Rapture & Ruin by Julia Sykes

Chapter 18

Max

Meet me at my place in 2 hours? I checked the text for the dozenth time, as though it would say something different.

It’d been well over two hours since she’d sent it. Allie was already home. I’d watched to make sure she got inside safely, and no one followed her—not Gavin and not any Russian scum.

I was her only stalker tonight.

My fingers flexed. That was exactly why I had no business accepting her invitation: I was her stalker, not her protector. No matter how much I’d deluded myself, no matter what she’d said, she was still afraid to be alone with me. She was afraid for me to come inside her apartment.

And why wouldn’t she be? The last time I’d been inside, I’d drugged and kidnapped her.

My phone buzzed, startling me out of my dark mood.

Another text from Allie: Are you coming?

I fired off a response: You don’t want me to come over.

Three gray dots immediately began bouncing on my screen as she hastily typed her reply: I asked you to meet me at my place. I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want you to come over.

I could practically hear that impertinent little huff to her tone as I read the text, and my lips twitched at the corners. I smothered the hint of a smile, forcing myself to remember how she’d shuddered at the prospect of having me in her home. Even on the night I’d saved her from getting hit by that car, she’d been horrified at the idea of me entering her apartment.

I sent her a stark reminder: It’s not safe for you to invite me inside. You don’t know what I’m capable of.

She replied with a challenge: Then why don’t you tell me? What would you do if you were here, Max?

Heat licked my veins. She was trying to prove a point, but her words unlocked the wicked, forbidden thoughts about her that I’d been obsessing over for weeks.

My fingers flew over the screen before I could think: I’d pin you against the wall and kiss you until you stop arguing with me. I wouldn’t be gentle. I would taste every inch of your hot little body. I would make you moan my name and beg before I finally let you come.

My breath stuck in my lungs, and I stared at what I’d typed. What I’d already sent in a burst of heated need for her. The message was marked as read, but she hadn’t replied.

Agonizing seconds passed, and nausea tinged my desire.

Then her reply came through: Prove it.

My feet were carrying me toward her door before I could formulate any second thoughts.