Page 87 of Queen of Spades

“It is.” I stop at the entrance and place Annika on her feet.

The walkways are lined in some type of synthetic grass. It’s not painful to walk on barefoot. I know because I tried earlier to ensure this wouldn’t be a miserable experience.

She spins around, studying the eight-foot hedge walls. “Okay, this is actually really freaking cool. Are we going to take a moonlit walk for our first courting date?”

A low growl rattles in my chest. “Not exactly. How do you feel about being hunted?”

“What?” She turns back to me. “You want to chase me?” Her pupils are huge, round saucers, but it’s the way her nipples tighten through the fabric of the thin dress that gives her away. Or maybe it’s the way her chest heaves as she sucks in rapid pants of air.

“Are you interested?”

Her waves are a little frizzy, likely from rolling around in the nest all day. They bounce around her shoulders as she gives a clipped nod. “Yeah, it’s always been one of my fantasies.”

“Just a fantasy?” My head tilts, and I’m not sure I won’t snap and pin her to the ground to spank her tight ass if she says the wrong thing.

“Grady has chased me around my apartment, and we’ve dabbled in CNC, but nothing like this.”

“Safe word is red, but understand that, if you consent, I’m going to spank your ass before I fuck you into the fake grass.” I step forward, yanking her to my chest with my hands on her hips. “Do you get how rural it is out here, princess? No matter how loud you scream or beg me to stop, no one is coming to save you.”

“Unless I say red,” she repeats, wrapping her arms around my back.

“Correct. Would you like to participate?”

“Uh, yeah.” She nods against my T-shirt. “Absolutely.”

“Take as long as you need to think. It’s important you list what’s off-limits.” I move a hand to her chin and tilt her face up. “Anything you want taken off the table. Now is the time.”

“Hmm.” She blinks up at me, but her eyes seem far away.

It’s a good thing she’s taking my words seriously and thinking the situation through. At the same time, the longer my anticipation grows, the hazier my mind gets.

Fucking alpha fog.

It’s dangerous for both of us if I’m not in complete control. I’ve got more than a foot in height on her and probably eighty pounds of pure muscle. I could hurt her if I don’t keep my instincts on a short leash.

“No closed-fist punches—open hand is fine anywhere but my face. Absolutely no fucking my ass without lube. My slick will work in an emergency, but don’t dry fuck my ass, or we will have problems.” She gives me a serious look when I chuckle.

“None of that is my style, anyway,” I assure her, wondering what the hell she and Grady normally get up to.

“Perfect. I always forget not everyone is a sadist. Likewise, no ass to mouth and absolutely no going from my ass to my pussy without a shower first to clean up. Drawing a little blood is fine, but I don’t want any scars.” She squints, patting my back. “Yeah, I think that about covers it.”

“Got it. I’m going to give you a one-minute head start.” I bend low, brushing my lips over hers as my hand teases up the back of her dress. “The middle of the maze has an old shed with a water pump. If you didn’t like the spider at the hotel, I highly suggest you not use it to hide in.”

She groans, deepening the kiss as her soft tits press into my muscular chest.

I pull back, and it makes my heart soar that she pouts, stamping her foot like she wasn’t done with me yet.

I get very close to her throat and growl, “Run, princess. And know that, when I catch you, you’re all fucking mine. I intend to use your tight little body as I see fit, and trust me when I say it’s been a long fucking three years.”

Her brow furrows as she squints, but I didn’t mean to admit that I haven’t been with anyone since we met.

“Run, Sparrow!” I bark.

She squeaks, jolting and ripping out of my hold to take off toward the entrance. I catch sight of her as she takes the first left turn, which might be cheating, but there is no safe zone.

One way or another, this little adventure ends with her speared on my cock.

I pace back and forth across the entrance to the maze. Time is moving exceptionally fucking slowly. My eyesight adjusts to the disappearing light like I’m a cat, but I’m going to thank the adrenaline coursing through my system for that.

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