Page 111 of Redeeming the Villain
Running my hands through my hair, I sigh, realizing we’re getting nowhere. “Malik …” His name is a plea on my tongue. “Is it about Rupert? I saw what you did to him. What, do you regret it or something?”
His brows furrow. “What? No.Fuck no, I don’t regret that. If anything, I wish I had done more to him.”
Something inside of me warms just slightly.
Closing my eyes, I sigh. “Then can we please stop playing this guessing game and you just tell me the truth?”
A war plays out behind his eyes as his stare bounces back and forth between mine. His lips part to say something, but he doesn’t.
“I can tell you’re going through something right now. And I’m here for you just as much as you are for me. But you can’t just lock me out of your mind, your heart, your room.” I flex my hands. “I need more of you, all of you.”
Silence consumes him as he listens to every word I say, leaning forward as if he was hanging on to my words for dear life.
Patting my jeans, I exhale. “I’ll give you your space, okay? Good night.”
Spinning on my heel, I walk back toward his door to leave, but before I reach it, he steps past me and shuts it with his hand while his other hand finds my waist, pinning me to the closed door.
“Wait. Please, just wait.”
Looking up at him, I do just that. I’d sit here for an eternity if he needed me to.
His eyes slam closed, and agony flashes across his face. “I’m scared to tell you anything, Alora. Fucking terrified.”
He looks at me, and I see it—the broken version he usually hides from the world.
“Because no one has ever been as close to my heart as you, and you could absolutely destroy it in a second if you wanted to. I’m scared that the more I give, the more you’ll find a reason to leave.”
Reaching up, I grab his jaw with my hand. “You think opening up to me will make me want to leave?”
Slowly, he nods.
Sliding my other hand up, I cup his face. “That will never happen.”
Disbelief flashes in his gaze before he glances away. “There’s a lot about me you don’t know, Alora. Stuff that will change your view on the world.”
Brushing my thumbs back and forth, I stand onto my toes and gently press my lips on his. “I want it all, Malik. All of you. Always. Because …” My heart launches into my throat. “Because I’m falling in love with you.”
His hand tightens on my waist. “You know you deserve better than what I can offer you.”
“Well, I don’t want anything else. I wantyou.” I inch closer to him, sliding my hand down his chest and fisting his shirt, tugging him toward me.
“What if it’s not enough?” he whispers.
“Malik,you’reenough.” I kiss him, breathing him in. “You’re everything.”
Something inside of him snaps, and he grabs my face, kissing me ferociously. Words aren’t his forte, so perhaps he wants to show me how he feels instead of telling me.
Parting my lips with his tongue, he slips it into my mouth. His touch overwhelms me—in the best of ways. He devours me, showing me just how much I mean to him.
He pulls away and looks down at me with hooded eyes. “I know you deserve more than a coward who can’t speak. But I’m way too selfish to ever let you go. So, please, just for tonight, let me get lost in you. Please, baby, I need you.”
The pain and anguish in his reddened stare dissolve any reservations I had left. Slowly, I nod, agreeing.
“Thank you,” he whimpers before crashing his lips to mine, his fervor unmatched.
Pushing his body against mine, he parts my legs with his knee, grinding and rolling against me as our mouths dance together.
His hands slide down and around my hips. I gasp as he lifts me up and wraps me around his waist, our lips never parting.
