Page 50 of A Devious Arrangement
I brush my lips over hers, my heartbeat slowing as I listen to her steady breaths. “No one has ever captured me the way you have. I think I’m in love with you. Are you going to take responsibility for what you’ve done to me?”
Chapter 25
Anastasia
I squeezemy eyes shut against sunlight trying to invade my sleep. My arms and legs feel heavy like they’ve been filled with sand, holding me in place.
I’m groggy, sleep still clinging onto me as I roll over. It’s like attempting to wake the dead.
My mouth is dry, and I swallow to soothe my sore throat.
I groan when I wipe my face, and it comes back wet. I was so deep asleep that I was drooling like this.
What the hell happened last night?
With that thought, memories come flowing in.
The soft scrape of his beard, his taste. He devoured my mouth, and the way he commanded my every move. He filled me like I was made for him.
Heat fills my cheeks, remembering how he ripped my orgasms out of me like he was a master and I was helpless to follow him.
That’s the last thing I remember. Holy crap. Did I pass out? Is that even a thing?
There’s a fluttering in my chest, one that makes me feel lighter than air. I just want to lie here forever and let myself feel this. Ignore reality for just a few more minutes.
I peel my eyes open, expecting to see a sleeping Bash, but the other side of the bed is empty.
The sheets cool under my palm.
The wings fall off the butterflies, and there’s a queasiness in my stomach.
I stare at the empty spot beside me.What were you expecting? This is for the best.
I ignore the tightening in my chest and push myself into a seated position, keeping the sheet tight over my bare breast.
A groan escapes my lips as my muscles protest my movement.
Damn, what did he do to me?
I am surprised by the understated simplicity of Bash’s bedroom. My eyes are drawn to the warm earth tones, making the space both masculine and inviting. I wasn’t in any state to check it out last night.
A sheer blind is lowered over the window, filtering in soft, natural light without sacrificing privacy. The only furniture is a standing mirror tucked into the corner, two end tables, and a king dresser pushed against the wall.
I ignore my body’s protest and drag myself out of bed. I don’t let go of the sheet covering me as I look for the clothes I was wearing yesterday. Which are clearly missing.
Bash’s T-shirt is on the floor near the mirror. I go toward it, but the fabric pulls taut, keeping me several feet away. Sighing, I let it drop and grab the shirt off the ground. Before I can pull it over my head, I spot my reflection. My hand flies up, grazing the marks on my neck. There are similar purple bruises on my breast, and my nipples are swollen from his touch. It’s the handprints on my thighs that have me sucking in a breath.
I have his marks all over me, as if he was claiming me as his own.
The ones on my neck are too high to easily cover with a shirt.
I want to hate them. I trace the marks one by one, leaving a tingling heat under my skin, and swallow hard.
I’m in way over my head.
I need to get out of here before I manage to make a fool of myself. I yank on Bash’s shirt, and it engulfs me. It’s long enough it could be worn as a dress.
I inhale deeply before letting it out. I’ll just go to my room…I’m still not sure how I feel about that…
