not a single thought in that pretty little head I don’t consume gnaws at me.
It’s so far past a desire at this point, even I can’t help but wonder for my fucking sanity.
If I thought I understood this . . .obsessionbefore, that ship has sailed. I’m officially losing my goddamned mind, and the little brunette brat that sleeps across the hall from me is the culprit.
I down the glass of whiskey beside me, letting the burn coat my throat and push away the disturbing thoughts that have been swirling through my head since I chased her through the forest.
I set my empty glass down on the desk beside me. I don’t come out here often?—not anymore—but I needed to think.
It’s a stupid plan. One that’s only going to make this harder in the long run.
Most people would recommend committing me.
Most people don’t have little Miss Ava Ryan living across the hall from them, with her pretty fucking smile, either.
All I need to do is get her out of my system, and when I’m done with her, she’ll move on, and I’ll be free of this . . . burden eating away at me. I can detach myself once she’s not the unobtainable prize.
I’ll hold up my end of the deal. Then, I’ll let her go.
Looking up at the wooden beams that run across the cabin, I can’t help but chuckle.
Ava has no idea what’s coming, but I meant what I said. I gave her three days to think I’d forgotten about her sneaking around in my room.
Unfortunately for her, I’m a Cross. We don’t forget.
She’ll tell me her secrets and if I have to fuck them out of her, well then . . . I guess I’m willing to take one for the team.
AVA
You know that feeling of being watched?
It’s been a week since Levi chased me through the woods, and three days since that little impromptu closet tryst, and I’m starting to think I won’t ever return to normal. My body isn’t sore anymore, and some of the bruises have healed, but there’s this strange new . . . ache between my thighs whenever I think of him.
I’ve caught myself staring into space more than once, daydreaming about that night. Quite frankly, it’s embarrassing. It was just sex. Not a damned marriage proposal.
I can’t help but wonder if this is how all the girls he sleeps with feel? Or am I just that pathetic that I’m secretly pining after his attention, even if I actively shun him whenever I see him, like he’s the walking plague.
More times than I can count over the last three days, I’ve felt that strange tingling sensation on the back of my neck. Like he’s watching me, waiting for his moment to strike. I know he hasn’t forgotten about me searching through his room, and the longer I have to wait for the proverbial hammer to come down, the more anxious I am.
I’ve come up empty-handed, but Mr. Marks hasn’t returned to the nursing home. I’m starting to get the feeling he’s toying with me. Maybe he’ll send one of his big gargoyles to strangle me in the forest one day, leaving my body to rot like the leaves that cover the ground.
My only peace is my daily walk, and even that is turning out to be anything but. Like today. I’m alone and out later than normal because Mila and Christian went to the city, and Alex is out doing whatever it is Alex does. It’s a nice day, slightly warmer than it has been, but the sun is quickly setting over the horizon, and soon, everything will be cast in shadows.
The last thing I want to do is be caught out in these same woods again, so I’m rushing to get back to the house before nightfall.
I feel like someone’s watching me, and my heart is beating more and more unsteadily with each step.
They wouldn’t send someone here, would they? I mean, I’m on a pretty popular path. I’m sure someone would notice something. Furthermore, he made no mention of what he would do tome. Only Levi.
And then I’m right back to where I started. Anxious. Overwhelmed. Sick to my stomach.
And all this over a man who doesn’t even care about me.
I walk faster, a sudden chill skating down my spine.
I hate feeling vulnerable.
