Chapter 20 He's Ruthless

He’s not. He bends, picks up the ring in no hurry, and takes a Zippo lighter from his pocket. It’s the same one he used to light a joint when we first met. I watch, horrified, as he flicks the lighter and holds the ring under the flame.

He’s bluffing.

I look between his impassive face and the blackening surface of the ring, unable to believe he’ll go through with it.

“I prefer that you wear it on your finger,” he says. “But as I said, it’s your choice.”

When he kills the flame and reaches for me, I shrink back. His fingers curl around my bicep, dragging me closer. I fight his hold, clawing at his forearm, but my efforts have no effect. He brushes my hair over my shoulder, taking care not to touch my skin with the ring, and kisses a spot on my neck.

A shudder runs through me.

He’s going to do it—right there where he pressed his lips on my skin.

“Wait,” I cry out, straining in his grasp.

He blows over the spot that’s wet from his kiss, making my skin contract. “It’ll hurt, but I’ll put