I rubbed Damien’s chest. “You’re all ready.”
He smiled. Damien’s white teeth gleamed across his face, the scar he got on top of his lip from when he fell off one of our horses still there. He was four at the time, and now he was fourteen. About to make love to someone who didn’t deserve it, all because his father said so. Because it was his coming of age. Because the younger he found someone, the longer they had to reproduce. The thought had my stomach churning with disgust, but I kept my smile on my face for my son.
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too, Damien. Now—go ahead.”
He smiled at me again and then left our hut. It was much larger than our old one—and my husband always made a note to remind me of that. Of how I owed him for getting me out of poverty, as he would say.
Damien escaped through the curtain. “I love you so very much.” I could feel him slipping through my fingertips already, and no matter how hard I tried to grasp onto anything I could at keeping him near me, I couldn’t. It was out of my hands.
Humphrey was succeeding in manipulating the most powerful men of our time. He had other men—leaders, but not in charge like him—who stood behind him. All had money, all earned power and respect, and together? They were untouchable. Nothing went through their intelligence. No one dared disrespect or cross them. They were feared amongst our people—amongst other people. We had money now. We didn’t know suffering, but I’d rather have no money and a family at peace, than him with all his riches.
I wasn’t prepared for what I was about to discover today—amongst Damien’s initiation. My worst fear. The worst possible thing that could ever happen, happened.
I fell pregnant.
My phone beeping with a text pulls me out of my story. “Fuck.” Frustrated at how it interrupted me just as I’m getting to something juicy, I close the book. I slip it back into my bag, deciding it’s probably a good idea to turn it in for the night, considering. Flicking off the bedside lamp, I snuggle into the blanket and unlock my phone to a text from Tatum.
Tatum – Are you okay?
Me – I’m fine. How are you?
Tatum – Bored. Why couldn’t I come?
Me – ‘Cause you weren’t banging Nate while it happened.
Tatum – No way!
Me – Yes way.
Tatum – Tell me more, and where are you?
Me – No! Ew. And I can’t tell you, sorry.
Tatum – Well you’re no fun.
Me – I won’t argue with that.
Tatum – Can I ask you a question?
Me – Always.
Tatum – Do you think you’re falling in love with Bishop?
What? I read over her message again, my eyebrows drawing together. Why would she want to know that? Bishop and I are not even in a solid enough relationship to start talking about love—that, I am sure of. Before I can reply to her spastic message, my bedroom door swings open and Bishop walks in.
“Oh,” he mutters. “You’re awake.”
“Disappointed?” I ask, locking my phone, thus shutting out any light. The bed dips on his side, and I hear his shoes drop to the ground and a shirt fall before a belt buckle clangs, and then the bed sinks again.
“Why would I be disappointed?” he grumbles, his voice right near my ear and sending vibrations through my bloodstream. I close my eyes and count to ten. I must contain myself with this man or he will ruin me. His hand wraps around my left cheek. “Madison.”
“I’m confused,” I blurt urgently. He pauses, his hand moving. Must be the dark that has my confidence shining rather brightly. No doubt I’ll get my ass burned. “I’m confused, because one minute you hate me, and then the next you’re touching me. I’m confused about this whole”—I flick my fingers through the air, even though I’m well aware he can’t see me—“thing.”
“I don’t hate you.” He breaks through. My heart swells in my chest at his words.
“What?”
He brings one leg between mine and sinks on top of me, his elbows resting on either side of my head. Running the tip of his nose down the bridge of mine, his lips gently stroke over mine. “I. Don’t. Hate. You,” he whisper-yells each word, laying little kisses on my lips, and then suddenly his tongue slips out and drags over my bottom lip. “I just really need you to spread those legs for me and let me get lost in you for a few hours.” The cushion of his thumb caresses little circles over the side of my jugular.
“Okay,” I whisper through my parched throat.
He chuckles, his hips grinding into me so his erection presses against my leg. “That wasn’t a question, baby. Now, open up.” Then his head disappears under the blanket, and I’m getting a taste of ecstasy-spiked heaven.
WHEN I OPEN MY EYES, the first thing I notice is how numb my thighs and legs are, and then the next thing I notice is the bright sun glaring into our room through the... open fucking blinds!
“No!” I moan, covering my eyes with my arm. “Shut them.”
“Get up, baby. Come have breakfast.”
“I don’t wanna.”
Bishop grabs my arm gently and tugs it down, away from my face. “Come on.”
I peek my eyes open when I notice he’s blocking the sun with his massive body. And he’s clutching a loose white towel around his waist with droplets of water cascading down the ripple of his V before dipping under his—
“Madi!” he snaps.
“Hmm?”
