EPILOGUE
The dark wood of Ronan’s house is quite familiar now. It doesn’t seize me with boredom or longing like it did at first. Being used to my parents pastel house, this was a huge change.
Ronan has shown how much he loves me. Leaving me flowers when I wake up, cooking me breakfast every morning, and loving me deeper each day.
I don’t think we’ve passed the honeymoon stage yet and with his calmness I don’t think we ever will.
If I'm upset, he makes me tea and buys me a book.
He built me a library in one of the spare rooms when I was upset about not having anything to do here.
The promise he made in Hallows Inn wasn’t broken. I was accepted into West Campbell University and have slowly been doing classes online and in person.
“I’ve got the fire going outside if you’d like to join. It’s not too cold but fall is definitely on its way. Bring your book, nerd.” I lift my eyes from my book to his voice.
My eyes skim over his body like it's the first time I see him as always. He’s shirtless but has a puff jacket covering his arms, tan abs and tattoos peeking through the material.
Black pants sit low on his waist and a happy trail leads down into his jeans.
I purr and a low chuckle leaves his lips. I’ll never get enough of this sexy man.
“I’ll be out there in just a second.” I say as I place my bookmark in between the pages.
“Bring your book.” He says and walks back outside to the roaring fire.
I grab a small throw blanket, my book, and tea and follow behind him.
He leans over the logs, pushing and stacking them.
The fire grows and heat grazes my skin. His eyes never leave the soaring flames as I walk past him and to a chair.
I situate myself in the seat and open my book back to where I left off.
“You read too much.” He murmurs and comes to stand behind me.
His hands trail down my shoulder, soft but with great pressure. His thick fingers rubbing circles into my tense shoulders. I naturally relax in his hold, letting him massage me.
“And you stalk too much.” I mumble, lost in the fairytale between my hands.
He lowers his face beside mine, reading the words on the paper and his breath hot against my cheek. I shiver and try to focus on the characters in front of me.
“I wouldn’t say stalking. Stalking implies distance, unknown, yet I’m right here.” He whispers, his lips touch my ear lobe in a soft kiss.
His hands inch lower, slipping dangerously below my tank top. His thumb slides against my hard nipple and a tremor wracks through me.
“You’re insufferable.” I close my book, straightening my spine and his hands leave my shirt.
I can hear the crunch of the leaves under his feet as he creates distance between us. I turn to him, my eyebrows raised, and he lifts his hands in surrender. My eyes follow his every movement as he makes his way around my chair.
“Not that insufferable. You’re here at my house, sitting beside my fire, letting me touch you.” He tsks, standing right in front of me now. Close enough I can reach out and touch him but not close enough to feel the heat of his skin.
“Whatever.” I say and stand up, chest puffing out like I’ve got the brain to actually outwit him. “You’re not as scary as you think you are.”
His eyebrows lift and a smile, crueler than sin lifts his features.
“No?” He taunts and steps forward. I stumble back, but my ankle hits the chair and I go stiff.
“No.” I state with little pride.
His hand shoots out before I can blink and wraps around my throat with a brutal grip. My hands clutch his, my mind spiking with adrenaline and need.
“Run then, Little Devil.” He swiftly nods toward the stalking, dark trees behind him.
I blink, confused and croak out. “What?”
“Run.” He mumbles and leans closer to me, his shadow swallowing me whole.
I stare at the endless trees, the fire not lighting up the dense forest. What the hell has gotten into him? I don’t want to go in there. No.
“You’ve lost it.” I scoff.
His eyes gleam and his fingers flex around my neck, enough to send a threat through me.
“Maybe.” He mutters. His free hand trailing down my tank top to the exposed skin above my shorts. “But wouldn’t it be thrilling, my little devil? Running blindly for a hiding spot, and knowing a monster like me is coming after you. No matter how stubborn or clever you are, I’ll find you.”
My heart begins pounding in my ears, a beat that is rhythmic and threatening. My hands drop from his with a slight shake and my eyes roam his. I can see the sincerity but most of all the sadistic intrigue of if I’ll fall into his game.
“I’m not playing your sick little games, Ronan.” The waver in my voice betrays the words I’m saying. I can’t help but be intrigued as well, the thought of being his prey excites me.
“Don’t play. Run for real.” His lips brush my temple and goosebumps litter my skin at his tone.
He pushes me forward and the fire pops. I jump and my eyes snap to him. His hand trails from my neck to my wrist, his hand swallowing it whole like he could snap or kiss it, whichever he pleases.
“Go” He says, low and commanding. My eyes flicker to the woods, their branches looming. “I’ll give you ten seconds.”
I look back at him one last time before my feet carry me over to the treeline. My eyes search through the darkness as if I’ll be able to see.
“Run, Little Devil.” He growls and I sprint off.
With each step the fire’s light disappears and diminishes into nothing. Branches claw at my exposed skin and the slight chill makes goosebumps litter my skin. I stumble a few times over roots or branches, but don’t slow. His voice echoes in my head.
Ten seconds.
Has ten seconds already gone by? I’m fucking doomed. I can’t see shit in front of me and each step makes dread stir in my mind. Why did I agree to this psychos game?
My lungs begin to burn and a snap of a twig has me twisting and turning, expecting him to be right behind me. I’m too lazy for this, my stamina is nonexistent.
“Ready or not, Little Devil.” He yells into the woods.
I shriek and glance over my shoulder. I can’t make out anything in this abyss of black. I feel around me, jagged bark scratches at my palms and I lean down until I'm covered by the tree completely.
My breathing is loud and I try my best to calm it as I sit on the cold ground. I hear the faint sound of his footsteps. They're not loud and frantic like mine. They’re slow and calculated.
He’s messing with my mind.
The night air bites at my skin, but I stay still, quiet. Tremors wrack through me and a stray tear slides down my cheek. I don’t know if I'm crying because I’m scared or if it's the adrenaline coursing through my veins.
“Left or right?” He hums, his voice much closer to me. I can feel the excitement pouring out of him.
I don’t hear his steps anymore and release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I shift and wrap my arms around my torso, staring down at the crushed leaves below me.
A shadow eases over me from behind and I freeze. I stay still like I hadn’t seen it and continue to watch as it lingers there. My heart beat begins to pick up again and a low whimper leaves my throat.
“Found you, Little Devil.” He pounces on me before I can move. Dragging me up by my arm until I’m pressed against the bark. He leans in, his body pressing into mine.
“Impossible.” I whisper, my eyes finding his piercing grey ones with surprise.
My breathing is still heavy and has my chest heaving into his, but he breathes like he hadn't just been running.
“Definitely not impossible. You’re running on my land. A land I’ve memorized like the back of my hand. It is my home after all.” His voice is rough with victory.
I squirm but his grip on my arm only tightens, crushing and bruising the skin.
“Now time for my reward.” His free hand pushes into my shorts, past my underwear.
His finger dips between my folds and my body shudders with how cold his hands are.
“Fuck.” I hiss and arch into the tree.
A low chuckle leaves his lips as he pushes a finger in.
My walls clamp down at the cold intrusion and a low moan leaves my lips.
I grip his side to hold myself up and my legs spread naturally.
His thumb circles my clit with great attention as he thrust in me, his finger moving in and out with speed.
“Break for me, Little Devil. Show me how badly you want it.” He taunts as he leans in to devour my lips.
His piercing pushes against my tongue as we fight for dominance but as always he wins as he flicks my g-spot. My head falls back on the tree and my eyes close.
“Ronan, more please.” I whisper between a moan. My legs shake below me and I use my other hand to grip the tree.
“Hold on, baby, just a little longer.” He muses and lets go of my arm.
He uses his free hand to pull my shirt off. His eyes flick between each hard nipple, before staying on the right one. He leans down and takes the flesh into his mouth, lapping and biting at skin as if he were starved. My walls spasm around his fingers and my eyes roll back.
“Not yet.” He growls and pulls his fingers out. I whimper in distress as he helps me step out of my shorts.
“Why?” I moan.
“I want to feel your walls around my cock as you orgasm, Little Devil.” My pussy clenches at his words, wanting so much more.
I can feel myself drowning with need, my walls clamping around nothing but air.
He turns me around, my face toward the tree and spreads my legs.
“You’re dripping for me.” He muses and rubs his cock against my wet folds. “My pretty little slut.”
He slams into me with so much brutality I slam into the tree. My breasts burn in pain as the bark digs into the delicate flesh but I moan. The pain turning into a beautiful harmony of pleasure. A low groan leaves his lips as I clamp around him.
“So fucking perfect.” He breathes out and grabs my hair in his hand. He yanks my head back and white spots dance across my eyes at his hold.
My back arches allowing him to sink deeper as he begins to thrust. His pace is slow but deep and each glide of his piercing against my walls makes me tremble.
“No matter how far you run, I’ll catch you.” He mumbles. “My love will trap you until you’re my ruined, perfect little devil. I love you viciously.”