Page 27 of Throne of Sin

“Well, try harder. That has to be enough.”

A throat clearing has me screaming and jumping. Dante is leaning on the doorframe in his boxers. I quickly end the call, hiding his cell behind my back. His hand is already out in a silent request for the phone to be placed in his palm.

“Prescription drugs. I should have known you would be classier and not get involved with street stuff.”

“I don’t do drugs. Any type.” I cross my arms, refusing to cower under his stare.

He lifts the phone from my fingers and presses the number I just called. I jump into action, taking the phone. “Fine, you found me out. I like to use them to take the edge off sometimes. It’s no big deal.”

“It is a big fucking deal. My girls are clean and don’t do drugs. Look at you shake. You’re going through withdrawal. Fuck, Demi.” His hand swipes through his hair.

“I just need a second and my shaking will stop.”

“It doesn’t work that way. Have you ever tried to quit cold turkey before?”

“I’ll be fine. Trust me.”

Dante takes a step toward me and I take a step back. His look is cold and calculated as his proximity forces me back until I hit the wall. I flinch as he moves incredibly fast, his forearms hitting the wall. The sound loud, as if he punched it.

“You can’t bully me into submission like you do to everyone else.” I mumble under my breath, but I know he heard by the way his jaw ticks.

My body continues to tremble as he presses himself further into my space until we’re practically touching from head to toe. All my emotions are knotted in the middle of my throat as the quiet noises of the settling house swirl around us.

Tick, tick…

The clock in the other room sounds like it’s encroaching on us, breaking through the sound of our heavy breathing.

“What am I going to do with you?” His thumb and forefinger feather across my throat, as if he’s testing to see if it fits. He applies pressure, not enough to hurt or block my airway, just enough to tell me he’s the one in charge. When he brushes against my pulse, a small smirk lifts his lips.

My nipples strain, pushing against Dante’s sweater.

“I should rip my shirt off you, bend you over, and teach you a lesson.”

I rub my legs together, liking the way his voice and power turns me on.

What is wrong with me?

He laughs, sounding out of control, like he’s about to snap. His hand sweeps down my throat, over my puckered nipple, and continues down my belly until he hits the naked flesh of my thigh.

“You’re one breath away from being a psychopath.” The defiance in my voice surprises even me.

He grips my hips, pressing himself into me. His thick erection has my clit tingling, wanting him to play with it. There’s a raw hunger in his eyes that pins me in place. I’m drawn to his darkness like a moth to a flame. I want all the evil promises I know he’s thinking but isn’t brave enough to speak aloud.

He’s always had a way of making me forget my problems, welcoming me into a world where nothing matters but him and me. The consequences could be worse than death and I’d still always go to him. I can’t help it. When he’s around, all rational thoughts dissipate. It’s only after that I realize I’ve been burned from playing with fire.

His fingers slip under the material and glide over the outside of my pussy. His smile grows, feeling me wet for his touch.

“Your pussy craves my psychosis. You’re one second away from falling to your knees and begging for my cock.” My chest rises and falls against his. “You always take it like a good girl.”

My legs shake and I place my hands against the wall behind me to help steady myself. “But tonight you’ve been a bad girl, and bad girls get nothing.” He pushes himself off the wall and the loss of his touch has my skin turning cold. I’m left stunned and ashamed as he walks back into the bedroom.

“I’ll give you five minutes to get your ass in bed, or else,” he calls from in the room.

I breathe out, not understanding what just happened. My eyes instantly tear, and I wipe them away. Dante doesn’t deserve my tears. He’ll be lucky if I don’t stab him while he sleeps.

“I can hear you over-thinking this, Demi. Get your ass to bed.”

The roar of my pulse sounds like a river in my ears. I step back into the dark room, thankful there are no lights on. He lifts the covers for me, and I hesitate.

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