The Starkest Truth (A Breaking Insanity Novel Book 2) (35 page)

I whimpered with each flog, jerking under the sting of the brutal force. The part of my body that needed the pain began to awaken despite my fight, and reveled in what he gave me.

“Did you like that, Nik?” he asked breathlessly. “Did it turn you on? Are you disappointed I didn’t fuck you with the bottle? Or would you rather it was my cock? Can I tell you?” He leaned forward, his lips grazing my earlobe. “If you were just a regular cunt, instead of a crazy one, this bottle would be inside your pussy right now. But if you still want it…it’s yours. Do you want it?”

I didn’t answer, resulting in him strengthening his hold on my hair until I could feel the pull in a painful way. “No,” I whimpered.

“Do you want this cock? Since, according to you, it’s only one of the two good things about me… Ask me for it, and if I can hear how desperate you are, maybe you’ll get it.”

Sobbing, I fought to keep my lips pressed together and refrained from giving him an answer.

He sucked in a slow breath and released his hold on me, leaving me disconsolate. “Fine. Keep being a bitch. I hope you enjoyed this, because it’s about as much action as you’re going to get from me until you apologize.”

I slipped up and turned just as he disappeared out of the door.
 

“In case you were curious,” he shot at me from the hall, “I’m going to get this goddamn knife out my shoulder, then I’m going to sleep somewhere you aren’t. Maybe find someone more deserving of the gift between my legs. Who knows? The night is young.”

I couldn’t move from the bed until I heard the front door to the house slam closed.
 

Sitting up, I wiped the tears from my cheeks and searched my bag for the number to the therapist Melonie recommended. I had to get rid of my crippling addiction, no matter how badly I needed him. Because even after he demeaned me, he further consumed every inch of my being by reminding me of what I thought I had forgotten. He gave me a taste of something I hadn’t been given in a long time, and my body began to pine for more.
 

While I spent most of my life floating through the world, shut down, unfeeling and uncaring, he made me feel alive again.
 

It was a problem that needed a treatment. I’d spent too much time pondering over the right strategy to find Ethan and make him stay, never clear on how I could do it.
 

I needed the clarity I lacked every moment Eric was in my immediate vicinity before I could return him into the man he really was—until I could bring back Ethan again.

V and D: Thank you for always keeping my head straight and reminding me to work three times as hard and be twice as smart.

J: Thank you for filling in the blanks when needed to make Eric's mouth a little more dirty. A bigger thank you for putting up with me when a certain psycho took over my attitude.

A very special thank you to my awesome street team, Mavens of Mischief, for their encouragement and understanding. You are all my foundation and inspire me everyday.

To Kristen S. I appreciate your kindness and you're all around awesomeness. Thank you for putting up with me and my crazy stories.

Holly: Thank you for skewering The Sect. I wouldn't have found an awesome proofer who schools me on my bad grammar. You're incredibly kind and a delight to work with. May the space be with you.

I thank you in every book and I always will. A very special thank you to Jettie Woodruff who believed in me early on and fiercely.
 

Emma and Annmarie: Thank you for giving this fragile creative the will and the motivation to go through the wire and publish a story that coincides with my vision and remove myself from the unobtainable expectations. I'm very lucky to have two people who understand my work down to its bones. You always keep your opinions genuine, raw, and real. This wouldn't have been published without your encouragement and critique. I stand firmly and proudly in my vision because you both believed. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Last, but not least, thank you! Thank you for the messages, recommending my books to others, taking the time to leave reviews and your constant support. I am forever grateful.