The Maiden (The Cloister Trilogy 1)

“I can’t go slow with you. Not this time. Can you come like this?” He grabs my ass and lifts me, pinning me to the door. It increases the friction on my clit, and sends him even deeper.

I gasp.

“Or like this?” He takes one thumb and presses it between us, rubbing my clit as he pistons into me.

I dig my nails into his shoulders as the pressure between my legs ratchets up. “I’m going to—” I can’t finish the sentence. I hold my breath, and then see stars.

My hips lock and I’m falling. He pounds me harder, the door creaking under the strain, and then slides so deep it hurts. His low grunts mix with my moans as he empties himself inside me. I float along on the rolling waves, drowning in ecstasy as he pumps a few more times, then rests his forehead against the door beside me.

“Fuck.”

I would agree, but words don’t come. I’m sore and deliciously sated.

He bounces his forehead against the wood. “We shouldn’t have done that.”

His regret stings me enough to pull me from the clouds. I try to put my feet on the ground, but he doesn’t allow it. His cock pulses inside me, still filling me with unexpected bliss. He indulges it and thrusts one more time, sending a sweet, sizzling ache through me.

“If you tell anyone, I’ll kill you.” He holds one hand in front of me, the knuckles still bruised. “I’ll use these hands to do it. And I’ll look you in the eye until your light goes dark.”

I believe every word.

“I guess you’ll have to trust me now,” I whisper.

He strokes down my cheek, then rests his hand possessively around my neck while his dark eyes capture mine. “Once I do, I’ll never let you go.”

Chapter 30

Adam

I sleep in the next day, trying to make up for all the lost time. For the first time in years, I’m able to slumber through the night, no dreams, no sweats.

But when I open my eyes to Noah looming over my bed, his face serious, I realize the torment was waiting for me to wake up.

“What?” I rub my eyes.

“Dad wants to see you.”

I glance at the window. “It’s the crack of fucking dawn.”

“Get up.” He throws the blanket off me.

“Fuck!” I sit up and swing my legs off the bed. “What’s going on?”

“He suspects you broke the rule yesterday.” He crosses his arms over his stomach and paces the length of my room. “Did you?”

“Did I fuck a Maiden?” I shake my head and look at him confused.

He relaxes just a hair. “I knew you wouldn’t do that. I don’t know why Dad suspects you all of a sudden.”

And the Oscar goes to … Adam Monroe.

I stand. “Come on, let’s go up to the house and put this fire out.” Walking into my closet, I pull on some fresh clothes. I don’t bother glancing at the mirror; I already know I look like shit. Noah leads the way out into the second floor hallway. I pass the door on the left that hasn’t been opened in four years. I don’t look at it, but the truth of it is always there, like a dagger in my back that I can’t reach.

We stride into the cold air, our breath puffing out in dreary clouds.

“Any idea what prompted this brand new dose of paranoia?”

“Nope. But he’s summoned the rest of the Protectors.”

Fuck. I keep up a long stride, rushing to meet my fate. If Delilah talked, then it would be over for both of us. But if it’s just whispers from a Spinner or something circumstantial, I can talk my way out of this.

The house is warm and scented with cinnamon as we walk in. Mom is waiting by the back door.

“What are you doing here?” I scan the area and Noah closes the door quickly and flips the lock.

“He’s on a tear. Coke all night long. Girls from the Chapel.”

“What did he do?” I push the dark hair away from her forehead. A patch of gauze covers about an inch of skin. Murderous rage erupts inside me like a geyser.

“He’s done worse.” She glances around. “I just wanted to warn you. He says he’s got video of you breaking his law. But I watched through a crack Castro left in the door. It’s nothing.” Her cheeks heat. “I mean, it’s something, but it doesn’t—”

“Mom, footsteps.” Noah grabs her elbow and pushes her down behind the basement bar.

“The Prophet is waiting.” Castro hits the bottom step from the main level, grinning and motioning for us to get on with it.

Mom stays put. If he saw us talking to her, there would be even more hell to pay. I haven’t been that close to her in years, not one-on-one, anyway. An old, familiar ache cuts through my chest, but I ignore it and follow Castro to my father’s office.