Chapter 43 #2
“Oh, my God, you’re such a–” I broke off, not sure what to compare him to and moved to one of the chairs. Grumbling incoherent words, I sat. He brought a fork to my lips, and I clenched my jaw, shaking my head, not caring that whatever he intended to feed me smelled so divine.
“Open, little fox, or I’ll open it for you.” His voice lowered to that dark, sinful tone he’d used on me last night before he made me fall apart under him. I shuddered and his smile said he noticed.
“I can feed myself.”
“But I like watching your lips open for me.”
Heat curled low in my belly and against every shred of pride, my lips parted.
He fed me, slowly, way too sensual for a man like him.
Another bite and all my senses prickled, making me too aware of everything.
The kiss of his fingers against my skin, the heat of his gaze burning through me, the scent of his cologne playing havoc with my nose, the whisper of his soft breathing in my ear and the way my body leaned toward him.
Through it all, the soft eggs dressed in a confused mix of flavors tasted so good, I had to force myself not to compliment him.
His thumb stroked the corner of my mouth. “Good girl.”
A tremor shot through me, ignoring it, I glared at him. “Don’t call me that.”
“Then stop earning it.” He leaned closer. “You’re much sweeter when you let yourself want me.”
“I don’t,” I lied.
“Yes, you do.” He fed me another bite.
“I hate you,” I hissed after swallowing.
“Mm,” he hummed, dragging a knuckle down my throat. “You kept screaming my name last night, so clearly there’s something appealing about me.”
Flustered, I shoved his hand away. “Why do you call me little fox?”
He smiled, not the usual smirk but an actual curve of the lips that made me respond with one of my own. “A fox is intelligent, crafty and swift. A master of deception.” He touched my nose. “Just like you.”
“Master of deception?” I laughed. “Who did I deceive?”
“You have that face, one that says I have secrets, secrets that will either kill you or make you fall in love with me.” There was an undisguised sincerity to his words.
I panicked for a moment, wondering if he knew my sister was a killer of mafia men, though if he had, surely he would’ve said something by now.
Something heavy brushed against my leg and I looked down. Horrified, I shot up, my back hitting Remo’s chest as my eyes connected with his huge dog.
His arms wrapped around me, chin resting on my shoulder, Remo chuckled. “He likes you.” As if he agreed, the dog nudged my thigh with his head. “He wants you to rub his head. Like you did last night.”
Cautious, I reached out and gently ran a hand over his head. Panting, the dog pushed his head into my hand until I scratched behind his ears. The second I did, he sat down, leaning into me. Behind me, the other beast tilted his hips, letting my ass feel his hard on.
“Seriously? I’m scared your dog might eat me and that makes you horny?” I squirmed, trying to get out of his hold.
“My head wants a rub too.” He chuckled and I bit my lip to keep from smiling before he swung me around sharply, forcing my hands to seek purchase on his chest. “You’ve made an impression on my dog.”
“Maybe he has good taste,” I sassed, my eyes meeting his.
“Just like his owner.” Hands on my waist, he tightened his grip, urging me closer.
His skin was hot, his body hard and unyielding against mine.
I squirmed to no avail. “Don’t,” he growled, slipping a hand into my hair and guided my mouth to his.
Our lips met, slow, deliberate, all memory and defiance.
“You taste better in the morning,” he murmured. “Ruined. Sore. Mine.”
“I’m not yours.”
“You’re trying so hard to pretend you don’t want me,” he said quietly. “But your body remembers everything, it will always remember me, little fox.” That voice. Low, dangerous, full of dark promises that made my thighs press together.
Duke shoved his enormous head between us, breaking the heated moment.
“The fuck,” Remo cursed while I tried not to smile. He glared at his pet. “Traitor.”
“Maybe he’s saving me,” I muttered, scratching the animal’s head.
“No, little fox.” Remo’s fingers slid through my hair, his grip pure possession. “If he were, he’d drag you away from me.”
“Why?”
“Because.” He leaned forward, his mouth finding that exact spot he’d marked last night. “I’m not done fucking you.” He sucked on my neck and my knees wobbled, my hands gripping his arms. “And I’m not nearly as patient as I should be.”
Not to be outdone, Duke barked, sharp and demanding and shoved his head between us again. I laughed despite myself and as if he’d just heard an alien sound, Remo froze. It was my undoing. His eyes darkened, not with anger but something deeper. Hotter. More dangerous.
“Eat then come upstairs,” he said abruptly. “You’ll need the strength.”
“For what?”
His sinful gaze held mine, his smile pure, unfettered arrogance. “For trying to resist me.”
My stomach dipped. Duke barked and Remo sighed like he might murder his own dog. I couldn’t stop the traitorous smile tugging at my lips, suddenly loving the animal. Remo saw that too, and his brow shot up before he turned and left the kitchen.
Duke sat there looking at me for a moment and I leaned down to rub his snout. “You’re so beautiful, just like him,” I whispered the last words. The animal whined as if he agreed.
“Come, Duke,” Remo called out from somewhere. The dog seemed to hesitate for just a second, his gaze bouncing between the door and me as if he wanted to stay.
“Go, boy,” I said softly before he turned and trotted away him, nails tapping the tiles.
As soon as they disappeared down the hall, I made a beeline for the door.
With no actual plan in mind, I checked it, surprised he hadn’t locked it.
Maybe he was reckless, or arrogant, or probably assumed I wouldn’t dare run.
I wrapped my fingers around the polished handle and slowly eased the door open, conscious he might have guards on the other side.
A breath of fresh air kissed my skin. I stepped out, one foot landing on the warm stone. One second, I tasted freedom, the next, a hand closed around my waist. I didn’t even hear him, didn’t sense him. He was suddenly just there; a wall of heat pressed against my back.
“I was gone sixty seconds, little fox,” Remo murmured, his voice a silk-wrapped blade in my ear. “How far do think you would’ve gone?” He nipped my ear then sucked on the flesh.
My pulse stuttered. “Let me go.”
He laughed, a soft menacing sound that crawled up my spine before he spun me and pinned me to the wall with nothing but his body, hips locking mine in place, his hands caging my face without touching my skin. His eyes were wild, not angry but much worse.
Thrilled.
“You like being chased, don’t you?”
“No.”
His smile sharpened. “You want me to hunt you.”
“I don’t—”
“You tried to run,” he said, voice thick with dangerous delight. “So I get to catch you.”
He dragged a hand through my damp hair, tugging back enough to steal a gasp from my throat. His jaw clenched at the sound and he dipped his head, sinking his teeth into my shoulder until he drew blood. I cried out, trying to ignore the way my pussy muscles spasmed.
“And I’ll have you begging me to fuck you every single time,” he growled, licking the wound.
I winced, clenching my fists. “You made me bleed. Again.”
“I like the taste of your blood. So fucking sweet.” He chuckled, tracing the bite mark with his tongue.
“It’s going to scar,” I hissed.
“Perfect.” His lips skimmed my cheek. “I like to mark things that belong to me.”
Before I could respond, he bent and swept me into his arms as if I weighed nothing. Not waiting for my response, he carried me with ease, one arm under my thighs, one under my back.
I grabbed his shoulders automatically, more out of instinct than desire yet the moment my fingers curled against his skin, he exhaled through his teeth.
“Careful,” he warned. “Touching me equates consent in my world.”
“Put me down.”
“No.” He carried me through the hallway, ignoring my struggle, the pace of his breath tight, controlled, effortless.
Upstairs, he entered the bedroom and headed for the bathroom, nudging the door with his foot. He stepped inside and put me down on my feet, his warm body pressing my back against the cool tiles.
“You should be fucked hard for your disobedience.” He braced his hands on either side of my head.
“I’ll run every time,” I retaliated.
“Good.” He leaned away and the shower roared to life. “Then I get to catch you every time and fuck you like the first time. Hard, raw and fucking perfection.” He smirked, reaching for the hem of my shirt.
“Don’t–” I caught his wrist, not sure what I was trying to prove.
He leaned in, eyes dark and hungry. “Don’t what? Touch you? Take you? Remind you why you couldn’t look me in the eye at breakfast?”
A shiver ripped through me. “Enough,” I squeaked instead of the demand I intended.
“Such bravery, but you’re trembling.” The tip of his tongue played with that lip ring. “What scares you more? The knowledge you hate me or want me?”
Annoyed, I squeezed my eyes shut and felt his fingers drift up my arms, a lover’s caress. As if.
“Say you want me and I’ll let you go.”
My eyes flew open, glaring at him. “Do you get a kick out of playing with people?”
“No.” He winked. “Just you.” I rolled my eyes and he chuckled. “If you don’t say it, it means you want to stay here. With me.”
“Oh my God, that’s…that’s…I give up,” I groaned, exasperated.
“Inside,” he commanded. I hesitated. His gaze dared me. When I didn’t move fast enough, his hand wrapped around my throat. “Ishika,” a drug-induced whisper. My knees nearly buckled.
I stepped inside.