CHAPTER HUNDRED EIGHTEEN

Enya pov

Her words make sense, so do her intentions, but deep down, I'm hurt beyond repair.

All my life, I've been nothing more than a puppet in someone's hands, and it was foolish of me to think that would stop. It wouldn't. Sooner or later, someone would find a way to use me as they pleased. The same as my newfound mother did.

She can tell me she had only good intentions, but I heard what she said. I heard her claim that she wanted to hear those screams. To me, it sounds more like she desired revenge more than anything else. Maybe we'll get closer and learn to understand each other after a while, but I need time to get there.

"Vince, can you please walk me to the bedroom? I need some alone time," I don't look at my mother as I speak.

Vincent quickly walks up to me and takes me in his arms. He doesn't ask any unnecessary questions or tries to say anything to make the situation better. He just carries me up the stairs, and I'm sure he has no idea how grateful I am to him for that. A moment ago, I felt like I was going to collapse in front of Vince and Melinda. "You need to shower, love," Vince whispers as we approach the bedroom.

If it were up to me, I'd ignore the blood, slip under the covers, and sleep until the end of my days. But he's right, and for once, I should listen to him.

Vincent opens the bedroom door and carries me to the sofa. I remember my first days in this house and the nights I spent on that uncomfortable piece of furniture. So many times, I thought about how much better it'd be if I had never met Vincent, but he became my blessing. I couldn't go through all of this without him by my side. Besides, who knows if I'd ever find out the truth if it weren't for my mate.

My gaze follows the huge man, and I wonder how I haven't noticed so many things about Vincent. The laugh lines around his eyes, how pointy his nose is, and how he's started to grow a beard. Now that I'm actually paying attention to my mate, I notice that he hasn't had a trim for a while, and his dark hair reaches almost to his shoulders. The haircut looks good on him.

Vince walks into the closet, and I focus on his back- I can see the muscles flexing even under his shirt, perfect contours. A wave of heat runs through my body as I lick my lips. Why didn't I notice how fine of a specimen he is?

Vince steps out of the corset with clothes in his hand, his nostrils flaring. I don't move an inch; I just stare at the fine man in front of me, wondering how I got so lucky to be with him. Yet, a sharper intake of breath brings me back to reality. "Do you smell that?"

I can't utter a word, and as soon as his gaze locks on me, another wave of heat shoots through my body. "Hell Flame," Vincent growls.

As confused as I am, I remember the first time I felt something like this. "Shit," I hiss under my breath.

"You are in heat, baby," Vince announces as he takes a step closer to me. "Again," he adds, taking another step. I gulp. "But this time, I'm not leaving you." By the time the words leave his lips, Vince is already at the door, locking it.

With my knees shaking, I get up from the sofa and try to walk toward him when another wave hits me, but this time it's just as painful as the one I remember. I stop and whimper in pain. Before I can register anything, I'm in Vincent's arms, and he's carrying me to the bathroom.

In a flash, he turns on the shower and peels off the layers of my clothes. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice that he doesn't put any of it in the laundry basket- he's throwing it all in the trash. I don't have enough time to protest as my body is forced under a stream of ice-cold water. Although it hits my skin like razor blades, the feeling is fantastic.

I let out a breath of relief right when a pair of strong arms wrap around my waist and pull me against my muscular chest. His lips leave soft kisses on my neck until he reaches my ear and whispers, "I'll be with you the whole way. I'll hold you and do everything you ask of me. Don't think I'll ever use your heat as an excuse to force you to be intimate with me. Our first time was pretty rough, so I understand if you're not ready for more." I can't get over how gentle and understanding this man can be. The thought that I ever considered him an enemy is sickening.

I turn and wrap my arms around his neck. A slight smile spreads across Vincent's lips as soon as our eyes meet. "I'm pretty sure I'm ready for round two. And three. And four. And..." My speech is interrupted as his lips collide with mine.

I pull Vince under the ice-cold water, but he shows no reaction. His hands slide down my body until they reach my ass. Vince slaps it, and a surprised gasp escapes my lips at the stinging sensation. He takes the opportunity to force his tongue into my mouth as his hand yet again collides with my ass. I can't explain what's happening to me, but the more it burns, the more aroused I get.

My back hits the tiled wall. Vince's hands slowly slide down to my thighs, and he grips them to lift me. I wrap my legs around his hips as Vince reaches for my ass again. I expect another slap, but this time, his hand sneaks between my legs. His lips leave mine and trace kisses down my neck until he reaches the spot where he left his mark. As soon as Vincent's lips near the mark, something overtakes me, and I tilt my head in excitement. Vince runs his tongue over the mark, and a loud, needy moan escapes my lips seconds before he slides his finger inside me.

My eyes almost roll back into their sockets as he growls, "You're so wet, baby, so fucking wet."

I'm pretty sure that has to be part of the whole act. I've heard some women talk about dirty talk during sex, and while I have no idea how it works, I'm more than willing to give it a try.

"God, how can you be that damn tight?" Vince groans out of the question, but I sense the delight behind his words.

Wherever this wave of confidence comes from, I wish it would occur more often because I don't think as the following words escape me, "Then stretch me." I sound like I'm challenging him, but Vince's smile against my skin is nothing more than proof that he's up for a challenge.

Vincent adds another finger, and I almost cry out in pleasure. My nails dig into his skin as I move my hips to push his fingers deeper inside me. I need the feeling; I need the same feeling he gave me the first time we had sex.

"Impatient little thing," Vincent chuckles as he pulls his fingers out and brings them to his lips. He stares straight into my eyes as his tongue laps his fingers, licking up every bit of my juices. He's teasing me; he has to be.

Annoyed and extremely aroused, I press my head against the tiles, look up, and whine, "Then fuck me already." I have no idea who the woman is that's talking now, I've never been this self-confident and straightforward before, but I like this new part of me. For once, I speak my mind as it is.

I expect a response or a question from Vince since I've never acted like this before, but he remains silent.

I let my gaze drift back to Vince's face, and I'm sure that's exactly what he's been waiting for. As soon as our eyes meet, he grins and thrusts his member into me. A loud, long moan leaves my lips as his gaze settles on me. Vince moves his hips slowly, pulling back and thrusting his erection back into me more gently than ever. I raise an eyebrow in question, but he quickly shakes his head as if there will never be an answer.

I try to move my hips to meet his hips, but he shakes his head again. As soon as I open my lips to say something, Vince silences me with a kiss. Although I love how gentle and careful he is, something seems off. For some reason, he's holding back, and I'm not sure if I like it. Plus, the heat waves appear with new force, and even though we're having sex, they're not settling down.

I grow way too impatient and anxious. If this is what Vince can give me, I'd rather endure the pain of the heat than let him toy with me. His actions do nothing but tease me.

As if he could read my mind, Vince speaks up. "We have to be careful. We don't know if you are, in fact, pregnant, but it's a huge possibility. No matter what you decide, I don't want to harm the baby, if there is one." He explains himself.

"Exactly, we don't know. Why are you acting like people don't have sex when expecting a baby? I spoke to Aros, he told me that it's actually good to be sexually active. Besides, I'm in goddamn heat again, and if you don't do something about it, don't bother to carry on with whatever you're starting here." I let my disappointment surface. If I stay silent and pretend everything is fine, Vince won't change anything.

As he stays silent and stops, just like I told him to, I look away. "Hell Flame," Vince growls, but I ignore his attempt to get the upper hand. I take his action as proof that he doesn't want me as much as he keeps claiming.

"It's okay, I get it; you don't want me." The bitter words roll down my tongue as I refuse to look at him, even when Vince sets me back to my feet and tries to grab my chin.

I shake my head. "I get it; no need for fucking excuses. Leave!" My voice turns colder and much louder than I'd want it to be.

Vince grabs my chin and forces me to look at him. The colour of his eyes has changed, and a sudden feeling of dread washes over me. What the hell have I done? "I'll show you how much I don't want you. Dare as much as close your eyes, and you'll suffer the consequences, mate."