Page 23 of Violent Hearts

"You can keep telling yourself this doesn't mean anything, little girl, but that's not how this is going to work. Everything that happens between us will mean something – to both you and to me – whether you like to admit it or not. No matter what you decide about my offer, you'll leave this place a changed woman. It doesn't matter whether we ever see each other again or not - I won't leave you untouched, because that's not how I operate."

She narrows her eyes, and the expression could be described as nothing short of furious. I just don't know whether she's mad at me or at herself. It's probably a little bit of both.

"Do you understand?"

"Am I not allowed to a-"

"Do you understand?!" I hiss.

She bites her lower lip, and I can tell that this restraint is killing her. Not being allowed to speak and ask questions is probably harder for her to do than obeying any other single command.

Yet she’s determined to prove herself to me. She inhales deeply before gathering herself enough to follow my very first and most important rule.

"Yes… Sir."

The tone of her voice is low, but firm and tenacious, and her expression matches it. It's this kind of angry determination that will likely make her the most voracious fuck I've ever had. She's burning with a deep-seated fiery passion that’s fueled by her conflicting inner struggle accompanying all of this.

I can't wait to taste her, to really taste her, and make her mine.

Not today, though. I can't have all of her today. I shouldn't. She'll taste so much better if I break her bit by bit, bite by bite.

"Today is a test run," I tell her offhandedly.

I lean in closer and claim her with another kiss. My hand instinctively wanders to the back of her neck, holding her tight to me as our tongues intertwine. This kiss is different. It lacks the desperate hunger, instead speaking of patience and a restrained desire that comes from the knowledge that I will have her, all of her, soon enough. She hasn't officially said yes or signed a contract yet, but the fact that she's still here, with her breathing still rampantly professing that she can barely wait to sit on my cock. She’s trying so hard to please me, even though it goes against everything she prides herself in - all of that is enough for me to know that she will say yes. She will be mine. I've never been more confident.

She's greedy already. Her hands wander up to my waist, and I’m certain she’s unaware of the soft moans she’s emitting during our lingering, passionate kiss. Without thinking, she reaches for the waistband of my suit pants. Finding the belt, her fingers eagerly travel to the center of my body, where she starts fiddling with the buckle.

Greedy little thing.

I interrupt our kiss and reach for her wrists, clasping her hands in place with an iron grip. I shift them away from my belt buckle, forcing them back to the sides of her body.

She casts me a quizzical look, and I shake my head no.

"You're not allowed to touch me, unless I command you."

Her eyebrows furrow into a suspicious grimace.

"Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir."

She speaks the words, but her reply is laced with questions.

It almost angers me that she's not accustomed to a man who can wait, a man who doesn't devour her body at the first opportunity. The way she looks at me proves she's never known patience, and she's never practiced restraint herself.

That’s all about to change. There will be a lot of firsts for her today.

She stands in place when I let go of her wrists and put some distance between us by taking two steps back. I cross my arms in front of my chest and jut my chin out.

"Strip."

Little Miss Porter flinches as if I'd just hit her, and her eyes widen in shock. She awkwardly steps from one foot to the other, shifting and hugging herself before she turns around to face the panoramic windows behind her. The sun is setting later these days, so it's still a bit light out, but darkness is not far off. I haven't turned on any lights since we got here; the dim lighting provides a far better view of the cityscape below us and less chance of anyone seeing inside my living room. My penthouse is so far up that it’s unlikely anyone would see us even if they were to lift their eyes and seek us out, but it’s still obvious that she is worried about it.

So cute.

I repeat my command. "Strip."

She turns back to face me, and even with the gloomy lighting, I can see her cheeks flushed with heat. It’s followed by a flash of insecurity, and then she quickly recovers and the furious frown returns.

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