Chapter 8
Eight
Beibhinn
The Present
You call it hope-that fire of fire! It is but agony of desire.
—Edgar Allan Poe
I keep my eyes on Cadden as I rise and straighten my spine. There are a few ways I can approach this, but I’m not stupid enough to believe any of those avenues will lead anywhere. Not when he’s stalking towards me, hands resting in the pockets of his suit pants. The gold buckle of his belt glimmers under the soft glow from the fairy lights that decorate his bookshelves, distracting me for a split second longer than it should. Somewhere between me leaving the bedroom and him following me down to the library, he’s lost his shirt—a move that, if I had to guess, was strategic on his part.
My heart picks up as he closes the distance one precise step at a time. There’s no way out, only up, and unfortunately, my predator is blocking the ladder I came down, leaving me to deal with the consequences of my actions.
I track his every step, and with nowhere to go and the main door still locked, I’m trapped, surrounded by books and a scent that’s purely Cadden. I press my body to flatten against the door behind me as I drink him in, noting the smug smile stretched across his face. He knows he’s won. I’m cornered with no way out.
I made the first move, and now he’s ready to play.
The devil knows his strengths, but more importantly, he knows his enemies’ weaknesses. Cadden Connelly is no fool, he’s aware my weakness is him.
“Did you really think I would be stupid enough to leave the only exit unlocked? Come on, B. You know me better than that.”
I bite down on my lower lip, trapping my retort behind my teeth. Careful not to seem fazed by him drawing closer, I do a quick scan of my surroundings from my peripheral vision, all while trying my best to maintain eye contact. It’s useless, the only way out of this is through him. I might be going down, but fucked if I’m doing it without putting up one hell of a fight.
Hoping to catch him somewhat off guard, I clench my fist and strike first, but I’m not quick enough to make contact. Cadden grips my extended arm, his fingers latching around my abraded wrist, making me hiss through the pain. Before I can pull back, he uses my arm as leverage, spinning me around so fast, I almost lose my balance. Within a split second, my cheek is pressed against the hardwood.
“Let. Me. Go!” I hiss through clenched teeth.
Ignoring my demand, Cadden pins my wrist above my head while I wriggle beneath his hold, but he uses his six-foot-three frame as a weapon, moulding his chest to my back and holding me in place. “I can’t, Pretty Poison. Believe me, I would if I could, but you’re in my veins.”
Like always, his words weaken my resolve but not enough to forget his wicked lies. Unfortunately, I’m a million miles from full strength after whatever drug he injected into me on Friday night. Not to mention, I’ve been tied to a bed for thirty-odd hours with fuck-all to eat or drink. There is no chance of me overpowering him.
Using my free hand, I push against the door and try to create a sliver of space to use to my advantage, but just like I knew he would, Cadden plays dirty. Callous fingertips trail up my thigh, dancing along the hem of the worn tee I’m wearing. My breath hitches as he slides his hand beneath the frayed cotton. I close my eyes and push away the need spreading through me by focusing on the hate. “What the fuck are you doing?”
His mouth lowers to my ear, and his hot breath whispers against my skin, “Making you stay.”
I shrug him off as best I can, gritting my response past my clenched jaw. “You’re not giving me much of a choice.”
His hand trails higher, and I’m made all too aware of my lack of underwear when two fingers slip inside me. Cursing the silk-dress gods for visible panty lines, I make a note to never go commando again. God forbid I get fucking kidnapped or something equally as predictable. Also while I’m at it, I note the sarcasm.
“You can keep fighting me, B, but you know how much I love your fire.”
“Not as much as I hate you.”
“Lies.” He circles my clit. “You don’t hate me. Not yet. But you can pretend all you want, if that’s what makes you feel better.”
My head lolls at his touch, exposing the column of my neck. Cadden takes it as an invitation and bites down on the sensitive patch where my neck greets my shoulders. At the same time, he pushes his fingers inside me. A moan rushes past my lips, filling the surrounding air.
Using all the strength I can muster, I try to lift my wrist from the door and back push against him, but his hold tightens. Before I can make any leeway, he slams my hand back against the wood.
“Fuck you.”
“Soon, snowflake. I’m only getting started.” His fingers curl inside me, rubbing against my G-spot. I clench around him, hoping to hold back the sensation building to a peak. My breath quickens, and my chest rises and falls with every stroke. As much as I try to fight against it, the pressure between my thighs becomes unbearable. “Tell me, does Maleficent like to beg?” he taunts before running his tongue along my neck as I thrash against his chest. “Because nothing gets me harder than my Pretty Poison begging.”
Unbidden, my whimper echoes around us when Cadden rips his fingers from my pussy, leaving me feeling empty and desperate. A needy plea dances across my tongue, begging to be let free, but I hold it in, refusing to give him the satisfaction.
Craning my neck as much as possible, I watch with fiery eyes as he brings his fingers to his mouth before wrapping his lips around them. A hum of approval vibrates his chest. “How is it someone so bitter can taste so fuckin’ sweet?”
I continue to thrash against him, needing to gain the upper hand, but it’s fruitless.
Suddenly, his hand is between us, and I hear the sound of his belt buckle opening, swiftly followed by the teeth of his zipper. From behind, I can feel him lowering his trousers. His cock springs free and juts against my arse. My body reacts, sending a shiver down my spine, and I hate it, hate him for making me appear so fucking weak. Logically, I shouldn’t want this, shouldn’t want him. But deep down, I crave the release only he can give me. Together we are a match to gasoline—one strike and we’re burning alive.
His hand slides along his length, each stroke making him grow thicker, until I can feel the tip of his dick leaking through the cotton tee.
Making one last attempt at freeing myself from his hold, I shift my hips back, pressing my arse against his cock. He releases a groan. Then, using the momentary distraction, I push off the wall and twist my body, turning in his arms. I ignore the fire clawing at my wrist and push forward, only to be met with resistance when Cadden’s other hand lunges towards my throat, pinning me back against the door.
“Always such a brat.” His grip tightens as a devious tilt smears across his lips. “Too stubborn for your own good.”
Narrowing my eyes, I fight against the pulsing ache building in the pit of my core. He’s loving this—the primal obsession we’ve spent years creating.
“Sweet, poisonous Beibhinn. So eager to push me away, even when you know deep down I’m embedded in the depths of your soul, and there’s no way you can purge me out.”
My free hand wraps around his wrist, and my fingernails bite into his skin as my lungs tighten with the lack of oxygen. Pursing my lips, I gather as much moisture in my mouth as I can, tilt my chin slightly and spit in his face.
His eyes darken, but he barely flinches. His hold on my wrist drops as he brings the back of his hand to his face, wiping my mark from his skin. The tension between us ignites with the intensity of a look, and before I know it, he brings his hand to my mouth, showing me the evidence of my defiance. “Lick it.”
I bite down on my lower lip and raise a brow. “No.”
“If you want me to fuck your pussy until you see a sky full of stars, you’ll do what you’re told. Now lick, brat.”
A tingle ripples through me, and I hate how much I love his command. Keeping my eyes trained on his, my tongue sweeps out, removing my saliva from the back of his hand.
“Good girl.” His hands drop to the tops of my thighs before he lifts me off my feet and slams my back against the door. My fingers dive into his hair at the same time his lips descend on mine. There is nothing delicate about the way he attacks my mouth. It’s wild, unruly, and completely predatory. Sultry strokes of his tongue and hungry nips on my lower lip set the tempo for our tango. I grip the longer strands of hair on his head, tugging as he marks my mouth with his ferocious needs. It’s always been this way, a combustion of tension neither of us can contain.
His hands move higher, fingers denting my arse as he shifts me a little higher. The material of the tee he loaned me bunches around my waist, exposing my pussy. Trying to steady myself, my thighs tighten around his waist. My movement draws him closer, and he grinds against me. His cock slides through my folds, teasing my clit.
“Oh, devil.” My head tips back, and Cadden trails his mouth along my neck, leaving bite barks across my skin when he sinks his teeth into me. One hand slides along my thigh, and as he holds me in place with his hips, he guides his cock to where I crave it most. Lost to him and the way he manipulates my body against my will, I grip the back of his neck as he plunges his cock into me. His name rushes past my lips with a breathless moan.
“That’s it, Mal. I feel your pussy clamping around me.”
My nails sink into the back of his neck as his thrusts become more brutal, claiming my body over and over until I’m putty in his hands. The force of every jut of his pelvis has my eyes rolling back and my breath quickening to a pant. Shifting slightly, he grabs hold of my waist. His fingers bruise my skin as he uses my body to fuck himself, guiding me along his length, each pull matching his push.
“You’ve always been a good little slut for my dick, haven’t you, B?”
“Oh, fuck. I’m almost there.”
“That’s my good girl.” Bringing his hand between us, he rubs circles around my clit, and when I tighten around him, he pinches. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t stop myself from exploding. Like always, Cadden’s body reacts to mine, and with one more thrust, he’s filling me with his cum. “Take every drop, baby.” His eyes fall to my pussy, and he watches as his cum leaks from me as he pulls his cock out and guides me to my feet. With greedy eyes, he trails his gaze over every inch of my skin as he swipes at his bottom lip with the tip of his tongue.
Once I can stand without feeling like my legs are going to buckle beneath me, Cadden steps closer and clamps my chin in his grip. My eyes meet his, and there’s raging regret swirling in their depths.
“Hate me. I deserve it.”
Before I can dissect his words, he reaches for the keychain around his neck and pulls it over his head. Then, lifting my arm, he guides my palm open and drops the key into my hand. “If I told you every good thing I’ve ever done, you’d hate me anyway.”