Page 54 of Uncrowned

“Stop.”

He grabbed his shirt, pulling it over his head, only to switch hands on my neck and remove the long sleeve. His nude body had me shaking my head, and I didn’t stand a chance as he jerked and broke the strap on the soaked hospital gown, slinging it off. The next was my panties. I screamed, trying my best to keep them on, but they ripped through his jerks.

“Don’t do this. V, please. Vaughn.”

He moaned, letting the hand on my neck slide to the back as he drew my body into his.

“I want to kiss you. Take my mask off, Penelope.”

I froze, feeling temptation twist with a yearning I couldn’t even process. The voice. The months of wanting him—and now to see him finally after all of this? The danger and atrocious acts melted from my mind as if they were nothing. As if they didn’t exist in the moment at all.

“W-What?”

“You wanted truth. No mask—no lies. Take it off.”

Curiosity fought against a million flaring emotions as I stared up. Before I could think, desperation had me grabbing the bottom of the mask and pulling it up and off. Blood was smeared under his nose and on his chin. The powerful jaw, the thin nose and hazel eyes. I remembered them. They were more green than brown… My eyes rose to the black, slightly curly hair. My breath got caught in my throat and a sound left me.

“The red dress.”

“I was right about it. It was stunning on you.”

He licked his lips, pulling me in until my breasts were pressed into the bottom of his chest.

“… I…”

“I told you I was ugly.”

The shock wouldn’t allow me to speak. The room was spinning with corpses and consequences. His identity shouldn’t have mattered. His looks shouldn’t have swayed morality. But they did.

“Say something, Penelope.”

“…I don’t know what to say.”

“Then, don’t speak.” He lowered, pressing his lips gently into mine. My body immediately softened, only for me to stiffen and flatten my hands on his shoulders. The pressure I added had his head drawing back. Still, I couldn’t stop staring into his face. He was everything I’d always dreamed of when I was trapped with my parents. A secret rescuer. A savior. He wasn’t just attractive, he was beautiful. It was in a rugged, dangerous way, and I knew I was in trouble. Already, I could feel my mind trying to justify and accept what my life was meant to become.

Slaves? Murder? Death?

For him?

“One kiss. Just one.”

I soaked in his features, his eyes… his lips.

“All I want is you, Penelope. I can’t fucking think—live—Jesus. I can’t—Kiss me.”

Fingers dug into my hip. He was lowering again, leading me at the same time. My stare shot up to his, and a decision wouldn’t come. Only action. Our lips connected, and past and future waged their own war, stealing me as I melted into his tightening hold.

Vaughn’s tongue plunged into my mouth, and I was suddenly wrapping my arms around his neck, pulling him in so hard, my arms locked into place. He lifted me, spinning me for the wall as I wrapped my legs around him. Sounds were pouring from both of us. I couldn’t begin to decipher the change taking over me. A part of myself took the forefront, and I felt myself split in two. One part of me was tugging at Vaughn’s hair, moving against his body as if she was running out of time. The other part knew it wasn’t me. Somewhere deep down, it was obvious. It was… him. I was mirroring his frantic energy.

“I know how this looks. I know how bad it is, but I swear, I’ll make it worth it.” His tongue pushed back in to duel with mine, and he sucked against the tip. “I’ll keep you safe. No one will hurt you. And I can make you happy. I know I can.”

He dove for my neck, sucking against the sensitive skin. My entire body was a tuning fork of need. Pressure pushed against my entrance, and I welcomed the foreign sensation. The urgency for something I couldn’t even put into words had me pushing down. But stinging registered on my wrists, bringing my eyes open. The damage was a stark reminder. Somehow, I managed to get control as clarity forced its way through.

“Wait. Wait, please.”

Vaughn made a sound, nodding. He turned off the shower, grabbing towels. He put me down, wrapping one around his waist as he patted me down. He was back to examining my wounds. He wouldn’t stop assessing me as he led me to the table. Where I should have been trying to cover myself, I couldn’t. I was too busy looking at him—studying him. I couldn’t stop all the questions bombarding me over right and wrong.

The moment didn’t seem real.