Aurora
I wake up to Desire sleeping beside me, burning hot like a furnace.
I inch toward the far side of the bed, pressing my aching thighs together.
My bladder is painfully full. I get up, then freeze, throwing a long look at my Prince Harming.
I’m mesmerized by the gruesome yet captivating web of scars across his relaxed body.
I wanted to ask him about his father. About his family.
About how anyone could hand over their own son to be put through a meat grinder …
, but I caught myself, realizing none of it really matters to me.
Desire is exactly what I need right now.
Perfectly contradictory—terrifyingly cruel one moment, unexpectedly tender the next.
Harsh in his punishments, sweet in his rewards.
I slip out the door and find myself back in the room with the chains.
My pulse quickens from the still-too-fresh memories.
The club below the window has fallen silent, and Zeus lies in his spacious enclosure.
They’ll probably take him back soon to his obedient pride of lionesses.
The sudden thought stings me, making me jealous.
Desire must have more than one obedient pussy like me.
Yes, he said he hadn’t fucked anyone since Africa, but after months of Zack’s pathetic lies, it’s too hard for me to trust a man’s words.
I crack open the heavy door to the outside—a long, unfamiliar corridor stretches beyond it. Shivering, I retreat to the chains, drawing my wrinkled dress over my naked, sore body, leaving my bra and torn panties on the floor, along with the shoes. My muscles ache like never before.
I step into the hallway and glance around at the identical panels, searching for the right door.
Desire washed me in a bathroom somewhere nearby …
Well, to be honest, he didn’t just wash me, he fucked me hard.
He couldn’t hold back his predatory instincts, and honestly, I didn’t want to hold him back.
I walk around a large Greek vase against the wall. The hallway widens into a dimly lit lounge area with deep leather sofas. Here, sprawled in careless poses, some guys and girls from the night crowd are sleeping or talking among themselves.
One of the guys notices me, gets up with a lecherous smirk, and walks toward me.
“Looks like you’re lost, girlie?” He eyes my disheveled hair, smeared makeup, and the fresh, crimson hickeys peeking out from the neckline of my dress.
“Oh, looks like you’ve already been well sampled today.
Well, I’d be happy to take over the relay. ”
The arrogant bastard reaches toward my face. Rage flares inside me, and I slap his hand away. “Do you have an extra hand or something?! I’m your boss’s woman!”
The guy freezes, confused. His gaze slides down to my neck, lingering on the thin necklace. His lips curl into a greasy smirk. “So where’s your gold choker, huh? I bet you’ve got a gray collar stashed somewhere, bitch.”
He steps toward me, and before I can flinch or dodge, a heavy object whistles through the air.
A massive vase, flying in from the side, slams into his forehead with a dull crack.
The force of the blow snaps his head back, and he crashes to the floor like a sack of bricks.
Shards rain down at my feet, and a deep gash swells on the idiot’s forehead, blood seeping from the wound.
He groans, curled on the carpet, clutching his wounded head. People around him jump up, the sleepy lounge atmosphere blown away in an instant. In the chaos, I recognize Isaac. He stares in shock, first at me, then at the whimpering guy on the floor.
“Scratch?! What the hell have you done?!”
“He’s out of his fucking mind” sounds from behind.
A storm cloud seems to rise at my back. I glance over my shoulder and meet the broad, crowned chest. Desire is only wearing jeans, his muscles bulging. “Babe, what are you doing outside our bed?”
“I need to …” I exhale shakily and shift my aching thighs.
My lower abdomen twists into a tight, hot knot, and I can’t tell anymore whether I need to pee or if this whole insane situation and his instant, merciless retribution have turned me on to my limit.
Scratch keeps whimpering on the floor, staining the carpet with fresh blood, but no one in the room moves or rushes to help him. Everyone’s eyes are fixed on Desire. And he, with his blazing dark gaze, looks only at me, and under this heavy attention, my thighs break out in goosebumps.
Desire’s palm closes around my throat, and I cry out as he yanks me flush against his burning chest and captures my lips with his.
He uses my moment of shock to push his hot tongue deep inside. There isn’t a trace of tenderness in this kiss, only pure, concentrated power. He dominates me, branding me before his subjects.
I press my palms against his solid chest, trying to push him away, to break free from his grip, but it’s utterly useless.
His long fingers lock around my neck like a steel trap; his other hand holds my waist, not letting me pull back even an inch.
He kisses me with terrifying, absolute control.
His hand slides down to my thigh, pressing my stomach hard against his groin.
I relax under his force. He delves deeper, his tongue greedily and roughly subduing my mouth, cutting off my air until, finally surrendering, I whimper against his lips.
The people around us stand there, mouths hanging open, watching their boss devour me over Scratch’s prone body.
“She belongs to me. Anyone who dares to lay a finger on her will leave the Kingdom feet first,” Desire states, sweeping his icy gaze over the frozen subjects around him.
“Do I make myself fucking clear?” he barks, the silence in the lounge turning deafening.
Finally, with undisguised disgust, he glances down at the whimpering Scratch.
“Get this trash out of my club. I don’t want to see his face here again. ”
Without waiting for their nods, his palm lands on my lower back. He pushes me toward the dark hallway, forcing me out of sight, and stalks after me like a predator. With a shaky exhale, I obey, stumbling forward on trembling legs.
“I certainly hope you had a goddamn good reason for leaving my bed.” His low voice burns the back of my neck.
“Only if you’re not into golden showers,” I snap, tossing the words over my shoulder.
A low chuckle sounds behind me, sending a hot wave of goosebumps racing down my spine.
Adrenaline is pounding inside me. I’m still trying to process what just happened. I don’t know how to react to this primal, brutal act of violence on my behalf and his blatantly possessive display in public. It infuriates me, terrifies me, and … arouses me even more.
“I’ll take you to the bathroom, my insolent princess, then we’ll take a long, hot shower together.”
Without turning around, I know he’s licking his lips in anticipation. My lower abdomen twists again, sweet and heavy. Our crazy night marathon is definitely not over yet.