No one in the whole wide world has the power to make me feel both love and hate simultaneously the way Jace Covington does.

He’s the yin to my yang. The down to my up. The crazy to my normal.

The damaged pieces to all my broken parts.

I could befriend every single person on the planet, and no one will ever know me the way he does.

No one will ever come close to making me feel so alive or light my soul on fire.

No one will ever hurt me more.

“Look, I don’t kn—”

“Shut up.” In two strides he’s closing the distance between us, pinning me against the wall. “You’re not the one calling the shots this time.”

Clearly his memory is different than mine because I’ve never called any of the shots when it came to us.

“What do you want from me?”

Why are you treating me like I’m lower than dirt?

His gaze drops down to my chest and his expression darkens. “Not a damn thing.”

He might want to believe that, but his eyes betray him. They’re full of longing and desire, despite all his hostility.

I press a palm to his chest and his heart rate speeds up. “You sure about that?”

My breathing hitches as his hand slithers up the front of my shirt, intentionally resting between my breasts before traveling up to my throat. “Let’s get one thing straight.” I jolt in surprise when he grips the back of my neck. “What I felt for you back then doesn’t exist anymore.”

We both know that isn’t true otherwise he wouldn’t be in a closet with me. Again.

My chest aches as the vivid memory of the last time I saw him washes over me. “Then why are you here?”

His heated stare burns like the sun. “You were right.” I see the glint of metal on his tongue before he dips his head and licks the column of my throat. “There is something I still want.”

“What—”

Whatever I was going to say evaporates when he flicks his tongue ring over my pulse point and sucks the tender skin into his mouth.

A rush of heat settles between my thighs and my entire body vibrates with need. “Don’t stop.”

He’s so rough I know he’s marking my flesh, but I don’t care.

Digging my nails into his back, I hitch a leg around his waist, demanding more.

A low groan escapes him, and he bites harder. For a moment, I honestly wonder if he’s going to tear through the tissue and rip out my vocal cords with his teeth.

“Jac—”

“Take off your panties,” he growls into my neck. “Show me how fucking wet I make you.”

My cheeks flush as I slip my hands under my skirt and slide them down.

He swiftly picks them up off the floor and examines the damp spot. “Looks like you want something too.” His lips curve into a wicked grin. “But you’re gonna have to beg for it.”

I hold his gaze. “What happens if I don’t?”

“I’ll find someone who will.” He sucks my earlobe between his lips. “But that’s not what you really want, is it?”

I shake my head.

The thought of him doing this to Britney or someone else causes bile to surge up my esophagus.

I’m confused when he grabs both of my wrists and places them behind my back. “What are you doing?”

He kisses the hollow of my throat. “I want you at my mercy while I do all the sick, perverted things I’ve been dreaming about for years.”

Warmth rushes my insides and I don’t protest when he uses my panties to secure me to the frame of a nearby shelf.

“I can’t decide whether I should taste you here first.” His finger dips between my cleavage. “Or here.” I shiver when he clamps the inside of my thigh.

Butterflies swarm my belly when his mouth descends. “Maybe I’ll just start with your tits and work my way down.”

Clenching my thighs to relieve some of the pressure, I rasp, “Please.”

“Please what?” The rough edge of his thumb caresses my nipple through my shirt. “You want me to fuck you?”

Licking my lips, I nod. “Yes.”

With a grunt, he seizes my shirt and tears it open, sending buttons scattering everywhere.

A crude smile lights his face as he peers down at me. “Not even if you were the last piece of pussy on earth.”

For a moment I think I’m hearing things, but it’s clear that’s not the case when I see the wrath swimming in his dark orbs.

This was nothing but a cruel trick.

And I fell for it…hook, line, and sinker.

I struggle against the restraints, but he’s tied them so tight there’s no way I’ll get out of them myself. “Why are you doing this to me?”

Anger tightens his features. “You know why.”

I honestly don’t. “Is it because I left?”

I’m grasping at straws here, but it’s all I’ve got. Nothing else adds up.

“I can’t decide if that’s your attempt at a sick joke, or if you’ve lost too many brain cells over the years.” A muscle in his jaw flexes and he gets so close to my face I don’t know if he’s going to kiss me or bite me. “You leaving town was the best thing that ever happened to me. And if you had any sense, you’d do it again. For good this time.”

My blood boils and I spit in his face. “Fuck you.”

Regardless of my feelings for him, he doesn’t get to talk to me like I’m a dense piece of shit.

He wipes his face and backs up. “Apparently you still haven’t gotten the memo.” His expression goes slack. “I’d rather stick my dick through a meat grinder than inside you.”

“Hate to break it to you, but your dick was awfully responsive for someone who wants nothing to do with me.”

His hands clench into fists at his sides. “Don’t flatter yourself. The only thing turning me on was the thought of watching you crumble when I rejected you.”

“Damn. Guess you’ll have to try harder next time. Clearly, I’m completely devastated over our missed opportunity to hook up.” I sniffle sardonically. “I’m not sure how I’ll ever recover from the depths of these despairs.” Batting my eyelashes, I look at him. “On second thought, I should be thanking you. Given your dick has been inside Britney, I’m sure it’s drowning in all sorts of venereal diseases. Therefore, you and your cock no longer appeal to me.” I sink my teeth into my lower lip and smile wryly. “Looks like you brought me here for nothing.”

“You’re right.” He moves toward me in predatory strides. “If shooting you down and watching you cry was my sole intention, I failed.” There’s a calculated note in his voice. “But it wasn’t.”

I roll my eyes. “Then pray tell, what exactly was the point of all this?”

He palms my cheek. It’s a gesture that’s way too gentle for the anger radiating off him. “To inform you that it wasn’t Oakley who started the rumor about the two of you.” There’s a mocking gleam in his eyes. “He also didn’t put up the mugshots of your dad all over school.” The pad of his finger brushes my lip. “And it wasn’t my girl who tripped you at lunch yesterday.” His teeth flash white. “That was all me.”