Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
A gasp left her, but she didn’t know if it was one of outrage or arousal. “What does it matter, Joey? I want to leave because I could die if I stay in this fucking town. If you want to know why I want to leave it’s because I want to live.”
He didn’t respond, just continued to stare at her, breathing heavily, and making her arousal grow despite the knowledge that this reaction was out of place.
She clenched her teeth together, hating that his silence could have such an impact on her.
“I told you I would protect you. There isn’t anyone else on this planet that can make sure you’re safe, Marra.” He placed his hand on her cheek, lightly, intimately, and dominating her with the barest of touches, and with his words. “I won’t let anyone hurt you,” he said softly now.
Marra may have “known” him for the past year, but she didn’t really know him. But what she was most certain about was that when Joey said something he meant it. She was in this situation because she had been in the wrong place at the wrong time, but Joey had been there. If not for him her brains would be plastered across the asphalt.
“I will never be dishonest with you, but I expect the same in return, Marra.” He lowered his gaze to her mouth, and she found herself licking her lips.
“You want me to tell you that I want to leave because of my feelings for you?” she said on a whisper. “Or you want me to tell you that I hate you, that I want to leave because this life you lead has put me in this situation where I am fearing for my life?”
“You have nothing to fear, because I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
He looked angry, hard and in control at the same time.
“You act like you don’t like what I do, but look me right in the fucking eyes and tell me the temptation of darkness doesn’t arouse you. That you don’t want me.” He squeezed his fingers harder into her flesh, but just when discomfort started to take hold he slipped his hand behind her head and held onto her hair. “Try lying to me and say that knowing I can and do bad things doesn’t make your pussy so damn wet you could scream.”
Her heart raced, her mouth went dry, and she wanted to argue, but she couldn’t. What he did was wrong, and how he lived his life was bad, but she couldn’t form the words to tell him that right now.
He smirked. “Knowing that I am dangerous turns you on, Marra.” He leaned his face in closer to hers. “I bet right now you want me to fuck you despite the danger that your life may be in, don’t you?”
She shook her head, hating the fact that there was a part of him that was right. “You hurt people, kill them.” She swallowed roughly.
“I do, and I don’t apologize for that, because if I wasn’t able to take a life so easily yours would be nothing but a memory right now,” he said softly, but harshly. “People that deserve to be hurt are the ones that meet my wrath.” He moved in an inch closer until she felt like their lips were touching.
“You like hurting them, getting your revenge.”
He stared at her in the eyes, not answering right away, but also not showing any emotions. “You want me to tell you that I regret what I do? That I feel some kind of grief for the people that put my family, my business, in jeopardy?”
She felt the heat from his body, felt her chest brush along his with every inhalation she made.
“I won’t say any of that, because it would be a lie, and I won’t lie to you, Marra. I won’t ever do that, because I believe you deserve the truth.”
She swallowed, not sure how to respond.
“Now tell me what you want right now. Don’t think about what is outside of this apartment, or in Bourbon. Just feel this, feel me, and be honest with us both.”
She opened her mouth, but before she could say anything he started speaking again.
“And don’t lie to me, Marra. Never fucking lie to me.”
Her heart beat fast and loud, and she felt it in every part of her body. “I do want you, even after all of this, but I can’t let myself give in, Joey.”
God, this whole situation right now was surreal. She should be plotting her escape from Bourbon, and all this fucking drama she was right in the middle of. His nostrils flared, and a low sound left him. He was angry.
A few seconds passed where he didn’t do anything but breathe heavily, maybe trying to get himself under control.