Page 44 of Princess of Hawthorne Prep

That’s the thing about Jasper. His touch can turn from tender to punishing in the blink of an eye and without explanation.

Actually, there is a reason.

He enjoys it.

Enjoys inflicting pain.

Enjoys the terror he’s capable of rousing in someone weaker.

“What were you doing out here in the woods, Delilah? Looking for someone to fuck?” His voice fills with faux sympathy. “Has Austin already lost interest? That was fast.”

When I twist in his arms, his grip turns punishing. His fingers tighten around my throat until it’s a challenge to draw air into my lungs.

“Stay still. I don’t want you passing out on me. Where would be the fun in that? When I finally fuck you, I want you struggling, fighting me with every breath you take.”

Panic floods through my system because it’s the truth. That’sexactlythe way he would want it.

He doesn’t want anything that is given to him.

He wants to fight for it.

Fight me.

“You’re a total psycho,” I grunt, chest heaving as my brain whirls, looking for a way to escape.

A chuckle slides from his lips. “Just for you, baby. Don’t ever forget it.”

Tears of frustration prick the backs of my eyes as the question slips free before I can stop it. “Why won’t you leave me alone? I don’t want anything to do with you.”

“That will never happen,” he growls, voice vibrating with anger. “You were always meant to be mine.”

“No.”

He presses his lips to the side of my neck. “Oh, yes. Did you really think for one damn second that I’d let Austin Hawthorne stand in the way of what I want?”

A whimper escapes from me as I squeeze my eyes tightly shut and try to block out his words.

“Looks like we have an audience,” Jasper whispers gleefully. “I couldn’t have planned it better myself.”

Everything inside me sinks. By the excitement bursting from his tone, I know exactly who I’ll find. But I can’t stop myself from opening my eyes and praying that I’m wrong. My lashes cautiously lift until my gaze can lock on the muscular boy watching us from the top of a dune.

“Aus—”

When I attempt to call out, Jasper’s fingers tighten around my throat, cutting off my airway as his other hand rises to my breast before squeezing it cruelly.

“Should we put on a show?”

“No,” I wheeze.

He pinches my nipple and I gasp, trying to escape from his punishing touch.

“Mmm, that’s right. Grind against me, baby. Show me how much you want my dick,” he says loudly enough for Austin to hear.

Even from this distance, it would be impossible not to see the cold rage that flashes across his expression before he swings away, disappearing toward the beach and leaving me to battle my ex on my own.

As soon as his fingers loosen from around my throat, I gulp a deep breath of cool night air into my lungs, holding it captive for a handful of seconds before releasing it back into the atmosphere. My body sags against Jasper’s as he holds me firmly in place.

His fingers sink into the soft flesh of my breast and pain explodes within me. Unlike Austin’s touch, there is no hint of pleasure to chase after it.

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