HALEY JENNER

Because refusing you anything makes me physically sick.”

I fucking promise. I promise to listen to you. Although I can’t promise that I’ll be happy about it. But I need to know that I have you. That for the rest of my life I have you here, with me, loving me. Loving me like no one has ever loved before. Tell me, Bronwyn. Because if I don’t… if I don’t have you, I’m going to–”

I finally reach up and put my mouth on him, kissing his words away so I can give him some of mine.

“I will.”

And so fucking lovable that I kiss him again.

He’s too numb to kiss me back but it’s okay. I’m content to lick his parted lips, suck on them, tangle my tongue with his, all on my own.

Until he wakes up.

With a growl.

That sounds and tastes so sweet.

As sweet as his thick, almost slurred words. “You will.”

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I nod. “Uh-huh.”

He still isn’t over his shock as he prods, “I have you.”

“I’m not a possession.”

He lifts a shoulder. “What is a wife if not the property of her husband?”

I move to yank my hand away, but he holds it steady in his grasp.

“Equals,” I spit.

He laughs, a bitter and resentful sound that flushes my cheeks with embarrassment. “Trust me, Bianca. You don’t want to be my equal. That would mean dancing

I didn’t kiss you, dolcezza, because I wasn’t certain I’d be able to stop.”

No.”

“No?” I ask dumbly.

“No,” he says again.

“But...”

“I don’t fuck scared little girls.”

I recoil like he’s slapped me, the fire of lust in my stomach flushed out with the tsunami of his rejection.

I feel ripped in two. My heart claimed only to be discarded on the floor like yesterday’s trash. I was ready to give him everything. My body would have been his and only his, whether he knew that or not

His words play over in my mind. He wanted me until we kissed, then he made certain to cut me down and shame me for my inexperience.

I don’t fuck scared little girls.

I’m so humiliated, and I hate him for making me feel that way. Moreover, I hate myself for giving him the power to do so.

“Bianca.” Vincent steps closer. “You don’t need to worry, baby.” He eases the frown on my forehead with a gentle push of his thumb. “I told you. I’ll protect you.”

“I’m fine,” I lie,

For the people I love, I’m exactly who you describe.”

“For the people you love,” he echoes, tasting the insult on his tongue. “Maybe my hope is that one day you’ll love me.”

“Would you love me back?” I ask after taking a steadying breath, pleased my voice doesn’t shake.

He doesn’t speak for a long time. Long enough that I resign myself to the fact he’s chosen to ignore me. But then he speaks, and my heart feels something for him I never imagined it would. Pity.

“I don’t think the darkness within my heart would ever allow space for love, dolcezza. Monsters are more afraid of the light than angels are of the dark.”