Cruel King (Royal Elite 0)

After last night, I thought she was too sore to move.

But apparently, I thought fucking wrong.

I shouldn’t have unbound her. Better yet, I should’ve tied her to me when I gathered her in my arms.

I never slept with a girl after sex.

I never slept with anyone. Full stop.

Since I lost Dad, I’ve had insomnia. That’s why I started drinking — aside from pissing Uncle off. When I’m hammered, I manage a few hours of sleep. But I had to take it down a notch when I focused on football.

Most nights, I’d stare at the ceiling or wear myself out in the gym.

Last night was different. Last night, I had a petite thing sleeping in my arms like a baby.

I might have spent the entire night watching her. Sue me.

Every line of her face and curve of her body is engraved in my memories. As I watched her, lots of dark thoughts barged through my mind, but most of all, it was unstoppable waves of possessiveness.

She only belongs to me now and no one will be able to take her away.

Ever.

I might not know how the fuck Astrid fits in the big picture, but I know that she’s mine. I know that I’ll feed off everything she offers like the parasite she paints me as.

I don’t bother with a shirt as I snag my car keys and fly down the stairs.

It’s fucking pouring outside. The rain falls so hard that the distance becomes foggy and the vision blurry.

Right in front of the house, Astrid stands in the middle of the rain.

Eyes closed, her head is tipped back allowing the rain to soak her face. Both her arms are wide open on either side of her like she’s an angel about to fly.

I freeze, watching her do exactly what I showed her last time I brought her here.

Her dress sticks to her skin and rivulets form a path from her wet hair to her neck.

I drop the car keys on the porch and stride towards her. The rain beats down on me, soaking me in a second.

She doesn’t feel me when I’m right behind her, watching the hickeys I left all over her neck and nape. The angry red marks against her pale skin elicit a primal reaction in me.

I licked her so she’s mine.

My arms wrap around her waist from behind and I bury my head in her wet neck.

She inhales a stuttering breath as her hand comes around my connected hands whether to push me away or keep me there, I don’t know.

“What are you doing out here?” I ask near her ear, drawing a shudder from her.

“I was leaving.”

My jaw clenches. “Why?”

“Because…” She trails off but doesn’t look at me. “It was a mistake, wasn’t it?”

“Says who?” I growl at her ear.

“Says me.” She tips her head back to stare at me. “I don’t know what the hell you want from me and it’s driving me crazy.”