Page 21 of Touch of Hate

His hot breath fans against my lips. It’s minty, and I involuntarily pucker my lips, waiting for the inevitable. “I want all your firsts, Scarlet, and that terrifies me. It scares me because you have no idea of the darkness inside me, yet you crave every piece of me the way I desire you.

“I want you, and I always will,” I whisper, pushing up onto my tiptoes. I need his lips on mine like I need my next breath. Fisting his shirt in my hands, I pull him closer. No, I’ve never kissed a man before, but I’m letting my body’s reaction to him guide me.

Ren’s smirk is downright devious. “See, I’m already corrupting you. My little angel, with a glow of goodness all around her.” His thumb presses down, and I part my lips for him, letting it enter my mouth. I’m apprehensive as I look up at him through my lashes and suck the tip of his thumb inside.

This is Ren. He’ll never hurt me or deceive me. I can trust him with my life, with my body. Flames of desire flicker in his eyes, a desire I don’t understand but want to taste. I don’t want him to think I’m a sheltered good girl, especially when I’m not. “I’m a Rossi; there’s darkness inside me too.” The words slip out of me, and before I realize it, I’m sucking his thumb deeper into my mouth.

“Fuck, you’re going to break my resolve, and I’m already doing everything I can to stop myself from taking what isn’t mine to take.”

“It’s not really taking if I’m giving it to you.”

He pulls his thumb from my lips, and I let out a whimper that he swallows up as his lips come to slant down on mine without warning.

His long fingers snake against the nape of my neck and weave through my strawberry-blond strands. Holding me in place, he kisses me with a vengeance, with need. It’s everything I thought it would be and nothing at all.

My scalp burns, and a sensual heat fills my core. The kiss deepens, and Ren consumes me. I run my hands along the hard planes of his body that press against my softness, mapping out every inch of him, imprinting it into my mind.

Parting my lips, I nip at him, wanting more. It’s the mistake of the century since he chooses then to break the kiss. I let out a disapproving grunt, and as he pulls away, his intoxicating scent leaving me, I notice the heaving of his chest.

I’m sure if I could see his eyes, I’d see the animal lurking beneath the surface. The man he claims will corrupt me.

He takes a step back, and my heart sinks into my stomach.

“You’re making me want things I can’t have. You’re not mine, Scarlet, yet I want to make you mine in every way.”

“Then do it,” I plead, reaching for him.

Again, he shakes his head. “No, angel. I’m not sure if it’s even possible to have you, and if it is, I can’t have you… not yet. You’re too young.”

“I’m yours. I’ll always be yours.” I’m practically panting, ready to give myself over to him. My eyes shine, moisture forming in them, and I’m not sure if I want to cry from the overpowering need to be his or from the fear of being rejected. Either way, I don’t want to cry in front of him, so I blink back the tears as best I can.

One stray tear escapes, and Ren stares at it, watching as it slides down the apple of my cheek. He doesn’t even blink or seem to be affected by it. I don’t even try to hide crying now. What’s the point?

Leaning in, he wipes the tear from my cheek, his warm fingers against my cold tearstained skin, making me shiver. “Don’t cry, angel. You’re not mine. Not yet, but you will be someday. I’ll be the man to claim all your firsts. Every year on your birthday, until I can claim you fully, I’ll claim one of your firsts. You’ll be mine, eventually.”

“You promise?” I squeak.

He nods. “I promise, angel. Your firsts are mine. Save them for me because if I find out another man touched you or took something from you, I won’t hesitate to end his life.”

Any normal girl would gasp and attempt to run. The fear of being possessed in such a way would terrify them. It was the opposite for me.

I was terrified of being anything but his.

A ragged sob escapes me, and the memory becomes smoke between my fingers. I bring a trembling finger to my lips.

I can almost feel his lips on mine if I focus on the memory hard enough. But that’s all I have left of him.

Memories.

Maybe my brother is right. How long will I look at the proof that is right in front of me and pretend it doesn’t exist?

I don’t know, but I put every last shred of hope I have in him, into praying that he will keep his promise to me so I can continue believing he didn’t want to hurt us.

6

REN

“Don’t do this, Ren,” River demands. I knew he wasn’t going to like this, but I just have to know. “What if she told her father? What if they have men waiting for you in the tunnels?”