Page 63 of Shattered Jewel

I flex my hand experimentally, feeling the ache resonate up to my shoulder, but it’s nothing compared to the relentless throbbing in my groin at her proximity.

As soon as she’s free, Elara darts away, putting distance between us. “If we’re going to find that flash drive together, we need some ground rules.”

The sight of a woman standing up to me feels alien, yet fascinating. I cock my head like a wolf being told about house rules.

“Rule number one,” she continues firmly, “no touching unless necessary.”

A semblance of a laugh escapes past my lips. She acts as if she’s got it all figured out.

“Rule number two?—”

I capture her and jerk her back into my chest, a startled gasp slipping past her lips.

“Let me go, Kaspian.” Elara’s voice is a strained whisper, threaded with resistance.

“What if I don’t want to?” I reply, cinching her tighter as I wind her arm behind her back and hold it there.

She lets out a soft whimper, free hand clenching against my shirt, and rather close to the wound at my shoulder. “You’re hurting me.”

I give a slow, deep laugh at her futile attempt to dissuade me. “Oh beastie, that only tells me you’re having fun.”

“If you think—” Her words cut off abruptly as my fingers dig into her waist.

“Shut up and strip.” My command is solid and hostile, leaving no room for negotiation.

The scent of my beastie now, sweet and tangy with her arousal, hits me like an ax head. So I bite at the hollow of her throat.

“Kaspian,” she chokes out, her voice barely above a wheeze.

I lift my gaze, relishing the way the golden hue of her eyes shines with unshed tears. The very same eyes that always manage to bewitch me somehow. “Something more you need to say?”

“I ... I don’t know what game you’re playing.” Her voice wavers.

I laugh, a deep, rolling sound that the cold brick walls can’t absorb.

“I don’t play games. I find them boring, because I always win,” I reply, releasing her waist with one hand and tracing the contour of her jawline with my fingertips. “But I always listen to my needs, and the ache in my cock demands more pressing attention than a USB drive. Needs only you can satisfy.”

“But … we need?—”

“I don’t believe in asking twice,” I remark casually.

“And I don’t like repeating the same answer over and over again, yet here we are. No.”

“Shh.” I cut her off with a swift, bone-crushing kiss. Tasting her for the millionth time only makes me want more, to consume every inch of her.

Elara’s breath is stifled against my lips, but her hands finally come up to grip my shirt. Nails dig into the fabric, eliciting approval from the chasms within my chest.

Without breaking contact, I back her into the desk and hoist her up onto its ancient surface, my shoulder singing with the extra weight, but I ignore its screams.

Mmm, she tastes deliciously spicy tonight, all fire and brimstone. A hellcat beneath my ministrations, pliant to its master.

Elara shucks her hoodie and peels off her T-shirt, sending her auburn hair flowing across my arms. I push her pillow-soft hair to the side, revealing her lacy black bra.

I savor the sight of it, every curve and dip of her body.

My breath stalls as I trace the edge of her bra, letting my fingers graze against her skin, feeling the heat radiating off her. She quivers under my touch and gasps softly.

“Don’t,” she whispers. “Please remember what’s important.”

---