Page 62 of Heathens

Crimson blooms along her cheeks and travels down her chest as she exhales, staring me down for a moment before draining the rest of her drink.

“Wow, youaretenacious.”

I grin and reach out, hooking one finger beneath her chin to lift it.

“Say yes.”

“I’ll talk to–”

“Sayyes. One night. Don’t make me beg.”

There’s a storm raging behind her eyes as she studies my face. She doesn’t fully trust me, not yet.

She’s smart.

“Begging, huh? I’d like to see that. You look real good on your knees.”

She’s got me right where she wants me, and she knows it.

“You think this is funny?”

“I think if you want tohave mefor dinner, you need to work for it.”

She brushes my cheek with her fingertips. My eyes flutter at the warmth of her skin. I’ve rarely craved the sunlight before, but lately dreams of a silent sunrise, hand in hand, have been haunting me. Of course, that fantasy quickly gives way to the reality of a quick and ashy end, but it’s nice to indulge in romanticism from time to time.

“You get on your knees and beg for me, and we might just have ourselves a deal. I’ll want that money, too, of course.”

The newfound confidence radiates off her, and I can’t help but smirk.

“Of course you will.”

“Symbiotic relationship, right?” She asks with her own wide grin.

“Oh, is that what this is?”

“Just what I thought. You don’t want to give up even a sliver of power, do you?”

“That’s not true.”

“Then prove it to me.” She flicks her head. “Drop to your knees and beg.”

With clenched muscles, I shift my body and slide down onto the floor, moving in front of her so that I’m resting between her thighs. I can hear her breath hitch in her chest as I kiss my way up each leg, showing her a sweetness that feels almost like a stranger to me.

Her fingers run through my hair, pushing it back as my lips ghost along her skin.

“No cheating, Dominic. You know the rules: I need to hear you beg,” she whispers. “Just once.”

The tension between us is suffocating, and her muscles tremble with each kiss.

“Please,” I rasp.

She smiles.

“Louder.”

My chest heaves, along with hers. Sparks rush down my spine and I ache to grab her by the throat, pin her down and show her what a fucking animal I am. The blood in her veins sounds like the ocean being kicked up in a hurricane.

My lips move higher as she spreads her legs.

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