Page 50 of His to Keep

I shake my head. “And yet you’ll watch your father rape me.” He grits his teeth. “Fight,” I suddenly blurt. “Fight with me, and we’ll get out. Have a life away from this place. You hate him and what he does but do his bidding? For what?”

His teeth grind together. “It’s not that simple.”

“It is. I think the only reason you’re staying is because of your mother. Why can’t you see that she will put him before you always?”

“It’s nothing to do with her. Never has been.” His tone is stern. Impatient. “You don’t want a life with me. I can’tgiveit to you. You don’t know what orwhomy father is involved with. The people he’s friends with will come for us both if we escape. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Orla before, or about the new girl. I’m sorry I keep hurting you. But why can’t you see that I’m trying to keep you safe?”

“Then prove it.” He frowns with confusion as I take his hand and pull him into the bedroom. Pushing him onto the bed, I step between his parted knees. If anybody walks in and witnesses this, I’ll be dead in an instant.

Why don’t I care?

Running my hand through his hair, he breathes out, his hands gripping the back of my thighs. “When your father had you whip me to convince him that I hadn’t used my wickedness and seduced you, you proved it to him. So, prove to me that you’re sorry. That you’re trying to keep me safe. That youcareabout me.”

He gazes up at me questioningly. “How?”

Leaning into him, I lower my head and kiss him. Unlike before, this kiss is slow and deep. Maybe it’s the wine, but it feels enhanced somehow, his taste driving me wild. Butterflies erupt inside my chest. It’s been a while since it’s been like this, and I’vemissedhim. Letting my hands slip down, I go to grab the button of his pants. But like I knew he would, he immediately grabs my wrists. Our eyes clash, and I hope he can see what I want without saying the words aloud.

“Ava, no.” He shakes his head, moving away from me by standing. “You don’t want that.”

“Don’ttellme what I want.” Emotion swells in my chest that he’s about to reject me. “This is the one thing I still have control of. So much has been taken away from me already, don’t let him take this choice away.”

“We can’t—”

“If you do care about me, feel anything for me, then give me this.”

Scrubbing a hand down his face, he groans. “You won’t be a virgin anymore. We got away with it last time, but we won’t the next.”

Reaching out, I grab his arm. “Callum—”

“No. If that’s not bad enough, I’ll hurt you. It won’t even be worth it.”

“I know it’s supposed to hurt.”

He shakes his head. “What you’re asking—”

“Is something you want to happen, and so do I.”

“You don’t knowwhatyou want,” he argues. “You’re drunk and being irrational. I’d never do anything without your consent.”

“I had two glasses. I’m not drunk. You have my consent to take my virginity.”

“You’re not thinking straight.” Walking toward me, he grabs the back of my neck and our foreheads touch. “Don’t ask me to do this.”

“Please,” I whisper, gripping his shirt. “Help me trust you.”

Staring into my eyes, I gasp when he gives in and kisses me. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I kiss him back, my stomach somersaulting, realizing I’ve never stopped wanting him. Even though he’s a liar. Even though he won’t fight his family to free us.

If this is all he can give me, then it has to be enough.

As his tongue enters my mouth, he grabs my hips and backs me up against the dresser. His mouth drops to my neck as he grips my backside and lifts me. Wrapping my legs around him, he pulls away so we can both catch our breaths.

“Tell me to stop.” I shake my head, clinging onto him, afraid that he’ll push me away if I don’t hold on tight. “Do you still dream of me?”

“Every night.”

He kisses me again. Carrying me over to the bed, he sets me down and leans up to look at me. With his black hair hanging over his forehead, he resembles every bit the Devil’s son as his hands run down my stomach and thighs. It tickles, and I moan, burning hot. My panties are already soaked. The familiar ache and need for him firing up.

Pulling down the cups of my bra, he leans over me and swirls his tongue around my nipple, groaning like he’s been starved and he’s getting his first meal. Lifting his head, he squeezes his eyes shut. “We can’t do this.”

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