Hating You (Blackthorn Elite 1)

“Fine,” I growl. Walking by him, I reach for the dress, but he holds it up in the air out of reach, and because I’m much shorter than him, I either have to jump like a dog and try to snatch it, or I do nothing. I chose to do nothing.

“I’ll help you put it on.”

“I can do it myself,” I argue.

“I’ll help you put it on,” Parker repeats, but his tone is much sharper this time. He’s not going to let this go, so I either do this or walk out without a dress, and that’s also not an option. With dress in hand, he turns and heads toward the fitting rooms. Like a lost puppy, I follow him, ignoring the questioning look Alice gives me when I pass her.

He walks into the dressing rooms like he owns the place, holding the door open for me to follow. As soon as I get inside, he pins me with his gaze. His eyes gleaming with excitement. I hope he isn’t thinking about having sex in here, ’cause that’s not going to happen.

“Take your clothes off,” he orders roughly. When I don’t start to move right away, he adds, “Let’s go, I’m hungry.” I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes.

Huffing, I start undressing. He’s already seen me naked and been all up in my lady parts, so what the hell. No point in trying to hide now. Stripping in the least sexy way I can think of, I let my clothes fall to the floor in a heap.

I can feel his eyes on me, blazing a path of heat over my bare flesh. When I’m down to my panties, he hands me the piece of fabric that’s trying to be a dress.

I slip into the canary red number. It’s a mini dress and barely covers my ass. Looking in the mirror, I stare at my reflection. The dress is completely backless, and the front has a flowy fabric that dips all the way down to my belly button. The little bit of fabric is held up by a thin gold chain that goes around my neck, only adding to the cheap look of this dress.

Hookers look more flattering than me right now.

My gaze meets Parker’s in the mirror. “Perfect. That’s the one.”

“I’m not wearing this. Everyone will look at me. I’m basically naked.”

“Wear it or don’t go at all,” he gives me an ultimatum. “You said I can do what I want with you. That includes dressing you as I see fit.”

His remark stings even though I know it shouldn’t. Is that all he sees me as? A doll he can do whatever he wants with?

“What about that whole I’m yours, speech. You’re telling me you’re okay if people look at what’s yours?” I know I’m walking on thin ice here, but I’m desperate. I really don’t want to wear this… like ever.

Parker’s nostrils flare, his eyes darken, and his chest puffs up. I know then that I’ve hit a nerve, but apparently not the right one. “They can look all they want, but I’m the only one who gets to touch.”

I’m losing hope with each second, so I decide to try a different tactic. “Please, Parker…” I plead, batting my eyelashes, but it seems the tiny break in my resolve does nothing to help. In fact, it only encourages the beast inside him.

In a breath, he’s got a mammoth of a hand wrapped around my throat, and my body shoved against the wall. I try and swallow, try and breathe, but nothing comes. All I feel is his body pinning mine, the hardness of his cock against my bare thigh. I’m trapped, ensnared in his dark gaze, caught in his web. And for some stupid, unknown reason, my stomach flutters, heat flushing my body, making my core throb.

Wrong, this is wrong.

Leaning into my face, he snarls, “You’re above begging and pleading, Willow. You don’t want to see me lose it. Do what I say, and maybe, just maybe you’ll get out of this unscathed.”

He lets go of my throat, and I suck in a sharp breath. I know I should be afraid. Deep down, I should be scared of what he might do to me, but a part of me, this sick and twisted part, is curious to see how far he would go.

“I’ll wear the dress, but not because you’re telling me too,” I snap, and start to tug the fabric off. “I’m wearing it because it’s my body. Clearly, it doesn’t bother you to have others see what is not yours, then maybe this dress is the perfect one, after all.”

“Don’t push me, Willow,” Parker hisses, his face millimeters from my own. I can smell the spiciness of his cologne, feel the heat from his body rolling off of him in waves, and my thoughts swirl, going to places they shouldn’t. “Remember, I still get to fuck you, and how you act will determine if that’s a pleasant or unpleasant experience. I can be the best lay of your life or the most savage of monsters.”