Page 35 of Kept

My hands raise as if to move it, but Enzo grips them, pushing them over my head as he follows, his weight pressing down against my chest, my hips, his legs tangling with mine as the tool pushes into me.

He’s everywhere, wrapped around me, and I can’t stop the groan that falls from my lips as I tilt my head back. Maybe I shouldn’t feel like this, shouldn’t like the weight of him on top of me, but I do.

Maybe I’m broken.

But I want more.

He stares down into my face. The mask is flickering, confusion and something darker hiding behind it. “There is another option.”

His hands slide up to my neck, curling around it and pressing gently as he leans down, his mouth touching mine. I open for him, my lips trembling as they part. But he doesn’t move, doesn’t do anything, doesn’t touch me like I suddenly, desperately want him to.

“You respond to touch like a flower to the light,” he murmurs against me. “Who are you?”

I swallow around the light grip on my neck. “Zella.”

But he shakes his head firmly. “No, you’re not.”

“I…,” My eyebrows draw together. “That’s my name.”

But he only smirks, his lip tilting upwards in a way that turns him from handsome to devastating. “Little prey suits you better.”

Before I can respond, his lips press against mine, warm and firm as his hands weave into my hair. My whimper is lost to him, and he growls against my mouth as he presses every inch of him against me like a brand.

Tears fill my eyes as he holds me for him, kissing and sucking my lips until I feel swollen and heavy, my eyes lazy as he lifts his face from mine.

“The options,” he says roughly, and I swear I can see a spark of light in his eyes, a single, solitary star against the soulless dark night.

But there’s a crash, and his weight disappears from on top of me as I cry out in shock.

Scrambling upright and fighting off the lingering dizziness, I stare down at where Enzo is sprawled across the floor. There’s a sound, and I realize he’s laughing up at the man who stands over him with fists clenched.

“Thefuckare you doing, Enzo?” The man roars, and I flinch back at the unfamiliar shout.

Enzo is still laughing, but the man looks really angry, and I throw myself off the table, staggering slightly before I push in front of him. “Leave him alone!”

Enzo’s laugh cuts off abruptly behind me as I stare down the very large man.

I swallow as he stares right back at me, his own eyes widening.

God. Is everyone on the outside this attractive?

There’s a choked sound from the side of me, and Ryder laughs as he slides into view, wiggling his hand at me in a wave. “Not everyone, princess. We’re just lucky fuckers.”

He sounds amused, and the blood rushes to my face as I realize I said that out loud.

Crossing my arms, I frown at the handsome, tall man. “Stop shouting at him. He wasn’t doing anything.”

He just stares at me. Dark hair with the faintest thread of gray curls around a strong, olive face, light blue eyes crinkled at the corners. “Did he hurt you?”

I shake my head, my eyes sliding to the tool that clattered to the floor when I jumped up. I quickly look back to him in case he spots it too. “Nope.”

Enzo sucks in a breath behind me, and Ryder lets out a breathless laugh. “See, Mav? All fine.”

Mav – who I’m guessing is the man staring at me like he’s never seen a girl before – turns to glare at him before his eyes return to mine. He scans my face with a frown.

“Have we met?” he says abruptly. Startled, I shake my head.

“Ah… no. That would be unlikely.”

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