Chapter 8 #2
I wasn’t as angry as I was enthused. Even wet. Yet the pain was ridiculous, more than any moment of anguish I’d experienced in a very long time.
And he wasn’t ready to quit, marking my skin with his hand, moving from one side of my buttocks to the other. Damn if he didn’t have a gleam in his eyes. That angered me almost as much as the act itself.
“Let me go.”
“Not until you tell me you need this.”
“Not a chance.”
He laughed. “Then I’ll continue.” Which he did, dropping one brutal crack of his hand after another until I was so wet and hot, I couldn’t think clearly.
“Stop. Just stop.” When he did momentarily, I was finally able to catch my breath.
“You know what you need to do.”
When I didn’t answer him right away, he tightened his grip and continued, each swat harder than the last.
I stomped my feet and reached my hand back, but there was no escape.
“Fine. I need this. Okay? I admit it. Just stop.”
The man was so infuriating, but he stopped immediately and, in a few seconds, he pulled me to my feet, turning me around to face him.
Thank God, no one walked in, or I’d be the laughingstock of the entire town. Panting, I gripped his arms to steady myself, wanting to hate him even while continuing to tingle all over.
My pussy throbbed as he lowered his head. I tried one last time to come to my senses and push him away, but as with almost everything else in my life, I failed miserably.
Which was why when he captured my mouth, all acts of common sense were tossed aside. The taste of his lips alone was enticing, the hint of bourbon fusing with the rich notes of blackberry from my wine as breathtaking as the way he was holding me.
As if he’d never let me go. Ridiculous, of course.
This was his way of asserting whatever level of dominance he believed rightfully belonged to him.
As soon as I shifted in his arms, he rolled the flat of one hand down my back, cupping my bottom.
The material of my dress was so thin I could feel the clear definition of his fingertips digging into my skin.
Even worse was the pulsing sensation of his cock pressed between my legs. He was rock hard.
I willed myself to push him away, almost succeeding when I drove my hands into his muscular forearms. The failure allowed me to roll one arm over his shoulder, grasping a handful of thick, soft hair.
He swept his tongue inside, dancing his against mine, but there was no doubt which one of us was in control. I’d had men kiss me before, some I’d believed amazingly passionate, but none had never directed butterflies to my stomach or made me feel lightheaded.
The sense of being swept away, as if nothing else mattered but this moment and this man was overwhelming.
As the kiss continued, a series of stars floated in front of my eyes. My God, the man was hard all over, so strong that when he lifted me off my feet, it felt as if I was flying.
While he’d been tender yet demanding at first, the irrevocable passion exploded between us, the kiss now an embodiment of sin.
When he pulled our lips free, easing me to the floor, he tightened his hold on my hair.
The fact his mouth remained only inches away was thrilling.
Challenging. I clung to him, wrapping my fingers around his shirt as I licked my lips.
His eyes were hooded, studying me as intently if not more than before.
“Fleur. Are you in here? You need to see… this because…” Bekka’s voice trailed off and while I couldn’t see her expression, I had no doubt her eyes were saucers, her mouth hanging open. “Oops.”
That clinched it. There was no way I’d live this down. Heat was no longer just finding a home between my legs. My neck and cheeks were flushed, the fire we’d shared causing a single bead of perspiration.
With a smug look replacing one of intense desire, he allowed me to back away, but not before swiping the tip of his finger through the bead of sweat. Why was it that everything about him was sexy as hell, including how he rolled the drop between his fingers?
All while never blinking.
But he was smiling as if he’d won a round with me.
In the different light, he seemed almost familiar, but not in a way that would indicate I’d met him before or had even seen him on the street in my present or former life.
It was the sense that I’d known men like him, wildly dangerous to a treacherous level.
Completely devoid of a conscience, their only concept regarding morality decidedly black.
The thought alone should drive me away from him, keeping me behind locked doors until he decided to leave town; not leave me finding him even more intriguing than before or wanting nothing more than to slide a little into his pitch-black world.
I stood my ground, lifting my head and rolling the tip of my finger around my mouth. “Not bad,” I said, almost in passing. “Now you can run along.”
His laugh was low and throaty, a deep rumble that sent shockwaves through me as the sound reverberated in the dense space.
“Oh, wow,” Bekka said from behind me.
“What were you trying to tell me, Bekka?” I asked, never taking my eyes off him.
“That um… That Zoe. You remember, Zoe? Anyway, she’s riding the bull. There’s a bet going on.”
“I’ll be right there.”
When she didn’t budge right away, I slowly twisted my head so I could see her out of the corner of my eye. Fortunately, she got the message, backing away with continued uncertainty, even bumping into the edge of the counter. Now befuddled, she finally managed to claw her way out the door.
Now we were the only two people in the overheated room once again.
“You’re an insufferable bastard.” My words seemed hollow, without any ounce of conviction.
And he knew it.
“Yes, I am.”
“Why are you here?”
“To recuperate.” He even pointed to his bum leg.
“From being shot by someone wanting to kill you. Imagine that. You being such a nice guy and all.” While I did feel bad for him, every time I moved, I was reminded of the round of discipline. Unwanted and undeserved, I might add.
“Exactly.” Was the man testing me? Was it possible he was telling me the truth? Somehow, I knew he was. A cold shiver trickled down my spine. Whatever was going on with his life, I wanted none of it.
Why did that add to his attractiveness? It was crazy. “Who’s trying to kill you?”
As amusement created a ring of fire in his eyes, he laughed. “Some very bad men.”
Why was I nodding? In acceptance? Or because I wasn’t certain where I was going with this conversation? “Does that make you a bad man as well?”
“Yes, it does.” He dared walk closer and I took a purposeful step away. He wasn’t daunted, taking another step. Closer. So close that I was close to being intoxicated by his scent.
“Should I be afraid of you?”
He cocked his head while scrubbing his jaw. Was he actually debating the answer? “Yes, in truth you should.”
A few seconds ticked by and he didn’t continue crowding my space. He was giving me a choice.
It felt as if a clock was ticking down.
“Well then. That’s good to know. Thank you. Enjoy your night.” I turned around, throwing open the door before I changed my mind.
When I walked out, the stench of stale beer managed to cloud the lingering effects of his aftershave.
Another irritating moment.
I walked stiffly toward where the crowd had gathered, trying to focus and even smile when my thoughts and unwanted desires lingered with the man who’d ravaged my mouth.
I could still taste him and as I dragged the tip of my tongue across my bottom lip, I realized the tender tissue was already slightly swollen.
“What was that?” Bekka asked, as breathless as I felt.
“A mistake.” Another shift and even the way my nipples scraped across the material of my dress was enough to remind me for the umpteenth time that against all odds, I was attracted to him.
“That’s not what it looked like.”
“Yeah, well, looks can be deceiving.” Someone bumped into me during their cheer, egging Zoe on. I continued to have difficulty focusing and blinking wasn’t helping in the least.
As I tried to concentrate on Zoe’s performance, I continually found myself glancing over my shoulder toward the bathroom. Either he’d walked out or was hiding in the shadows.
Watching me.
Stalking me.
The thought was delicious.
“Woo hoo!” Bekka pumped her fist as Zoe was swung around in one circle after another like a rag doll.
I was barely paying any attention, in a slight fog as I rubbed the tips of my fingers across a collection of goosebumps.
The air became a steam bath as a crackle of electricity shifted all the way down my spine.
There was no need to turn around. The sweeping sense of untamed hunger was the only clue I needed to confirm Montgomery was standing right behind me, close enough I could feel his hot breath tickling the back of my neck.
He wasn’t touching me, certainly not creating any pressure. He was merely remaining close in another act of possession.
When Zoe was tossed off the bull and into the waiting arms of a couple of local guys, I took the opportunity to face him. His deep, unwavering stare was even more captivating, a predator claiming its prey.
Arousal moved hot and slow as it coursed through my veins.
“Would you like to get out of here?” He was whispering now, the husky drawl providing a hint of an accent. There was no malice to his question, no promise of danger, only passion.
The answer was easier than I’d expected. “Yes.”