Page 30 of Sinful Addiction
“What the hell has gotten into you?This was your idea, remember?”My voice rises, and Vince pops his head around the corner.Great.The only way I’m getting out of this alive is if I escort her out myself.
Never has anyone challenged me like Lacey.The years between us have nothing on the invisible collar she has placed around my neck right now.I’m completely under her spell.
Dread seeps through my pores the longer I watch her fall apart.
This is the moment I realize I’m not walking away because she already has my heart.
“Damn it, Lacey, look at me.”Fear filters through me.A survival instinct I haven’t had to use since…
“Ah, fuck it.I’m getting you out of here.”I grab hold of her arm, helping her to stand.I want Vince to think this isn’t my fault, so I gently position my hand on the small of Lacey’s back and guide her the way we came in.
She doesn’t brush off my touch, curse me out or cause her normal feisty scene.She simply lets me lead her past Vince and back to the car.
“Where are you taking me?”
Her voice is hollow, lost of all emotion.She’s a shell of her former self.
“Home.I’m taking you home, Lacey.”I open the car door for her and help her into the front seat.
“Boss, would you like me to take her home?”The concern in Knox’s voice is clear as he offers to help.He’s never seen the two of us, let alone either of us on our own, like this before.There’s no fight.There’s always fight, sparks, and even though unhealthy, we have chemistry.She’s the only woman for me, and I’ll be damned if I’ll let her push me away now.
“No.I’ll take care of her.”
“But, D—”
“I don’t care about him right now.This is more important.”I snatch the keys from his outstretched hand and climb into the driver’s seat.
When I chance a glimpse in Lacey’s direction, the tear tracks shimmer with the luminous reflection.She parts her sumptuous lips to say something, then chews on her bottom lip to stop herself.
The action is all conflicting.I’m stuck between wanting to taste the sweet saltiness of her tears mixed with the droplets of blood she drew from her delicate skin and wanting to release her lip so she doesn’t hurt herself.
“My parents want me to go for dinner tomorrow night.Or is it tonight already?”She looks at the time on the dash to see it's now one in the morning.She rubs her hand over her forehead for reasons I don’t understand.
“What is it?”I try to gain her attention because something else is clearly bothering her.
“I want you to join me,” she blurts out so fast I almost misunderstand.
My body turns toward hers, unsure if it’s shock or excitement toward her request.Sure, I’ve been asked to be more than a master, a quick fuck, whatever the needy bitches can get their claws into, but never has anyone wanted me to meet their parents.
I’m utterly speechless.
Lacey mistakes my silence for more than what it is.
“Forget it.I shouldn’t have said anything.It was a stupid idea.”Now biting down on her thumb nail, I can see the hurt in her fragile eyes.Eyes that are hiding things from me.
“I will do whatever you need of me, pet.I promise.”
My chest constricts with a tightness I’ve never been subject to.It’s as if I’ve been forced into a jar and the lid doesn’t fit.
“Do you mean that?”
Amazement overshadows her saddened features.I can’t resist reaching out to caress her delicate face.As my thumb traces the mound of her cheek, Lacey’s lashes fan her face as they shutter closed.
She is a priceless heirloom.Words cannot mirror how stunning she is.
“I mean every word.”
“Thank you.”The vulnerability is dissipating as the Lacey with attitude slowly returns.“Why the sudden change?”