Page 126 of Wallflower

“Why?”

“Are you seriously asking me that?”

“Why would you do that for me?”

“Because I can.”

“Why go there at all?”

“Are you upset?” I question, somewhat flummoxed by the fact she wants to know why I did it, instead of being upset I murdered her family.

“Answer my question, you evasive shit.”

“I wanted to.”

“Why?”

I roll atop her as a burning erupts in my fucking chest. “Because they fucking deserved it!” I roar. “If selling you wasn’t reason enough, they earned their deaths for all they subjected you to.” I’d be lying if I said I did it just for her. I’m so horribly selfish. I enjoyed killing off every last person she cares about so all she has left is me. And I’ll do it again, if needed. Without any reason to run, and nowhere to go, she’ll stay. She’ll have no choice.

“Why are you the one who gets to decide their fate?”

“Because—”

“Tell me, Ripley.” Rose’s eyes alight, the flecks of rich whiskey within their depths igniting in the sun’s rays. “Fucking say it,” she snarls from beneath me.

I don’t know what she wants from me. It was my duty, my fucking honour, to wipe that shit from her life.

“Why go there? Why take that risk?”

“I wanted to make sure they wouldn’t try to take you from me,” I finally divulge, feeling much more vulnerable than I’d like.

“Why?” She glares so deep into the chasm within me, it threatens to swallow her whole.

A lie doesn’t have the time to form as the truth slips out, shocking me with the rightness of it rolling off my tongue. “Because you’re fucking mine.”

She runs her fingers through my hair, quelling the rapid rise and fall of my chest, breaths as heavy as the confession hanging between us. “Are you sure about that?” my flower questions coyly, a slight uptick of teasing in the cadence of her voice.

Rose’s touch distracts me, dismantles me, soothes me. And I fold like a wet paper bag.

My eyes jump between hers, more alive than I’ve ever seen them. “Yes,” I say, voice cracking.

“You sound sure.”

“I am.”

Rose pulls me close, brushing her lips against mine. “Good,” she whispers, sealing her mouth over mine in a kiss that’s long overdue. I’ve been dying to have her in my bed, watch her release soak my sheets and scent the air around us as her screams bounce off the walls.

I tug the covers over our heads, creating our own little cocoon away from the world as she draws out the kiss, savouring it—me.

My phone vibrates, and I retrieve it from my pocket. Without looking, I silence the ringer and drop it to the floor.Nothingis interrupting this.

I rock my hips against her—a wordless question. She answers by slipping her hand beneath my black, lightweight joggers. Stroking me slow and light, Rose stokes the heat between us into something all-encompassing. I thrust against her palm as my mouth trails a line of hungry kisses across her jaw. “Are you sure?” I whisper.

She hums her agreement, pushing the pants down my ass.

“I’m going to fuckingwreckyou.”

Rose whimpers this addictive fucking sound. It makes my dick throb as her touch swirls around the tip. “Please,” she pants, guiding me closer.