“What… what are you going to do?” Her voice wobbles, the words pitching and sinking with fear.
A corner of my lips curls up. “Now, why would I tell you that?”
She turns away, and I study the way she stares straight ahead, beyond the pool and into her own mind, likely imagining all the ways I could hurt her.
A shot of excitement leaks down through my chest as I circle behind her and press into her back. She sucks in a sharp breath, feeling my cock resting against the swell of her ass. She’s solid stone as I lean down and brush my mouth across her ear.
“That’s what makes it so fun,” I murmur, lingering for a beat so I can memorize the way her lip trembles.
“Are you going to try to fuck me?” she spits.
“No, bella ladra. I’ll never fuck you again, not even when you beg me to.”
She scoffs, her upper lip curling with disgust. “I would never.”
Reaching around her, I grab her jaw and force her head to the side, her glassy blue eyes catching hold of mine.
Not good enough. I want those tears spilling over.
I squeeze tighter, and utter bliss releases in my bloodstream when a tear wiggles lose.
Now, that’s a sight that can make any man come undone.
I lean closer, my lips a mere inch from hers.
“You’re already so close, bugiarda. All I would need to do is kiss these pretty lips, and the words would be slipping off your tongue before you could stop it.” Releasing her jaw, I grab her hand and force it between her thighs. “Feel,” I order.
“No,” she bites out, anger boiling in her glare.
“I wasn’t asking,” I snarl, my voice dropping lower with warning. “Feel for yourself, or I will.”
Swallowing, she tucks her fingers into the side of her shorts for half a second and then quickly slips them out. She resists as I grab her hand and raise it high for both of us to see, the evidence of her arousal reflecting the luminosity from above on her fingertips, turning them bright aqua.
“Look at that. You can glow, too.”
Then, I step away, saying nothing else as I make my way out of the cave and toward the lighthouse. She’ll stay behind, embarrassed and ashamed, and won’t dare show her face for a while.
Plenty of time to make myself come to the image of that tear falling past her eyes.
Chapter 14
Sawyer
I fucking hate him.
I’m still seething by the time I step back into the lighthouse.
Closing the door behind me, I begin to charge toward the staircase, and pray to God that Enzo isn’t in there. It would be a form of justice if he slipped and hit his head on a rock.
Natural selection, bitch.
I'm stopped in my tracks when a booming voice pipes up to my right, causing me to jump, a high-pitched yelp slipping free.
“My, my, you look mighty angry. ’Magine you’d give that storm that took ya’ll out a run for its money.”
Shut up, you crinkly dinosaur.
Forcing a smile to my face, I say, “I’m fine. Just didn't catch any fish today.”
He waves a hand in dismissal. “You’ll have your days, sweetie. Come sit, I’ll make ya feel better.”
An uneasy feeling washes over me as he pats the cushion on the couch beside him, giving me a crooked grin. His teeth are beginning to blacken—something I hadn’t really noticed until now.
He’s been asking me to sit next to him a lot these past few days. It’s weird, but I’ve continuously brushed it off, considering Enzo hasn’t seemed to think anything of it.
You’re looking for something that isn’t there.
Right. He’s just being friendly.
All men want you for one thing, pipsqueak. I'm the only one who actually loves you.
Tightening my lips into a strained smile, I sit down, coercing my stiff muscles into relaxing. Not that it’s working.
His rough, calloused hand lands on my shoulder, sending a riptide of goosebumps across my body. He squeezes it playfully and chuckles. “Yer so tensed up! Fish got you that much in a tizzy?”
I shrug, hoping to dislodge his hand, but it’s unsuccessful. I’ve never been good at confrontation. Throwing up the peace sign and moonwalking out of the vicinity is my go-to response.
But before I can do anything, Enzo is walking into the living room, his eyes immediately finding mine. Instantly, Sylvester’s hand tightens on my shoulder, and while my confrontation skills are lacking, my intuition skills are not.
It feels like he’s trying to claim me.
Enzo’s gaze sharpens as it zeroes in on where Sylvester is touching me.