Page 62 of The Hallows Queen

“Come home with me,” he says, taking a tiny step toward me.

I shake my head, taking the same sized step backwards. “No. I can’t.Wecan’t.”

He presses his eyes closed and sighs, his head dropping back a little. “You’re starting to piss me off.”

I choke on a laugh, but when he looks at me again, he isn’t smiling. He looks like he’s in so much pain that I almost reach out for him. He’s not used to not getting what he wants, he’s not used tono.

I shake my head, scoffing. “Go home, Hayden.”

His nostrils flare as he pushes another breath through his nose, and his teeth press into his top lip as he opens his eyes to look at me again.

“Meet me tonight.” Mischief and malice twinkle in his gaze, his lips curving into a grin. “We can play pretend I’m not me and you’re not you. We can be whoever we want to be outside of here.”

I shake my head, heat spreading over my neck as I start to grow angry at his persistence. “When morning comes, we’ll still be us. Maybe you’re too stubborn and spoiled to understand that.”

He laughs, his words slipping from his lips in a husky and humored whisper.“Stubborn and spoiled?”

Before I can spit the retort on my tongue, he speaks again.

“I don’t mind a chase, Penelope.” He rubs his tattooed hands together at his center, his eyes glittering with pleasure. “In fact, I’ll quite enjoy it.”

A shiver runs down my spine as I inspect his face. He’s lost all traces of anger within his features. Instead, it’s been replaced with curiosity and amusement, like I’ve just presented him with the most challenging game he’s probably ever played.

And from where I’m standing, it doesn’t seem like Hayden Monroe loses any of the games he plays.

Chapter17

Hayden

Her pretty facehas lost most of the color that was gracing her cheeks. She looks almost frightened by the energy I’m radiating toward her – she knows what she’s done. I’m not a man who doesn’t get his way, she knows that, and every word dripping from her delicious, swollen lips makes this even more desirable. She’s making her bed, but I’ll be the one warming her fucking sheets at the end of the night.

And that isn’t me being a cocky prick, knowing she’ll give in and let me. It’s afact.

She can’t resist what’s brewed between us, just as much as I can’t.

It’s unavoidable.We’reunavoidable.

I blink my eyes slowly and lick my lips as I finally step to the side to give her access to her car door, telling her I’ll let her pass by and leave. When she doesn’t immediately move, I wave my hand toward the door and press my lips together in a little smile before I speak. “You’re free to go.”

Her eyes narrow, as if she’s trying to decide if my word is going to be the thing that makes her leave.

Fucking spitfire.

When a few heartbeats have passed between us in silence, I chuckle. “You’ve been begging me to let you leave, and when I finally do, you’re just going to stand there staring at me?”

Penelope grits her teeth, and I fucking love it. I love the frustrated look on her face and the flush running up her neck. I want to grab her and trail my tongue over her skin to feel how hot she is from desire and anger – confusion and confliction.

She groans, adjusting the bag on her shoulder before she breezes past me and pulls her door open, then she slips into the driver’s seat and cranks the engine.

Before she can slam her door closed, I put myself between it and lower my head inside the car. She groans, slamming her hands on her steering wheel before turning her head to me, putting her face only a few inches from mine. “What?!”

I chuckle at her tone, making her huff. “Goodnight, Penelope.”

Her gaze moves to my mouth for a moment so quick, I almost miss it, and when her eyes find mine, my chest fills with need again. I kiss her quickly, dropping my hand from the roof inside the car to grab her face, my fingers cupping her jaw.

She hesitates, but doesn’t pull away.

Instead, she opens her mouth for me, her tongue sliding against my bottom lip before slipping inside my mouth. I squeeze her face with my hand, wanting to rip her apart and consume her entirely, but letting her control our connection so I know it’s real.

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