The Prison Project (by Bethany Donaghy) novel Chapter 167

Chapter 167

Margot’s POV

The moment Coban pulled me down onto his knee, my breath caught.

It wasn’t rough either.

It was deliberate, like he’d decided exactly where I belonged before I even realised I was moving.

My heart stuttered as I settled against him, heat pooling low in my stomach, my palms instinctively bracing against his shoulders. His thigh was solid beneath me, grounding and overwhelming all at once, and I had to remind myself to breathe normally.

He looked at me like he already knew what I was about to say.

Which made lying impossible.

My fingers twisted together in my lap, nerves buzzing under my skin. “Sarah said something, I began, my voice softer than I meant it to be. “Something

that… stuck with us.”

Coban didn’t interrupt. Didn’t push. Just listened.

He just watched me really watched me with that sharp focus that made me feel seen right down to my bones.

–

–

“She said she wished Newman was dead,” I continued, forcing myself to meet his eyes.

I paused, swallowing.

“I see…” He spoke calmly, “So did you tell her the truth?” He questioned, eyes calculating which only made me squirm more.

I had to try my best to act casual. To not give anything away.

“Well, yeah, we felt we had to.” I admit, as he nods slowly, eyes searching mine as though he didn’t quite believe me.

“And how did she take it?” Coban pushed on, as I swallowed.

I knew he had a hand in this. A hand in Newman’s death. But I couldn’t let up that I knew about it. I’d only be throwing Cara under the bus if I did…

‘She was shocked, wanted to know what happened, we told her we didn’t really know much. I shrugged, and he seemed to ease up a little after that.

He was satisfied that his name wasn’t tied to it…

Whether Newman deserved it or not, Coban evidently wasn’t one to flex over taking/another man’s life…

“She was also… a little relieved about it.” I explain, remembering back to the words Sarah had admitted. About how it had gave her some sort of closure.

And I’d be lying if I wasn’t glad for her too…

His chest rose beneath my palm as he hummed low in his throat listening to everything I had to say and sharing his own thoughts on why it was understandable for Sarah to be relieved after the news…

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Chapter 167

He wasn’t judgmental, or surprised by her reaction.

“Well, I better get you over to Leo’s cell.” He announced, as I nodded and attempted to stand – but his thick m grounded me in place.

What was he planning to do? Carry me there? Why wasn’t he ready to let me up…

‘But first… His tone dropped dangerously low, as my lips parted ever so slightly, “let me kiss those

s one more time. He stated, and before

I could overthink it, his hand slid up to the back of my neck.

Firm. Warm.

Claiming.

And then he kissed me.

No hesitation. No question.

Just his mouth on mine, slow and sure, like it was the most natural thing in the world – like this was what we did now.

I melted instantly, becoming a pro at this whole kissing ordeal having done it a few times with him now…

Every thought scattered from my brain as his lips moved against mine, unhurried but full of intent. My body responded before my mind could catch up, leaning into him, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt like it anchored me to something real.

This wasn’t frantic.

It was dangerous in a quieter way.

Controlled. Possessive. Protective.

Putty in his hands.

When he kissed me like this, it felt like standing too close to a wildfire – close enough to feel the heat wrap around you, comforting and consuming all at once, without burning.

Butterflies erupted in my stomach, wild and uncontrollable.

I was kissing a killer.

Mooching with a murderer.

And dare I say, I didn’t overly care?

Not right now….

When he finally pulled back, my breath was uneven, my lips tingling and raw.

His forehead rested against mine, his thumb brushing my jaw with surprising gentleness.

“You don’t have to carry everything, he murmured. “Not with me.”

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My chest tightened.

I nodded, unable to find the right words.

‘Seeing Sarah was hard for you, but you handled it well. She’s going to be okay, and so are you. He spoke

I could’ve cried at his words..

So pure and supportive.

swallowed a lump forming in my throat.

“Thanks, Coban…” I whispered, as his eyes held mine in place.

For a moment, we just stayed there – me perched on his knee, his arms around me like I was worth my weight in gold.

It was odd, two weeks in to a project that already felt like a lifetime… and I was still petrified of what would happen when it would finally come to an end.

Because this – whatever this was was becoming something I didn’t know how to step away from on the outside…

–

I didn’t want Coban to leave. To become a distant memory. To leave me behind.

Why couldn’t we work on the outside too? Like a proper couple? Maybe he’d want that now too?

“Coban?” I found his name slip out, as he pulled back to look me over.

“What is it?” He asked, knowing I had something new buzzing around.

“When this is over… and when we both make it to the end of this project, and you’re free… would we still, you know? See each other?” I questioned, my

voice shaky.

I was fearful of what he’d say, fearful of the early rejection, but he seemed to think on it…

The silence stretched, his eyes searching mine, as each passing second made me want to run in to the bathroom, lock the door, and cry for even asking such

a stupid thing…

“What is this… what are we? The kissing, the closeness? Do you want this to be more?” I find myself whispering, the words flooding out due to my anxiety after his prolonged silence.

What the hell was he thinking about?

Why wouldn’t he answer?

When he finally moved, pushing me up to stand, his hand lingered at my waist a second longer than necessary before it dropped…

I’m sorry, Bella. We’re running low on time, come on, I’ll walk you to Leo’s,” he said quietly, as I felt my heart shatter from inside my chest.

He didn’t like me, not like that.

My biggest fear was confirmed.

1 was his ticket out of here,

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A distraction in the meantime.

I nodded slowly, fighting any tears that threatened to spill, as I walked to pick up my box of products to take with me to Leo’s cell

Dare I say, I was glad to be leaving him for tonight, especially after this…

As we stepped toward the door, my heart still racing, one thought echoed louder than the rest…

I was falling for a man that would never feel the same.

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I love hearing their inner thoughts but for 4 chapters not much has happened. On chapter 165 and it’s only 2 weeks into the project and only on day 2 of the swap. this boo… More

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