✍︎ 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞-𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 [dark psychopath x FBI romance] | 𝟏𝟖+

𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟣𝟪

ᴄʟᴀʏ

Sybille smacks her lips, sniffs, and rolls onto her other side. The tangled blanket slides off her, revealing the bare edge of her hip. The first rays of sun streaming through the curtains illuminate her peaceful face, but for some reason, that triumphant calmness in her features annoys me.

When I spot the bluish imprints of fingers on her exposed hips and waist, nausea rises in my throat. I swallow hard and avert my gaze, recalling last night's descent. 

Sex doesn't scare me, but the aftermath always feels ugly. At first, physical closeness brings bliss, then it sparks hope that it might happen again, and eventually, it binds you to the person.

I had one task – to resist Sybille's allure and keep a cool head for three months.

I messed up in the first month.

Clearing my throat as quietly as I can, Sybille stirs, so I straighten up from the doorway and turn on my heel. I go down to the living room, shove a few logs into the fireplace, and light the kindling. A flash of flames quickly catches onto the dry wood, just like my hope of keeping my hands clean again. 

I sink into the couch and wrap myself in a blanket.

I don't regret what happened because pitying myself would only grant Sybille's self-esteem a favor. If I start pushing her away now, I'll look like the biggest fool. 

I try to justify last night's actions as a primal instinct, a long-suppressed desire, and a wish to teach her a lesson.

I must admit to myself that it worked since the punishment matched the sin – usually, I'm not so rough.

But she liked it, a thought flashes when I glance at the falling leaves outside the window.

Did I expect the girl to resort to extreme measures to achieve her goal? Unfortunately, I hadn't considered that.