Page 29 of Ruthless Game

Not since that night, anyway.

The thought that he only wanted me was terrifying and exhilarating. Because it was the same for me, although I’d never tell him that.

“That’s where you come in. See, I think I haven’t gotten over you because we never fucked. I never got to experience the inside of that tight little cunt, and my brain and cock have hyperfixated on you. You’re my own personal demon, Emma Schwartz, and it’s time to exorcise you, no matter what it takes.”

I wanted to run. To scream. To shove him so hard, he somehow flew backward into the gorge. How could he make me feel so good by saying he’d never gotten over me, and in the same speech, make me feel so horrible by diminishing me to nothing more than sex? I thought the worst I’d ever felt was the night he called me a whore and hooked up with other girls just to spite me, but that awful scene might lose out to this one.

“So what? You need to fuck me and your whole life will get better?” I shook my head violently, damp hair flying everywhere. “That’s absurd, Lawson. That’s childish. Blaming everything that’s wrong with your life on not just me, but on the fact that we never slept together? Way to take accountability for your own actions.”

“Me, take accountability? When you—” he cut himself off. “No, I’m not going to dwell on the past. It’s about the future now. And your future is this: you’re going to be a good girl and let me fuck you, and you’re going to like it. Then and only then will your brother be safe to continue with his fucked up extracurricular activities.”

I didn’t point out that Lawson’s intended extracurriculars were worse than Jeffrey’s.

“Besides,” he added, “You’ve already proven that sex means nothing to you. Why does it matter if you fuck me?”

I opened my mouth to argue, but shut it fast at the look in his eyes. Lawson had already threatened to blow open Jeffrey’s life if I denied cheating on him, and I couldn’t risk it. Besides, he wouldn’t believe me. I knew that much by now. No matter what I said, the fake video of me being fucked by that other hockey player was too solid of “evidence.”

“It matters because I don’t like to fuck people I feel sorry for,” I said instead, wanting my words to sting. “But if that’s what it’s going to take to get you to go away and leave my family alone, then let’s get it over and done with now.”

He shook his head at me, his fists clenched. “You can try to be mean, Angel, but I promise I’m meaner. No, I’m not going to let you get out of this so easily. You deserve worse than that. I’m going to drag this out, touch you whenever and wherever I want, make you touch me however I want, until you’re desperate for me like you were on the plane, not knowing when it’s coming until you go as insane as I’ve been.” Moving closer to me, he pressed his thumb under my chin, forcing my head back so I had to stare in the depths of the dark blue of his eyes. “Finally, when you’re least expecting it but I feel like I’ve finally taken what I deserve, I’ll force you to take my cock. And if you think I’ll ever let you come …” he tsked. “No, that naughty, cheating pussy will only hurt with needing me. You think you hate me now? You have no idea what hate even feels like yet. But I’ll teach you.”

I wanted to sob, to scream. None of this should be happening. Jeffrey should be playing fairly. And I should be in England, studying and going out with my friends, not dealing with any of this.

Denial will get you nowhere, I reminded myself.

“Lawson, please …” I began.

“There we go,” he murmured. “That’s the word I’ve been waiting for. Get comfortable, you’re going to be saying it a lot.”

Rain poured over me, soaking my skin, getting in my eyes. I welcomed it, because it masked my tears. I had no options, no alternatives. I couldn’t lose my brother. He wouldn’t just lose his spot on Tabb’s team or get expelled; my parents would kick him out and forbid me from speaking to him. They hated drugs of any kind.

So I’d have to swallow my pride, and—I choked on the thought.

“You know, I always used to imagine the man you’d be one day. Strong, kind, full of conviction.”

Lawson watched me, not saying anything.

“You aren’t that man. You’re someone no one would want to know.”

His hands fisted, then relaxed. Fisted, then relaxed. A tendon popped on his neck.

“I may not be that man, but I am the man who’s about to have his mouth on your pussy for the first time, so I’m not too worried about it.” He slapped the rock behind him, the sound echoing around us, sending birds fleeing from the trees. “Take your clothes off and climb up.”

And closing my eyes to hide my tears, so I didn’t have to look at him, I began to peel my clothes off, that rock looming in front of me like an altar for a virgin sacrifice.

Because despite what he believed, I was a virgin.

10

Lawson

I’d never seen Emma naked. I thought I was prepared. I’d always loved her body, the way her skin glowed, the way curve glided to curve, from tits to belly to ass to thighs. But that had been a girl’s body. This …

This.

Emma had grown into her body. Small curves had become lush ones. Before, I could’ve cupped one tit with one hand, now I’d have to use both to position them for my mouth, teeth, tongue. Her belly was softer now, hips wider, thighs thicker, pussy full, lips peeking out behind blonde, glistening curls.

She was turned on.