Slash Me Savagely (The Blackwater Reaper Hockey #1)

9. Gemma

Chapter 9

Gemma

I leaned against the cold wall, trying to catch my breath. Matthew would deal with Rob. I shivered, but not from the chill. I believed him. He would kill Rob if he had to.

I closed my eyes, trying to wrap my head around the intensity that radiated from Matthew. It was like a furnace, hot and consuming, but I couldn't understand it. Did he care for me? Or was I just a prize to be won, a possession to be protected? Maybe it didn't matter. Maybe I didn't want it to matter.

My body ached, a delicious soreness that spread from my hips to my toes. The things he had done to me...

I squeezed my eyes tighter, but that only intensified the memories.

His hands, rough and demanding, leaving trails of fire on my skin. His breath, hot and ragged, against my ear. His voice, deep and commanding, whispering words that made me blush even in the darkness of my closed eyelids.

I bit my lip, trying to suppress the heat that pooled in my belly. But it was no use. I could feel the wetness between my thighs, my body betraying me, craving him. I wanted him again. I wanted him to touch me, to take me, to make me his.

I opened my eyes, my breath coming in short gasps. My room was empty, the silence deafening. But I could still feel him, his presence lingering like a shadow. I hugged myself, my fingers digging into my arms. What was happening to me? Why did I want this so badly? Why did I want him ?

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. But it was no use. I was already falling, already drowning in the intensity that was Matthew Sokolov. And I wasn't sure I wanted to be saved.

I pulled on my jeans, the denim rough against my sensitive skin. My hands trembled as I buttoned my shirt, the fabric brushing against the marks Matthew had left on me. I sat down at my desk, my thesis staring back at me, the words blurring into an incomprehensible mess. I rubbed my eyes, trying to focus, but my mind was a whirlwind, my body still humming with the echoes of Matthew's touch.

The sound of the front door opening jolted me from my thoughts. I turned to see Rob standing in the doorway, his eyes scanning the room, his gaze landing on me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice steadier than I felt.

"I got home early," he said, his eyes narrowing as he stepped closer. "What happened, Gemma? Why..." He sniffed. "Why does it smell like sex? Why are you covered in hickeys?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I could feel the color draining from my face, my heart pounding in my chest.

"I... I didn't mean..." I started, my eyes blurring with tears. "It just... I didn't want this."

"Have you cheated on me?" he demanded, his voice rising. He stalked up to me, his hand wrapping around my neck. "You fucking whore. Tell me why I shouldn't fucking kill you right now."

"Rob, I didn't mean..." I choked out, tears spilling down my cheeks. "I didn't have a choice."

He dropped his hand, his voice almost desperate. "Then why? Why, Gemma?"

"I didn't have a choice," I repeated, my voice barely a whisper.

He stepped back, his face contorting with anger and pain. "Liar," he spat. "You're a fucking liar."

Rob's face twisted into a snarl, his hands clenching into fists. He scanned the room, his eyes landing on the first target—a vase, a gift from my grandmother. He smashed it against the wall, the shattering of ceramic echoing through the room.

I jumped up, my heart pounding. "Rob, stop!" I reached for his arm, but he shook me off, his rage a tangible force.

He stormed into the kitchen, sweeping his arm across the counter. Dishes crashed to the floor, glass and pottery exploding into shards. I followed, my bare feet crunching on the debris. "Please, Rob. Calm down."

He whirled on me, his eyes wild. "Calm down? You want me to calm down?" He grabbed the nearest object, my laptop, and hurled it across the room. It hit the wall with a sickening crunch, the screen splintering.

My thesis. My work. My future. Gone in an instant.

A scream tore from my throat, raw and primal. I lunged at him, my fists pummeling his chest. "You bastard! That was my thesis!"

He grabbed my wrists, his grip bruising. "You cheated on me, Gemma. You fucked someone else in our bed." His voice was a low growl, his breath hot on my face.

I wrenched one hand free and slapped him, the sound sharp in the sudden silence. His head snapped to the side, a red welt blooming on his cheek.

He turned back to me, his eyes cold. Before I could react, his hand whipped out, backhanding me across the face. Pain exploded in my cheek, my vision swimming with stars. I stumbled back, my hand pressed to my face, the taste of blood in my mouth.

The room spun, Rob's figure blurring. I blinked, trying to clear my vision, trying to understand what had just happened. The world tilted, and I felt myself falling, the darkness rushing up to meet me.