Page 32 of Madness

“What does that mean?”

“Curious about me, little dove.” I could see the happiness in his eyes. He liked that I wanted to know him. He continued before I could give him a sassy response. “I run our clubs, including Entice. I also gather…information.”

“Information?”

“Secrets. Anything I can use to my advantage. To control. Manipulate.”

I swallowed audibly. I believed he could find every one of my secrets. And he would have no problem using them against me. Just like he used my body’s desire. My lack of money.

Our eyes connected, and I knew he was seeing behind the door in my mind. To my secret desires that didn’t feel so secret anymore. My nipples tightened under his gaze. Thank God his shirt was black. Hopefully, he couldn’t see it. I shifted in the chair, trying to ignore my wet pussy.

“Keep eating.” His deep voice felt like a caress ghosting across my skin. But I knew it was a command.

I brought another forkful to my mouth. I watched his expression. His jaw ticked, and his hand tightened around his glass as if he was trying to control himself. But I didn’t understand why. He’d already proven he would take what he wanted from me. So why wasn’t he?

I felt the need to push him. To see if that control would snap.

I licked my lips again. Slowly. Teasing. His eyes never looked away. I swallowed another bite and moaned again. Louder.

That was my mistake. His eyes narrowed as if he realized it was all for show now. He could tell my reactions weren’t genuine anymore. I saw the flip switch. He leaned back in his chair and gave me the sadistic smile again.

“Since I answered your question, you can answer one of mine.”

Shit, I should’ve known he would do that. He didn’t give things away freely. This wasn’t a friendly conversation. This was a battle. He was trying to break me.

When I didn’t answer, he took it as an invitation to continue. “Why won’t you accept you like pain with your pleasure?”

“I-“I started to protest, but his hard gaze stopped the words in my throat.

“I know you like it.” He took the fork from my hand before pulling my chair closer to him. His arms came to the back of the chair on either side of my face as his knees bracket mine, caging me in. Again.

I was aware of his smoky scent. His powerful presence. My bare legs against the chair. My thighs clenched together to try and stop my body’s reaction.

But I could feel it. My panties were soaked, and my breath came out in short pants. I turned my head away, but Maddox brought me back with a finger under my chin.

“You were made for pain. Your creamy skin was made to be marked by me. It looked stunning red from my touch.” His lips brushed my cheek as he leaned forward to whisper in my ear. “And your screams.Cazzo.I would kill to hear you cry for me again.” His hand trailed slowly up my bare thigh making me shiver.

“I want to make you scream every day. I want to fill up all your holes with my cum. Then I’ll paint it over the bruises I’ve left on your body. Fuck, you bruise so beautifully. You’ll be a perfect mosaic. A beautiful broken toy. And you want that. You want me to use you. Hurt you like a good little slut. So why won’t you admit?”

I shook my head, fighting against his hold as his fingers dug into my chin. “Are you afraid of me? You should be. Because I will break you. Is that what’s stopping you? Fear?”

“Yes. I’m afraid.” I hung my head defeated. Even as my body hummed for him. Cried for his touch. I knew I couldn’t give in. “I’m afraid of myself.”

Maddox’s body stilled. I wasn’t even sure he was breathing. He pulled back until he could look into my eyes again. I don’t know why I told the truth. He already knew too much. Already wanted information so he could hurt me. But I was sick of lying. Sick of hiding.

“I can’t give in because I already want to die. I think about it every day. I think about slitting my wrists. Letting the blood flow from my body. I think about ending the struggle. Seeing my mother again. If I let you hurt me, I don’t think I’d ever make you stop. I’d let you kill me.”

That was what attracted me to Maddox. Danger. It was like cop-assisted suicide. I didn’t have the strength to end my own life, so I would let him do it for me. Eventually.

I wasn’t ready yet, but I knew I would be. Each morning was harder than the last. It was only a matter of time before I gave up. Why not go out by his hand? Have his beautiful face be the last thing I see.

A beautiful demon.

18

Maddox

“Ialready want to die…I’d let you kill me.”