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“I love you guys,” I whisper.
“We love you too.” They squeeze me in another long hug, and after more quiet tears, I reluctantly usher them out the door, staring at them until Judge’s presence behind me makes me shiver.
“You did well.” He strokes my hair over my shoulder, his tone approving.
I pull away from him and turn around, crossing my arms as I glare at him.
“We’re together, Judge? Really? Why would you tell them that?”
His silent response only irritates me further, and I think that’s all I can expect from him, but then he surprises me.
“I don’t like the way he looks at you.”
“Oh, my God, you are such a fucking hypocrite.” I laugh caustically. “As if you didn’t tell me you’re out every night with another woman. Do I need to remind you I don’t belong to you? That isn’t my purpose for being here. You don’t fucking own me.”
“Yes, I do,” he growls.
Unbelievable. Seriously, un-fucking-believable. I turn to leave, and he grabs me by the wrist, dragging me back to him until my chest collides with his, and he tightens his hold on me, locking me in his arms.
“For now.” He breathes the words as if he regrets them. “You belong to me.”
“For now,” I choke on my reply. “I belong to nobody. Least of all you.”
He lowers his face to mine, trying to ensnare me in a kiss, and I jerk away, only for him to grab my jaw. He holds me in place, his lips hovering over mine, the heat between us an inferno I can’t understand.
“I’ve been inside you.” His words heat my lips as he palms my ass with his other hand. “Only me.”
“Well, I hope you enjoyed it.” I smile up at him callously. “Because it was the first and the last time.”
“I enjoyed it very much.” The words sound like a confession, and it confuses me. “I think you did too.”
He presses his thigh between my legs, nudging them apart, and I try to shake my head in protest. “No.”
“Yes.” His fingers skate down to the hem of my dress, and then against my bare thigh. “Even now, you enjoy it.”
I hate that he’s right. I hate that my heart is beating erratically and my stomach is fluttering, and I’m secretly wishing for more all while hating myself for it. But I made a promise, and I intend to keep it.
“I don’t want sloppy seconds.” I press my hands against his chest and shove hard, surprising him as he stumbles back slightly.
It gives me the time I need to put much-needed distance between us as I dart toward the stairs, running back to the safety of my room. But Judge isn’t far behind. I can hear the clip of his shoes on the floor before his voice caresses my back.
“Mercedes.”
I ignore him as I fling myself through the doorframe, nearly tripping on my heels in the process as I attempt to slam the door in his face. He catches it with his palm, stopping the weight easily before he shoves it back open.
“I fucking hate you,” I snarl at him.
“So you’ve said.” A soft smile curves his lips. “I’m glad to see you’re feeling more like yourself.”
He stalks toward me, and I move back, the predator and the prey.
“You can’t have me,” I tell him. “Stop trying.”
“I do have you.” He seizes me by the waist and holds me in an unyielding grasp, his words humming against my neck as he inhales me. “You just don’t know it yet.”
A feeble protest leaves my lips as he kisses me, rough and possessive. He’s not handling me delicately anymore. And as much as I know I should stop this, I don’t. Not even a little bit.
I moan as his tongue invades my mouth, and he drinks my shallow breaths like they own him. I want to believe it’s true, even for a second.
