Page 36 of Impure Vows

Before she can respond, I crush my lips against hers, claiming her in a deep, possessive kiss. She gasps, her hands instinctively gripping my shirt. The taste of her is intoxicating, a blend of fear and something sweeter. For a moment, the room fades away, and it's just the two of us, locked in this primal dance.

I pull back, my grip on her neck tightening slightly as I study her face, the fear and confusion dancing in her eyes. "You belong to me now," I say, my voice low and commanding, each word a deliberate claim. "Don’t forget that." I let the silence hang heavy between us, ensuring she understands the gravity of my words. "You'll never escape me," I add, my tone leaving no room for doubt.

She nods, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and something else—something she’s not ready to admit yet. Good. I want her to be conflicted, to struggle with her emotions. It makes the game that much more interesting.

Tony clears his throat, drawing my attention back to the table. "You plan on sharing the spoils, or are you just gonna sit there and make out all night?"

I chuckle, releasing Aliyah but keeping her close. "Jealous, Tony?" I keep my tone light, but there’s murder in my eyes when I look at him.

"Of you? Never," he scoffs, but there's a glint of envy in his eyes. He knows better than to push it, though. Everyone here does.

Aliyah pulls away the moment I release her, but the way her chest heaves tells a different story. Her breath comes in quick bursts, each one a stark reminder of the tension crackling between us. I catch the flicker of conflict in her eyes—one moment filled with fear, the next laced with something more intoxicating. It shoots straight to my cock, igniting a hunger that claws at my insides.

"Look at you," I say, a smirk tugging at my lips. "You act like you want to bolt, yet you linger. That’s interesting."

Her eyes narrow, and she shakes her head as if trying to dispel the heat I know she feels. "This is insane, Dante."

"Insane?" I echo, leaning closer. "Or maybe it's just the beginning of something you don’t quite understand yet."

She opens her mouth to retort, but no words come out. Instead, she fidgets, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her body language betraying her. The way she bites her lip, glancing at me and then looking away, ignites a primal urge deep within me. It’s a raw, almost feral need to close the distance between us, to claim her in every sense of the word.

19

ALIYAH

Iwake up, and the first thing I see is Dante's face, mere inches from mine. His eyes are closed, but even in sleep, there's an intensity to his expression that makes my heart race. I try to move quietly, but the slightest shift on the mattress causes his arm to tighten around me.

"Going somewhere?" His voice is a low murmur, but it sends shivers down my spine.

"No," I whisper, trying to keep my voice steady. "Just... stretching."

He opens his eyes, and they lock onto mine. There's that unhinged glint again, a mixture of danger and desire that leaves me both terrified and inexplicably drawn to him.

"Good," he says, his grip loosening but not releasing me entirely. "I like having you close."

I can't help the small huff of frustration that escapes me. "You don't have to keep reminding me," I snap, regretting it immediately.

His lips curve into a smirk. "But I enjoy it," he replies, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "I'll tell you every day until you get it. You are mine."

I look away, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. I should hate him. I do hate him. But then why does his touch make my skin tingle? Why do I find myself yearning for his approval, his attention?

"Dante," I start, hesitating. "Why me? Out of all the people you could've... chosen."

He chuckles, a dark sound that vibrates through his chest. "You're different. Intriguing. You have a fire in you, even if you don't see it."

"A fire?" I echo, incredulous. "I'm scared out of my mind half the time."

"Fear can be a powerful motivator," he says, tracing a finger down my arm. "It can drive you to do things you never thought possible."

I shiver under his touch, cursing my body's betrayal. "Is that what you want? To push me until I break?"

"No," he says, his voice softening just a fraction. "I want to see how far you'll go before you bend."

I stare at him, searching for any sign of humanity behind those dark eyes. "And what if I don't bend?"

His smile widens, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Then we'll find out together."

I close my eyes, trying to block out the conflicting emotions swirling inside me. Every touch, every word from him feels like a test, a game I’m not equipped to play. But beneath the fear, there's something else. A twisted, shameful part of me that craves his attention, that finds his dominance intoxicating.

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