The Hate Vow: A Dark Enemies to Lovers Romance

by C. Hallman

  Grabbing the key card from the counter, I turn and walk down the side road until we get to our room. I don’t have to look back to make sure Penny is following me. I can feel her, even though we’re not touching. Even though I can’t hear her footsteps, I know she is there.

  Stepping into the shitty motel room, I flip on the light and sit on the bed, letting my head fall into my hands, running my fingernails over my scalp. I feel like pulling my fucking hair out.

  I fucked up. I really fucked up today, but what choice did I have? It was this, or watch the guys fuck Penny in front of me. The thought alone renews my anger. My muscles vibrate, my arms shake, and all I want to do is punch something. Let go of this anger.

  The door closes, and I hear the deadbolt being put in place. Other than my ragged breath and my heart beating viciously against my ribcage, the room is silent.

  I feel Penny move in front of me, her small hands cautiously touching my forearms.

  “Tell me what I can do? What can I do to make you feel better?”

  Her question catches me off guard. What can she do? Nothing. She takes me by surprise yet again when she gets on her knees between my legs.

  “Ryder, please, tell me what I can do? I’ll do anything.” Her voice is laced with emotion, and I know how much she means what she is saying.

  “Unless you want me to let my anger out on you, you need to step back right fucking now.”

  “Do it then… do whatever you want to. Hurt me. Let it out. Do whatever you want with me.”

  I let my hands fall from my face so I can look at her. She is on her knees, but her head is held up high, her eyes determined, her shoulders stiff, and her back straight. If she is scared, she is not showing it.

  “Do whatever you want with me?” I echo her words. “You don’t know what you’re saying. You don’t want me to take you up on that offer,” I warn, but her resolve doesn’t falter.

  “I do. I can take it, and I trust you not to go too far.”

  Lifting my hand, I wrap my fingers around her slender throat like I did earlier. She doesn’t flinch, doesn’t move, or even blink.

  “Are you sure, little owl? Are you sure you can handle that side of me?”

  “Yes.” She nods slightly, her eyes never leaving mine. I can feel her pulse racing beneath my touch, but I’m not sure if that’s to do with fear or excitement.

  In one swift move, I move us around so she is lying on the bed, and I hover above her. Never taking my hand away from her throat, I use my free one to undress her. Her chest rises and plunges, but she doesn’t fight me. Her arms lie motionless beside her body as I rip her clothes off until she is completely naked beneath me.

  Like an offering, she’s lying on the bed. Giving me her complete submission, she surrenders her body to me in every way. She is giving me all the power, which is exactly what I need right now. Regaining a sense of control.

  I can feel the anger draining from my body, leaving the intense urge to fuck her senseless in its wake. Fuck her any way I want to.

  Leaning down, I take her taut nipple between my lips, running my tongue over her soft skin before sucking it harshly. She stifles a moan, and her back arches slightly, pushing her tits further into my face.

  Raking my teeth along her tender flesh, I bite down gently, just enough to cause a little bit of pain. Penny whimpers but doesn’t move or push me away.

  Trailing my free hand down her stomach, I shove between her legs, teasing her folds apart with my fingers. She is already wet, making my two fingers slide into her cunt with ease while I continue teasing her breasts, biting, sucking, and licking anywhere I please.

  Releasing her tit, I lift my body so I can see her face while I finger fuck her. I expect to see at least a trace of fear by now, but all I find is her cheeks flushed, her lips slightly parted, and her eyes unfocused.

  I tighten my grip around her throat and add a third finger into her tight channel. Her eyes flicker to mine before she closes them. Her hands grabbing the sheets next to her, like she needs to hold on to something.

  “Regretting your offer yet?”

  She shakes her head but keeps her eyes shut. “Do your worst.”

  I don’t know why she is pushing me right now. Neither do I understand why I want to push back. Why I want to test her limits. I just do.

  “Turn around,” I order, pulling my fingers from her pussy and releasing her neck. “I want you on your hands and knees.”

  She obeys immediately, turning around, she scrambles on all fours.

  “Spread your legs more. Ass in the air.” Again, she follows my instructions without question. Her legs are spread wide, her ass is jutted out, giving me a full view.

  I strip out of my own clothes in record time. My dick is so hard it’s painful. I get on the bed behind her, grabbing her ass cheeks, I spread them apart even further.

  Leaning down, I drag my tongue all the way from her clit up to her puckered asshole. She tenses but doesn’t say anything.

  I keep teasing her there, dipping my tongue into her tight ring of muscle until I can feel her relax again.

  Straightening up, I take my cock into my hand and guide it to her cunt. Running my engorged mushroom head through her slit, I gather all the moisture before lining up with her entrance.

  With a groan, I bury myself deep inside her, filling her pussy in one fluid thrust.

  Fuck… She feels so good. My head swims. I could get lost in this feeling, get lost in her.

  I pull out, just to plunge back into her, over and over again. Each thrust making her body bounce forward.

  Sprawling my hand out between her shoulder blades, I push her down, flatten her upper body against the mattress while keeping a tight grip on her hip with my other hand. With the newfound leverage, I fuck her the way I always wanted to, hard and fast.

  I don’t know how long I fuck her like this. Minutes? Hours? I have no clue. I lose all sense of time while rutting her into the mattress.

  Only when I feel my orgasm building at the base of my spine, do I slow down and loosen my grip on her.

  This feels too good for it to be over so soon. I want to make this last all night if I can.

  “You still with me, little owl?” I ask breathlessly while running my hand up and down her spine. She shivers but pushes her ass back into me.

  “Yes,” she murmurs with her cheek against the mattress.

  “You said I can do whatever I want,” I point out while running my finger down the crack of her ass.

  “Yes.” She gasps when my thumb circles her backside.

  Grinning, I continue massaging her puckered hole all while lazily fucking her. When I know she is relaxed enough, I pull out, so I can gather her wetness from her cunt and spread it around her ass.

  She whimpers when I push my thumb into the tight ring of muscle, but once I pump it in and out a few times, she moans into the sheets. I knew she would like this.

  Pulling out my thumb, I replace it with the head of my cock.

  “Stay relaxed, don’t tense up,” I warn before I slowly push inside her. “Fuck… you’re so tight.” So tight, I don’t think I can do this without hurting her. Not like this anyway.

  Wrapping my arm around her middle, I pull her up and against my chest. My other arm snakes around her as well, my hand going between her thighs, finding her swollen clit.

  “Come for me.” I breathe into the shell of her ear while rubbing her clit relentlessly. “That’s it, let me in.”

  Her head falls back against my shoulder, and I use this new position to trail open mouth kisses over her neck and shoulder.

  She relaxes in my hold, and my cock slides in an inch, making her moan. Her slender fingers wrap around my wrist, not to push me away but to hold me close to her.

  I dip three fingers into her cunt, rubbing my palm against her clit while sliding my cock all the way inside her ass. She shudders, and a soft whimper falls from her lips. Her sharp nails dig into my skin, and I hiss at the pain.

&nbs
p; “Fuck…” My balls slap against her skin as I fuck her ass. Simultaneously, I thrust my fingers inside her other opening.

  “Ryder,” she whines, her nails digging deeper into my skin.

  “Is this what you had in mind?” My voice is so low and raspy; I can barely recognize it as my own. “Is this how you wanted me to take you? To fuck you like you’re my toy?”

  My crude words finally set her off. Her whole body convulses as a strangled scream rips from her throat. Her back arches, and her ass grips me so tightly that it sets off my own orgasm.

  I clutch onto her, clinging to her slender body as I come deep inside of her ass. The room spins, and I see stars. Wave after wave of release washes over me until my head is cloudy and my body so weak, I can’t hold myself up any longer.

  Collapsing onto the bed, I trap her body beneath mine until I can catch my breath.

  When I finally regain a sense of control over my body, I push up to make sure Penny is all right. She is still breathing heavy, a thin sheen of sweat covering her body. I swipe the damp hair from the back of her neck and place a soft kiss there.

  I want to ask if she is okay, but looking at her face, I know the answer. Her expression is relaxed, peaceful, and sated. Her lips are even tucked up in a tiny smile. Her eyes are already closed, and despite being in this shitty motel bed, she looks like she is going to have the best night of sleep.

  Pulling out of her gently, I wince at the coldness and loss of contact.

  Going into the bathroom, I grab a washcloth and run some warm water over it. When I walk back to the bed, I find she hasn’t moved an inch, and her eyes are closed. She looks thoroughly worn out.

  She doesn’t flinch when I clean between her legs, and she doesn’t stir when I move her body up, so her head is on one of the flimsy white pillows.

  Before I lie down, I double-check the lock and window. Grabbing my gun from my jacket, I make sure a bullet is in the chamber and place it on the nightstand. This location and this room are completely unsafe, but it will have to do for tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll think of something better.

  Climbing into the bed next to Penny, I cover us with the scratchy motel blanket and pull her limp body into my chest.

  Today was all kinds of fucked up, but at least I have this… her safe and sound in my arms. Even if it won’t last much longer.

  27

  Penny

  My eyes blink open, and I take in the unfamiliar room. It only takes a moment before last night’s events come rushing back to me.

  Ryder is lying next to me, the thin blanket draped over his lower half, while his broad chest is on full display. I have the urge to scoot closer, to cuddle into his side, to run my hand over his bare chest and pepper kisses all over his skin.

  Admiring his physique, I recollect what we did last night… how he fucked me rougher than I thought I could ever handle. I didn’t lie; I trusted him completely, letting go of my fears. I would have let him do whatever he wanted because I know he won’t go too far. He won’t hurt me, won’t push me over the edge.

  I gave myself to him, and in return, he gave me the most mind-blowing orgasm. Jesus, I literally passed out after.

  “I can hear you thinking,” he murmurs without opening his eyes.

  “What did you hear?” I question curiously.

  “You’re thinking about how good I look right now.” He grins, and I almost swat his arm.

  This is new. This playful side of him. The comfort I feel around him.

  “You’re not too far off, actually.” At my answer, his eyes pop open, his eyebrows raising with it, giving me a questionable look.

  “Continue,” he prompts in a teasing tone.

  “I was thinking about touching you. Maybe kissing you,” I whisper the last part, suddenly feeling vulnerable.

  “I don’t know if that would be wise. Touching would lead to fucking, and I’m sure you’re a little sore this morning.”

  Swallowing hard, I press my thighs together. The movement confirms that I am, in fact, sore. It’s not a terrible pain, more like a dull ache. It’s something I am willing to deal with again just to feel the way I did last night.

  “Um, yeah. I am sore, but not in a bad way. Not like my ribs after someone punched me in the stomach. More of a muscle sore after a workout. You can feel it, but it’s not quite painful, more like an uncomfortable reminder of what you did last night.”

  “That’s what I thought.” Ryder throws the blanket off his naked body and stands up to stretch his back. I watch his muscles flex and feel my core warming despite my thoughts just moments ago. Why does he have to have this effect on me?

  “What’s going to happen now?” I ask, trying to distract myself. Clinging to the blanket, I pull it up, covering my hardened nipples.

  “I don’t know. We can’t stay here, though.” He runs his hands through his hair. “Let’s go get some breakfast. I need some brain fuel before I can think.”

  “Do I have time for a quick shower?”

  “Sure.” He nods and watches me get up.

  Even after all this time, it’s weird having Ryder looking at me the way he does when I’m naked. He takes in my exposed form like I’m a piece of art, like I’m an expensive meal at a five-star restaurant. One he wants to devour.

  I walk past him and into the bathroom. Ryder follows me quietly, standing behind me as I turn on the water.

  Holding my hand under the spray, I wait until it gets hot, then step under it. With a smirk on his face, Ryder gets in behind me.

  Just like last time, he washes me from head to toe. In return, I do the same for him.

  We rinse off and dry ourselves with the thin motel towels.

  I hate getting dressed in my clothes from yesterday, but I don’t have much of a choice.

  After we’re both fully clothed, we leave the motel room, and Ryder drives us to a small diner on the outskirts of town.

  The diner is pretty packed, which is probably due to it being Sunday morning. Like everywhere we go together, Ryder gets dirty looks. Hushed voices surround us as we sit down in a booth furthest away from the entrance. Ryder either doesn’t see it anymore, or he simply doesn’t care.

  The waitress comes to take our order shortly after we sit down. She is about my age, but her bright red hair, pierced nose, and attitude in her walk tell me we couldn’t be more different.

  “Hi, my name is Abby, and I’ll be your server,” she rattles off her introduction with nothing but boredom. “What can I get you?” she asks while chewing a piece of gum. A pencil and small notepad in her hand.

  “Two breakfast platters, sweet tea, and coffee for both of us,” Ryder orders.

  “You got it, big boy,” she says with a wink and grabs the menus from the table. “I like a man who orders for his woman.”

  I expect Ryder to correct her, but he just nods without even looking up at her. He is scanning the restaurant instead, probably looking for threats. Maybe he just didn’t hear her.

  I watch Abby walk off in her too tight, too short dress. Apparently, she is not one of the people intimidated by Ryder. Actually, I get the opposite vibe. I think she is attracted to him.

  My hunch is confirmed when she comes back with our drinks. She sets the coffees and teas down, then wipes an imaginary dirty spot off the table. It happens to be across the table on Ryder’s side, so she has to reach over and lean into him, giving him a full view of her very voluptuous cleavage.

  My mind immediately goes to the women at the club, half-naked, and throwing themselves at the men. I always wonder where they find those kinds of women. I guess at diners like this one.

  She leaves, and I catch a smirk plastered all over Ryder’s face.

  “Are you jealous, little owl?”

  “No,” I half-lie. Okay, maybe I am jealous. She is confident, fearless, and obviously Ryder’s type. “I might be a little,” I admit.

  “Jealously looks kind of good on you. I’ll try to make you jealous more often in the future.” He leans
back in his seat and keeps looking around the restaurant.

  I don’t read too much into his statement, but I can’t help trying to analyze it. Does he mean he wants to keep me around in the future?

  Abby, our server, brings our food out not much later. Again, she shamelessly flirts with Ryder, batting her eyelashes and leaning over every chance she gets. Even knowing that he does it on purpose now, anger rises inside of me. I don’t want him to flirt with her, or anyone, joking or not.

  “Stop pouting,” Ryder says halfway through the meal. “You’re looking at me like I’m about to go fuck her in the bathroom.”

  “For all I know you would.” I shrug.

  “I wouldn’t. I haven’t had sex with anyone since the day you walked into the bar.”

  I stare at him, studying his face while he keeps eating. He is not lying, at least I don’t think. I was sure he must have had sex after I left. I’ve been actually suppressing that thought.

  “Why not?”

  “I didn’t want to.” Ryder shoves another piece of bacon in his mouth, then reaches across the table and grabs another one from my plate. “Plus, I was too busy stalking you.”

  Next time Abby comes back to clear our plates, Ryder completely ignores her. He doesn’t even answer when she asks if we are ready for the check.

  “Yes, we’re ready,” I tell her.

  “Will that be together or separate?”

  “Together,” Ryder growls, making Abby jump a bit.

  She scurries off, and Ryder gets up. Pulling two twenty-dollar bills from his pocket, he throws them on the table and starts walking out. I get out of the booth and follow him like the lost puppy I am.

  “Now that you’ve eaten, do you know where to go next?”

  “Today is Sunday,” he says, like I should know what that means. “Day of rest,” he explains.

  We pull out of the parking lot and head back on the highway. I don’t know where we are going, but we are heading away from town.

  Still exhausted from last night, I get comfortable and doze off a little.

  A while later, I am jolted awake when the truck comes to a stop. Disoriented, I look around. We’re at another hotel, but this one is the exact opposite of the one we stayed in last night. It’s nice, really nice.