Chapter 2
Iam an assassin. I was born into the profession.
There was no choice given, no question of what I preferred to do when I was growing up.
I am royalty. I am privileged. And I am my father’s son, expected to follow in his path as well as that of others, dominant men ruling the world with an iron fist. The consortium holds the most powerful countries in the palm of their hand, their plan to eradicate respected leaders and those who stand in their way on track.
I am merely one son, one heir to a throne consumed by evil, an indentured servant to the Dark Haven.
I am also the darkness, a hunted man. What no one knows is that I am lost, a weakness I can’t afford.
One day, I will find her. The one who will pull me into the light.
One day…
The words had haunted him for years, leaving the kind of sadness that could be career-ending. But not on this night.
Wrath had never felt so exhilarated in his life, although the fact he’d not only interfered with what had to be a shakedown but decided to take matters into his own hands could place his life in danger.
He had an assignment to finish and instead, he had a naked girl on his lap, her provocative and stunning body more powerful to him than the five hundred thousand dollar prize he was expecting.
As he wound his fingers around her silky strands of hair, leaning dangerously close to her voluptuous mouth, he counted all the reasons this was ridiculous.
The mark could get away.
His cover could be blown.
He could be arrested and spend the rest of his miserable life languishing in prison.
Or worse.
He could be eliminated by one of the eight men who comprised the Dark Haven for simple betrayal.
Right now, he didn’t care about any of them. He wanted her. He was determined to dominate her.
Ashley took several deep breaths, her eyes darting back and forth across his.
“We’re not finished yet, sweetheart. We’re just getting started.” He crushed his mouth over hers, inhaling the sweet essence of her feminine wiles as well as her expensive perfume. Everything about this woman was exotic, forbidden, and the fruit was too ripe and lush for him to resist.
Their chemistry was off the chain, electricity shooting through both of them.
He swept his tongue inside, tasting her, devouring her mouth.
Even as she struggled, pressing her palm against his chest, he knew she craved much more.
Everything about her body language screamed utter desire, the kind that would set the world on fire.
He was more alive than he’d ever been, his cock screaming for relief.
She moaned into the kiss, undulating in his lap to the point he could no longer focus or think of anything outside of taking her. The barbarian in him had risen to the surface, threatening to take over what little humanity he had left. She should be his enemy.
Instead, she was the ultimate prize.
He gathered her into his arms as he stood, moving slowly toward the bed. He might regret his actions in the morning, but for tonight, she belonged to him. As he eased her down, the passionate embrace continued, their tongues thrashing together, her moans turning into purrs as she clung to him.
Breaking the kiss, he nipped her lower lip, growling in a savage manner.
There was no need for discussion, only their respective carnal needs that required fulfilling.
He licked around her mouth then down to her neck, darting his tongue in swirling motions as she tilted her head toward the bed.
Inching further down, he licked around her nipple then peppered her skin with kisses as he returned to her neck, issuing a guttural sound.
As he unfastened the buttons on his shirt with a single hand, he whispered into her ear, just to make certain she was well aware the deal had yet to be finished.
“You’re mine, all mine, sweetheart. Take a deep breath because the beast is about to claim you.
” Easing back, he gazed down at her, the electricity shooting through him igniting embers embedded in every muscle and cell.
He was well aware she’d lied about her name, but at this point, who the hell cared?
She would never learn his real name either.
This wasn’t about romance, simply raw and unadulterated sex.
Ashley eased onto her hands, lifting and spreading her legs wide open as she lifted a single eyebrow.
Her gaze full of amusement, she gave him a heated once-over.
“I’m not your sweetheart. And what makes you think I’ll comply that easily?
” She blew him a kiss as she tossed her head from side to side.
Wrath tossed his shirt before kicking off his shoes then tapping his finger against his belt.
“Because you’re a born and bred submissive, just waiting for the right man to come along and claim you.
Plus, it’s obvious you have a penchant for danger.
” Chuckling, he could see the wheels of her mind turning, trying to find the correct retort.
“I do adore a dangerous man, but I usually prefer kicking his ass.”
Such a little minx. He allowed his French accent to flow in a soft-spoken, seductive manner.
All the years of education and intense training had given him options, including the use of eight different languages.
French seemed to suit her. He was more than curious to garner a look into her small purse but had the distinct feeling that she was hiding everything about her identity.
Maybe she was really just a high dollar card shark, employed by some rich socialite who craved the thrill of risk.
Funny how his instinct told him otherwise.
Ashley wasn’t the kind of woman who followed orders, at least in her profession. The rest was a matter of allowing the fragrant blossom to open naturally. Maybe they would even meet again. His blood pressure increased at the thought.
He gave her a commanding look, enjoying the slight blush and the flicker of her stunning long lashes. “Besides, you still have another round of punishment owed. I suggest you be a good little girl.”
In a flash she was off the bed, pressing her palms against his naked chest and pushing with just enough pressure he was forced to take a step backwards. “A good girl, huh? You obviously have no idea who I am. I’m very good at being very bad.”
Fisting her hair, he used enough pressure she hissed. “While I might not know everything about you yet, I can see right through to your soul, all the sinful little cravings that keep you awake at night.” He swatted her on the ass twice before giving her a daring look.
“Don’t tempt me to show you who’s boss,” she purred, her fingers digging into his chest. “I could hurt you badly.”
“Oh, really? Give it your best shot.” The challenge was almost too tasty.
“Mmm…” She inhaled, holding her breath for a few seconds as she narrowed her eyes. When she blew out, she allowed her hot breath to cascade across his face and neck, moving ever so slowly to his chest. After issuing a slight growl of her own, she mouthed his skin, darting her tongue in zigzags.
The instant her wet tongue sliced across his chest, he closed his eyes, a series of nasty visions enveloping his mind. She had no idea who she was fucking with.
She dragged her open mouth to his nipple, swirling her tongue around and around before biting down.
The pain was delicious, forcing his balls to swell. When she kneaded her fingers down his sides, he shuddered and resisted dragging her back to the bed. He certainly enjoyed the way she was trying to take control.
Sliding her tongue across his chest to his other nipple, she took her time sucking. She slowly dropped to her knees, all the while licking down the length of his chest. “I think you’ve met your match.”
How she’d managed to slip out of his grasp, he’d never know, but she was several yards away before he grabbed her by the wrist, yanking her backward and wrapping his arm around her neck.
He’d killed more than one lowlife with this technique.
She didn’t seem as surprised as he would have thought.
The girl had several secrets. He was becoming more intrigued by the minute.
Easing off the pressure, he licked along her jawbone. “Nice try.”
“Bastard!”
“You have no idea,” he whispered as he nuzzled into her neck, nipping at the base of her earlobe.
He walked them both toward the floor-to-ceiling glass doors, staring at their combined reflections.
“Imagine if every person on this street could see what we were doing. Would you like that?” When she hesitated, he slid his hand down to her breast, cupping and squeezing. “I think you would.”
Her breathing skipped as she clenched her hand around his arm but made no move to get away.
“I think you have a very dark side, one you’ve kept locked away for years.
Do your friends know you’re such a naughty girl, stealing for a living?
Do they have any idea that you enjoy fucking strangers?
” Wrath could see the spark in her eyes.
He’d managed to rip away a part of her covering, the thin mask she thought was oh-so solid. Now the question remained.
Who was this woman and why was she lying to him?
“And what about you? Do your friends know you enjoy dominating women?” she asked in a throaty voice.
“I have no friends.” He made certain his laugh was laced with a dark seduction as he pinched her nipple in a harsh manner. “Imagine what I could do to you with enough time.”
“You couldn’t handle me.” Her words were said through gritted teeth, but her eyes gave her away. She craved pain almost as much as pure bliss.
“You don’t know me very well,” he snarked, biting down on her earlobe once again. Releasing her, he took several steps backward, waiting to see how she’d react.
Ashley purred and placed one hand on the glass as she slid the tips of her fingers down her side then darted her head to give him a salacious look.