Page 64 of Forget Me Not

“Easy?” I snicker. “Nothing about any of this is easy. You killed Nick and now you’re blackmailing me. You knew exactly what you were doing the entire time, didn’t you?”

Moving his fingers in slow strokes over my leg, he says, “Of course I did.”

I can’t even begin to wrap my head around what’s happening. Of all the situations I’ve endured in my life, this sits next to the most terrifying. I’ve done a lot of bad things, but I always did a very good job at covering my tracks. At least, I thought I did. Alaric is probably holding all my secrets in his dark and depraved mind, ready to unleash them the second I don’t do what he asks.

“Okay,” I tell him. “You got me. Now tell me what it is you want me to do.”

A knowing smirk tugs at the corner of his lips while his fingers slide between my legs. His gaze meets mine and an unwanted heat rolls through me as he leans closer. “There is so much I want you to do, but first…” He pauses, inches away from my mouth. “Kiss me.”

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I nod in slow movements. “Fine.”

His lips press against mine, but I keep my mouth firmly closed. He moves his lips gently back and forth, trying to coax me into kissing him, but I remain unresponsive.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Alaric wants more than just a kiss. He wants to fuck me, right here and now. A hundred different options flow through my mind, ranging from murdering him to just doing what he asks. I settle with the only plausible option: I have to do this.

I’ve had sex more times than I can count with various men I don’t even know. To me, sex is not sacred, it’s an act of passion that is one-sided more times than not. At least, in my case it is. I’ve given myself up for less, so for my freedom I can do this.

I fall into the kiss, hating myself more and more with each passing second. For someone who was so desperate to stay away, I sure have fucked myself over because this is the most passionate kiss I’ve ever felt in my life.

Alaric’s mouth is surprisingly warm and soft for such a cold man. His tongue moves gently against mine and it doesn’t feel like a crazy stalker is kissing me. It feels like I’m cared for, for once.

The hairs on my arms stand tall as our mouths melt together. Every nerve in my body lights up like a firework. It’s a feeling I never anticipated when Alaric told me to kiss him.

Desire runs down my wobbly legs and straight to the pit of my stomach. I want more of it—of him.

Alaric pulls back and I already miss the way his lips feel against mine. Maybe it isn’t sex he wants, after all. Perhaps he really only wanted a kiss.

“Okay,” I tell him. “I did what you asked. Now I need you to answer some questions for me.”

Make me kiss you again. Please.Oh no, you don’t! I dig my nails into my hand to get rid of that thought.

The back of his fingers glide across my cheek. “You’re a good kisser, Rhea. Is that because of all the practice you had with random men?”

Nothing he says surprises me anymore. Therefore, I don’t react. “Yep. And kissing those strangers was far more satisfying than any kiss I’ll ever share with you.”

Okay. I reacted, but with a lie. I have no intention of making it easier for this asshole, no matter how warm and comforting his lips are. I never want him to know what that kiss did to me. It’ll only inflate his ego and lead him to believe we actually have a future together.

His lips press together in a thin white line. “We’ll see about that.'' He grabs my face with both hands and pulls my mouth to his once again, and I’m entranced. This time, it’s not soft and gentle, it’s harsh and eager. My hands move to the back of his head, holding him in place as I return the gesture.

With a strong hold on me, he forces the kiss deeper until our teeth are clanking and my heart is pounding out a brutal rhythm against his. I know he can feel it, and the thing is, I can feel his too. Alaric is damn neartrembling. His palms are sweaty against my cheeks, and his tongue quivers in my mouth. I have to force myself not to gasp at just how good he feels.

Finally, he relents. As he leans back, I lick my lips, tasting the sweetness of lemonade that rolled off his tongue.

Taking the upper hand, I jump off the bed and say, "You’re not touching me again until you answer my questions.” I can’t allow him too much leeway here. His touch is doing things to me; I need distance if I’m going to get anything out of this situation. Alaric wants me, and I want the truth.

He rolls his neck, cracking the tense bones. “Fine. For every question I answer, you give me something in return.”

I scoff. “Spoken like a true man.”

“Oh no, Rhea. I’m not like other men. I’m not using you by any means. I don’t want just one night with you. I want forever. So don’t compare me to your clients. I’m here because I love you.”

“Whatever.” I roll my eyes. “Who do you work for?”

“I work for myself. I happen to run a very successful business.”

“Okay.” I nod, satisfied with his response. “Did you know my father?”

“I knew Grayson very well. In fact, we were best friends for many years.”

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