“I’m just saying.” I shrug and grab a fry.
I’m going to convince him to let go of his grudge, even if it’s the last thing I do.
And if I fail, then let it be the last thing I do.
“You have until the count of three to tell me or so help me God…”
I jump up from his lap and dart in the direction of the house. Adrenaline pumps in my veins at the thought of playing a cat and mouse game.
“Catch me first.”
Creighton’s eyes fill with unhinged animalistic power. The type of power that made me fall for him in the first place.
That’smyCreighton.
The only Creighton that should be allowed to reign.
The other one who’s bent on destroying us both is an asshole and I need to figure out a way to defeat him.
“Sure you want to play a hunting game, little purple? I always win.”
“And I never lose.”
Despite my confident tone, the moment he strides in my direction with that dark expression, thrilling fear courses through my veins.
I squeal, then turn around and run.
37
ANNIKA
My spine jerks upright at the sound of each of his strides.
They're slow, and measured, but they catch up to me in no time.
I’m not even one step inside the living room when I’m jerked off the floor, by my waist.
Hot breaths tickle my ear when he whispers, “You’re fucked, little purple.”
Red lava courses through my body and I fight with everything in me. I wiggle, trying to escape his steel arms.
While simultaneously wanting to fall into them.
“The more you push me, the harder I punish you.” He throws me against the sofa. “Strip.”
My breathing shatters and fogs against the leather of the sofa, but I stare at him over my shoulder. At his larger-than-life physique, at the ruthless virility behind it.
He’s the man of my dreams and there will never be a day where I’m not attracted to him.
He lifts his T-shirt over his head, and I take in the veiny hands with long fingers and soak in the view of his rippled muscles and godlike physique.
A tinge of pain flashes through me at the sight of his bullet wound, a wound I gave him that neither of us will forget for the rest of our lives.
Me, because hurting him was worse than hurting myself.
Him, because the wound will remind him of how much he wants vengeance.
“If I have to repeat myself another time, things won’t end well for you.”