Chapter Four
M y jaw dropped, eyes widening as my heart thudded in my chest.
What does he mean?
His fingers reached for my chin, trailing upward, grazing my cheek. I flinched, turning away, but he caught my chin, forcing my face toward his.
“Look at me.”
His grip tightened, and I had no choice. His eyes bore into mine, dark and unreadable, and my lips parted almost involuntarily, my breath shaky and uneven.
“So beautiful it hurts,” he whispered, his brow furrowed. “Those eyes. Ocean blue. Haunted. And these lips…” his thumb brushed roughly along my lower lip, causing it to tremble. He tilted my head back, his fingers tangling in my hair, sending a shiver down my spine. I braced myself for his kiss, my pulse racing wildly.
But he only smirked. His hand drifted lower, slipping beneath my tank top, his fingertips grazing my bare skin. My stomach clenched as his touch trailed higher, inching towards my breasts.
“You want me to kiss you, don’t you?”
My cheeks burned, and I dropped my gaze, staring at the floor as shame tightened my throat.
“I want to,” he whispered. For a moment, his voice softened, almost tender.
I chanced a look up at him, my heart fluttering. But the softness was already gone. His face had hardened, that wicked smile returning.
“I want a lot more than that. I want everything. And tonight, I’m taking it. Whether you want to give it to me or not.”
Reality crashed over me, cold and suffocating. My breath came faster as his hands moved to my back, his fingers skillfully unhooking my bra. I gasped as his hands cupped me, his low moan vibrating, sending an unwanted thrill through me as he squeezed my breasts and pinched my nipples.
Tears pricked my eyes as I stood frozen. There was no leaving. He would have his way with me tonight, and there was nothing I could do about it.
He lifted my tank top over my head and tossed it aside, my bra falling to the floor with it. He stepped back to take me in, and I instinctively covered myself.
“Don’t you dare,” he snapped, brushing my arms away with firm hands. “Let me see you.”
My skin prickled under his penetrating stare, my cheeks burning as his eyes darkened. His hand slipped to the front of his shorts, stroking himself through the fabric, the movement slow and deliberate.
“Even more amazing than I imagined,” he murmured, almost to himself, his voice thick with need. “Your body’s a work of art.”
He began circling me like a shark narrowing in on its prey, his footsteps measured, his presence overpowering.
“Get those pants off—I need to see that ass,” he growled, his voice rough with command.
A shaky breath escaped as I stood there, exposed. I couldn’t let him do this.
“You had your look. You copped a feel. That’s enough,” I protested, my voice unsteady. “I’m leaving.”
He raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering across his face. “Take them off. Now,” he said through gritted teeth. His tone dropped, dangerous and final. “You don’t want to find out what happens when I’m angry.”
My heart sank, despair clawing at my chest. There was no way out. My hands trembled as I peeled off my yoga pants, feeling them stretch over my curves. The thin black thong beneath was the only layer left between his prying eyes and my bare skin. He stayed behind me, silent, and I could hear his breathing grow heavier, his gaze burning into me. The heat of it was almost tangible, sending a shiver down my spine as I stood there, exposed and trembling.
“You’re shaking,” he whispered as his footsteps approached again, his eyes tracing a path up my side as he returned to face me. “Am I that scary?” he taunted, his smirk curling like a predator toying with its prey.
His imposing stature loomed over me, making my heart race as I wondered what he’d do next.
“Let me see them move,” he said, his voice velvet-soft but dripping with command.
“What?” I stammered, my heart hammering against my ribs as the air seemed to thicken around me.
“You came here for a workout, didn’t you?” His grin widened, cruel and calculating, his tone both teasing and predatory. “Time for your cardio. Running on the spot.”
My jaw dropped, but the look in his eyes told me he was dead serious. Reluctantly, I began jogging, my cheeks heating as my body moved under his gaze. I felt ridiculous as my breasts bounced up and down, swaying from side to side. My chest ached—I normally needed an extreme sports bra to keep them in check.
But his eyes widened, his cock straining against his shorts as he watched me.
“Don’t stop,” he murmured, stepping closer.
His hand reached out, cupping me as I continued jogging, my breasts bouncing into his palms. He returned a playful smack, sending a jolt through me, his grin widening as his bulge grew.
“Such beautiful big tits,” he mused, his tone thick with satisfaction. “What are you, a double D? You’ve grown since school.”
I blushed, looking down at the floor. A rush of conflicting emotions tightened in my throat. His intensity, his dirty words—everything about him stirred something raw within me. But the way he looked at me—possessive, as though I were his to take—it both thrilled and repelled me. My mind raced back to those disgusting letters. I could never let him win. He couldn’t ever have me.
“Get your hands off me,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “This isn’t what I came here for.”
He chuckled, an edge of cruelty in his voice. “Why did you come here, then? Admit it—you want this. You’ve wanted me since that day on the field.”
I looked down, my resolve wavering. He leaned closer, his expression softening just enough to make my heart skip.
“Don’t be ashamed,” he breathed. “I wanted you then, and I want you now. Do you have any idea what it’s like to have someone stuck in your head for nine years? Do you know what that does to a person?”
He growled, sliding his hand up my spine, curling around the back of my neck, pulling me close. His voice dropped, barely a whisper against my ear.
“It drove me fucking insane. That’s why I ended up in prison.”
I gasped, his hand still firm around my neck, thumb grazing my pulse. My heart pounded, caught between fear and something I couldn’t fully understand. I was immobilized, my mind racing with everything I should do, but my body rooted in place, drawn to the thrill of his presence.
“What… what do you mean?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
He chuckled, the sound low and dark. “We’re not getting into that now. Just know that from this moment on, you’re mine.” His eyes glinted with intent. “And tonight, I’m not going easy on you. You’re going to make up for teasing me. I fucking own you.”
I felt my heart rate quicken. As much as I hated to admit it, I was attracted to him. His rough dominance even turned me on more. My mind flickered back to the letters, all the filthy things he’d promised to do to me, and my body began to tremble.
“No,” I said, finding my voice. “You don’t own me. I’m not just going to… to give in to you.”
He chuckled slowly. “So cute that you think you have a choice.”
My heart raced as fear began to well up inside me. Could I make a run for it? My eyes darted to the door, but I remembered he’d dead bolted it shut.
Dammit.
That would take extra time, and there was no way he wouldn’t catch me.
“Are you going to run?” he teased, his smile deepening. “I dare you.”
I breathed hard. I had to play along for now. Maybe I could slip away once he let his guard down. I would have to gather my clothes first.
“Fine,” I said quietly. “What do you want?”
He watched me with an intensity that made my pulse race, something dark and unreadable flickering in his eyes.
“You’re learning fast,” he said, his voice rough, as though the words had been dragged from somewhere deep inside him.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he pulled his shirt off, the fabric clinging to his powerful body—before it was discarded with a fluid, almost careless motion. My breath caught as my eyes followed the deep V of his abs, dipping into his shorts.
He caught my stare, and a slow, knowing smile tugged at the corner of his lips. The space between us seemed to shrink, the air heavy with unspoken tension, every breath charged with heat. His voice dropped lower, a gravelly growl that rumbled through the air, sinking into my skin like a forbidden touch.
“You’re going to start by crawling over here, putting that sweet mouth on my cock, taking all of me.”
I swallowed hard, fear flashing through me. But beneath the fear, my pussy throbbed at his words. A thought clawed its way into my mind, something I couldn’t ignore.
“Are you… clean?” I asked, my voice careful.
He growled, his patience thinning.
“Of course I am. I haven’t been with anyone in five fucking years.”
Relief coursed through me, though his admission made my chest tighten. Five years behind bars. All that time, he’d been waiting—pining—for me.
“And you?” he asked, his tone laced with suspicion. His sneer deepened as he added, “You fucking that Ryan guy?”
My cheeks burned as I shook my head, shame creeping into my voice. “No,” I whispered, barely able to get the word out. “We were… taking it slow.”
“How romantic,” he drawled, his words dripping with mockery. “Don’t expect me to take it slow.”
I bit my lip, frozen under his piercing gaze, unsure what to do next. His expression shifted slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes as a new thought seemed to cross his mind.
“You’re not still… a virgin, are you?” His voice softened, though his shock was palpable. “I didn’t think you’d wait for me. Not for that long.”
Anger bubbled up in my chest, scorching through my restraint. If I were a virgin, it sure as hell wouldn’t be because I was saving myself for him.
“I’m not a virgin,” I snapped, my voice like steel. “Not even close.”
The words were sharp and deliberate, meant to cut him where it hurt.
His eyes darkened, narrowing as his cruel smile returned, crawling up his lips.
“Oh, so you’ve got some experience? Bit of a slut in college, huh?”
“Fuck you,” I spat, my patience thinning. “I’m not a slut. I’ve had a few boyfriends.”
His smile didn’t falter, the satisfaction in his voice unmistakable.
“I bet you’re on the pill, then?”
I didn’t meet his gaze, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of seeing the answer in my eyes.
“Well? Aren’t you?” he pressed, his voice low, demanding.
I nodded reluctantly, hating the way my admission felt like a surrender.
His lips twisted into a smirk.
“Bet you were counting down the days… just waiting to give it up to him. That… Ryan.”
He spat the name, like poison, disgust dripping from every syllable.
The words hit a nerve, igniting a fire of anger and shame inside me. He wasn’t wrong—I had been waiting, anticipating that moment with Ryan. A single tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it, stinging against my skin.
I brushed it away quickly, hoping he wouldn’t notice. But of course he noticed.
“Baby,” he murmured, his tone softer but no less possessive. “I’m going to make all your dreams come true—dreams you didn’t even know you had. Ryan won’t mean a damn thing to you soon.”
I glared at him, my eyes like daggers.
His expression hardened again, his voice dropping low, a commanding edge returning.
“Now, what did I tell you to do?”