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“We will start a family,” he growls, taking a slow, stalking step towards me.

“How would we do that when I’m your secret?” I take half a step back.

“Wait for me to get back, we can go from there.” I press my palms to his chest, my fingers lightly clutching at his material as I sniff.

“Waiting for you isn’t an option anymore.” His Adam's apple works in a swallow; he watches me for a beat.

Besides, he won’t ever want you in that way.

He will never hold your hand in the street.

He will never kiss you on stage.

You’re nothing but his secret whore.

He keeps you around to satisfy his sadistic tastes.

“Why didn’t you tell me about your mom? That’s why you asked me to marry you, right? Because she died?”

My stomach turns hot, saliva filling my mouth as I turn nauseous from the memory of what I found, and what I did after.

“I did it…” Cain tilts his head to the other side, still giving me space. “When I was changing her, it was clear that someone was having sex with her…” My nose wrinkles, Cain’s eyes widen a fraction, his nostrils flare. “So, I pulled the plug… She was gone a long time ago.”

“Why didn’t you come to me?”

“I’m not allowed in the forge unless I’m invited…”

Cain’s brow furrows, and he steps forward, taking my hand in his. “She wouldn’t want this for you.” He lifts my chin with his thumb and forefinger, locking his gaze with mine. “Come with me, Violet.”

“That’s not one of my options…” Cain brushes his lips over mine, and I shiver. Goosebumps erupting down my spine. He seals his lips to mine, and a shock goes straight through my heart.

A shock of life, or lightning to strike me down.

Either way, I’ll take it so long as it’s from Cain.

He runs his nose along my jaw, the shell of my ear, down my neck. I wrap my arms around his neck, running my fingers through his hair.

“How do you plan on explaining this to another man, hmm?” Cain brushes his teeth along my bite mark, then he wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me into him as he kisses the spot.

“I hadn’t thought about that…” A whimper escapes me as he moves to my collarbone, my neck, my chest. Cain fists my hair, pulling my head back to give him better access.

“Maybe I should give you a few more… Mark you all over so everyone knows not to touch you while I’m gone.” Cain nips at my neck, “You could handle it.”

“I won’t let you,” I say, lowering my hands, my fingers tracing down his chest, dancing at the hem of his shirt. The tips tingle, my brain, body, and heart at war. My mind is holding myself back with chains while my body and heart beg to touch him.

Cain chuckles, his rare smile grazing my neck. Then he bites down, hard. Gnawing the skin between his teeth. I wince, stifling my cries until they are mere whimpers. He lets go, standing tall, but still holding me in place with his grip on my hair. His lips are painted with my blood.

“Are you forgetting who you belong to, Violet?” He presses his lips to mine, his tongue barging past my lips, my teeth, swirling it around with mine, making me taste his depravity. With his fingers in my hair and a hand gripping my waist, he walks me backwards to the cot.

“No, I-” He smiles, his eyes lighting up as he lowers me down onto the cot. Cain follows me, hovering over me, caging me against the bed.

“We will never be over, Violet.” Cain fists my nightdress, tugging the material up until he can slip his hand beneath it. His long fingers wrap around my thigh, pulling my hips into his. “Come with me,” he says, lowering himself to press his lips to mine. He rocks his hips, rubbing his cock against me with a grunt.

His kiss, the pain of his bite. The ownership he has over me. My entire being comes to life at his hand, my core throbs when he thrusts himself against me again. I’m a mess for him.

“For not wanting anyone to know about me, you’re not being very careful.” The fluttering in my stomach is becoming agony. This isn’t some dream. We aren’t upstairs in his bedroom. He said no, and that’s not changing.

“I’m always careful.” He nudges my jaw, then kisses my neck. Brushing his lips over my skin, over his marks. Tender... “I trust you, my good girl.”