Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
I blinked. “Let’s go as in... let’s both go? Together?”
“That’s right.” Legend grabbed our stuff and made for the door. I didn’t move.
“Are you luring me away somewhere to kill me?”
His grin did not reassure me. “Why would I do that? You’re not worried a little thing like holding me hostage in my own bed and turning my boyfriend against me would set me off?”
I am now, I thought, spine stiffening as that grin widened.
“You coming or not?”
“I’m coming.” I approached him slowly, eyes narrowing as he swept open the door and gestured for me to go ahead. “Bye, Arsenio. I love you.”
“Last words, de Souza?” Amusement laced Arsenio’s reply. “I’ll put them on your tombstone. Make sure the world always knows you’re mine.”
That was his asshole version of saying he loved me too, so I accepted it and let Legend close the door behind us. We set off in silence.
Bare trees led our way—stripped by winter’s chill. The dark events that happened in this town—that have followed it since its creation—should’ve cast a pall that clung to every stone, twig, and branch. But the fact remained that Bedlam... was beautiful.
Our town didn’t get cold enough for snow, winter coats, or dreamy nights curled up by the fire while the sky hid the grass until spring, but we did get couples walking the lane sharing warm cups of cocoa and a scarf around them both. We had fairy lights in the trees, leaves crinkling beneath our feet, and an excuse to cuddle up by that fire whether we needed it or not.
I drifted closer to Legend, indulging his warmth. I couldn’t help but be close to him. Why else would I tie the guy to the bed just to sleep with him again?
“Aren’t you going to say something?” I spoke up. “I assumed that’s why you’re walking me to class. To tell me exactly what you think about holding you hostage and turning Roan against you— Which I didn’t do, by the way. I told him what I did to get Jacques’s attention and he told me to do the same to you. It was all his idea.”
“Why do you think he can’t sit down right now instead of you?” Legend grasped my waist and pulled me in, doing point-blank what I was aching to do. “But no, I’ve got nothing to say. You’re going to do the talking now.”
I stopped in the middle of resting my head on his shoulder. “What does that mean?”
“Roan claims that you’re not a different person. Everything that really matters about you and us hasn’t changed.”
“It hasn’t.”
“He also says,” Legend plowed on, “that if I don’t make up with you, he’ll turn off the tap and deny me sex.”
My brows blew up my head. That was news to me.
“I’m not sure if he’s capable of such restraint, but I won’t find out.”
Pressure swelled in my chest. “Does this mean...?” Slowly I cupped his cheek, turning his jaw. I placed the lightest kiss on the corner of his mouth. “We’re back together?”
“Course not.”
The pressure burst like a balloon.
“You didn’t think it’d be that easy, did you?” He snorted, setting my teeth on edge. “No, what it means is I did all the work the first time. Tamed my little pet. Made her obedient and semi-sweet. Fashioned her into the perfect slice of bread for our sandwich. If you want back with me, it’s your turn. Seduce me. Convince me. Make me want you so badly, I’ll do the impossible and forgive everything that’s happened.”
His speech sunk into my swirling mind. “Seduce you like you did me? Are we calling chasing me through the woods and paddling SLUT on my ass seduction?”
“Seeing as it got you wetter than a Slip N’ Slide, yes. Don’t pretend like we haven’t given you exactly what you wanted. There’s no lock on the front door, de Souza. You could’ve left whenever.”
My boots click-clacked on the path, the echo to my heartbeat. “No, I couldn’t. You guys would’ve chased me to the ends of the earth. This is who we are. We don’t let go of what we own. What we love. I can show you how much I want you, Legend, but would you really give me a fair chance? Are you open to getting back together, or is all this just to make sure Roan doesn’t turn off the tap?”
He shrugged. “You know me. What do you think?”
I think it’s the latter one hundred and ten percent, but that changes nothing. If Legend truly wanted to be done with me, he shouldn’t have opened the door the tiniest crack. Seducing him will be my absolute pleasure, and greatest accomplishment.
He walked beside me—expressionless but still so achingly handsome, it hurt. Wind chill teased his skin, teasing dots of color along his cheekbones. Cold chapped his lips, and I immediately pulled my lip balm out of my bag, drawing it on for him. Our gaze locked over my fingers.