Page 75 of Devil's Bargain

My eyes meet his. “I’m not a poster you can stick on your wall or a trophy you can place in the glass cabinet.”

He draws his leg up on the bed. “No. I get the sense no one can capture you.”

I hold his gaze for a moment too long before clearing my throat and turning in a circle. “What’s your favorite feature in this room?”

“Right now, it’s you.”

Amused, I roll my eyes.

“Fine…” He drops his head back between his shoulders.

I stare at his arched neck.

“I like the lampshade.”

My mouth forms on ‘O’. I lift my head and look at the non-existent lampshade. “It’s just a bulb.”

“That’s why I like it.”

“I don’t understand.”

He lies back on the bed, arm behind his head, and gestures around the room. “Everything is so perfect.” He points to the lamp bulb. “That is not!”

My eyes are on his big body on the bed. “You like it because it’s not perfect?”

He rolls his head and stares at me for a long minute. “Yeah.”

I feel like we’re not talking about the lack of a lampshade at all. “When are your parents getting back?”

His eyes are intense as he says, “Not until tomorrow night.”

My throat is dry. It makes me parched to look at him on the bed. Not to mention the places my mind wanders. I avert my gaze. “Where’s Madeleine tonight?”

“Not here.”

Our eyes collide.

“Where’s the hitter?”

“The hitter?” I ask, pulling out his desk chair. I need to keep my distance. It scares me how drawn I feel to him. It’s dangerous.

“The guy who hits you.”

“Not here,” I reply, throwing his words back at him.

“But you’ve been with him.”

I look at Rick, my brows furrowing.

He sweeps his eyes over my face and neck. “You have fresh bruises.”

“You’re very perceptive,” I whisper, touching my hand to my neck.

“Can you fuck without pain?”

I cringe. “Rick…”

“You don’t have to answer. I’m just curious.”

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