Page 253 of Ashes of Sin and Stardust

“Okay... maybe after dinner.”

“Maybenext week.”

I set the lid on the pot of soup and reduced the heat, letting it simmer. The kitchen smelled like oregano, garlic, broth, and the sweet, rich Italian sausage I’d put in the soup. Setting the bag of coffee aside, I turned and slowly approached Alice. Her eyes widened and she backed up, her back hitting the counter behind her. She had rolled both of her lips into her mouth as if she were protecting them. Despite her arguments, she was blushing, and her eyes had gone wide.

I removed the dish towel from her hands, then picked her up by the waist and set her on the counter in front of me, bringing us almost eye to eye. With one hand on either side of her hips so as to trap her, I leaned close and held her gaze.

“Alice, I have something important I need to tell you.” I maintained the serious expression on my face as best I could, and she slowly released her lips from captivity.

“Okay... what?” Her expression was guarded, and she held her breath.

“I’m afraid I’ve grown quite attached to you. Unfortunately for you, that means you’re now stuck with me, as I have no intention of letting you go.”

Her eyes filled with tears, her lower lip quivered, and she let out a shuddering mew. “Why would you say that,” she mumbled, and then threw her arms around my neck.

I pulled her against me and hugged her tight, brushing her hair off her neck and nibbling at her soft skin, admiring the little pink marks left from the last time I’d abused her neck.

In her ear, I whispered. “Who do you belong to?”

Her voice shook as she whined. “No, please.”

“Tell me.” I opened my mouth and let my teeth rest on a pale, unmarked part of her skin.

“I hate you.”

“I know.”

“I want to break up.”

I laughed, and bit her neck.

“I belong to Reuben Weston.”

“Good girl... Now let me kiss you.”

Chapter 54

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