Page 19 of Shattered Empire (Shattered World)

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He was holding himself back again.

The monster inside. The one that told him to take me and fuck me until he’d proven to me who owned me.

Him. Heart and soul.

It was foolish of me to give him so much when I doubted I would get a return on my investment. Sometimes that was just how life played its cards.

“Ava.” My name was a pained groan on his lips. His voice thick, eyes darkening as he stared into mine. Conflict danced across his stormy gray irises like clouds just before the rain.

I touched his lower lip with my thumb, surprised at how soft it was, so different from the pleasant roughness of his three-day scruff. Matthias didn’t wince or pull back as I gently caressed the split on his lower lip. He was a beast after a battle and wired from the adrenaline rushing through his system. But I didn’t care.

I wanted all of him.

He was watching me carefully. Looking for signs of unease or apprehension. He wouldn’t get any of that from me.

Lacing my hands behind his neck, I whispered my plea. “Just touch me, Matthias. Don’t think.”

I rested my ear against his defined chest and listened to the steady, dependable beat of his heart as I waited for him to make his move.

My patience was rewarded when he placed one hand on my hip so he was holding me, his fingers hesitant as he squeezed me tightly, his fingertips digging into my flesh, thumbs grazing the waistband of my pajama shorts. He pressed me forward, gently, as if he was afraid he would break me.

I wasn’t so easy to break.

I let the line of my body meet his, and even through his all-consuming warmth, a shiver bubbled down my spine, my nipples hard against the thin fabric of my silken top.

He wasn’t moving nearly fast enough for me. Finally, when I could no longer stand the anticipation and tension that wound tight around us, I leaned on the tips of my toes and brought his head down so I could press my lips against his.

Matthias growled low in his chest, the vibrations running straight to my already soaked core.

With a burning need and deep, unsatiated hunger, he devoured my mouth with his. Taking control.

“This isn’t going to be slow, Red.” His gravelly voice, low in my ear, hardened my nipples further until I was sure they would tear right through my silken top. “I’m going to fuck you, and you’re going to take it like the good girl you are.”

Breathless and wanting, all I could do was nod.

“Words,Krasnyy,” he warned.

“Yes,” I whispered breathily.

Desire pooled in his eyes. Oh, he liked that.

In mere seconds, he had me stripped of my flimsy pajamas. Hands on my waist, he twisted me, and my stomach hit the black glossed lacquer of our dresser. He forcefully bent me over the pristine wood, my chest coming down on its top, scattering the few trinkets decorating it.

His hand connected with my ass, and I let out a long, sultry moan.

“Yes, what?”

Biting my lower lip, I remained silent.

Another smack, and then another.

“Yes, what, Red?”

“Yes, sir.” I gasped when his hand came around to pinch my clit.

“Good girl.” I preened under his praise.

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