Page 130 of Sweetheart: Part One

Was that even what I wanted?

It took every goddamned ounce of power to let her go with those wide, desperate eyes begging me for more.

Every instinct drove me forward, whispering that the thrill would be twofold, watching her expression as I made her come apart beneath me.

Mechanically, I drew away, straightening. Her viciousness did at least bring me a semblance of satisfaction as I finally released her. She grabbed my wrist, her lips drawn back in a snarl.

And it didn’t change a damn thing.

I leaned close, my words a breath in her ear. “Next time, Sweetheart, behave, andmaybeI’ll let you come.”

* * *

Vex looked beautifully shell shocked as we exited the building. Once more, she shrunk against me as we passed through the crowds of paparazzi. My mask was back up, the familiar flashing and clamour of reporters all around, but all I could focus on was the warmth of the woman beneath my arm. The need in her eyes.

For me…

It wasn’t until we were back in the limo that I truly returned to myself.

Why had I believed any of that was a good idea?

I’d thought hearing her beg for me would make me feel more in control. But if I were to try and describe how I felt right now,incontrol would not be it.

For me, thrill was something I sought in each silent, dull day. Yet, Vex had just given me that with ease, and strangely, it felt like it would never get old. I thought I could reach for her over and over, and I would be met with that thrill every time.

And in that, there was a danger, because that gave her power the likes of which no one else in my life had ever had.

I had to figure it out.

A question from earlier slid back into my mind.

Who panicked and then climbed into a closet?

Again. That went beyond normal behaviour for a beta.

My eyes slid to where she was sitting in the limo, hugging herself. Even now, the resentful look in her glittering eyes set me on edge, something tugging at me to fix it—to fix whatever was making her upset.

Now I was paying attention to it, I recognised it completely from every interaction I’d had on set, in passing, in interviews…

No.

Vex wasnotat all normal for a beta. But everything—everything—my pack’s response to her, her odd behaviour, the way she could worm into my brain, it all made complete sense if Vex wasn’t a beta at all.

But if that was true…

I’d need proof. But then her Sweetheart contract would go up in flames, and there was nothing Love could do about it.

I was going to prove that Vex was an omega.

THIRTY-FOUR

VEX

I screamed into my pillow.

I’d attempted to hurry to my room the moment Ebony and I had stepped into the house, but he hadn’t let me get away that easily. His fingers had laced tightly in mine as he led me up the stairs to the main living room. I’d tried to tug away from him, but he pulled me back, taking my chin in his hands.

“Behave next time,” he’d growled. “And maybenext timeyou beg, I’ll let you come.”

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