Page 18 of Power and Possession

I opened the door and pushed past Quincy, my senses already on edge. I barely made it a meter down the hall before my bare feet felt the soaked rug beneath me. The entire runner in the hallway was saturated, and water was flowing freely under the guest room door. I groaned, my annoyance tripled due to my headache. I watched as the water seeped down the stairs, pooling on the original wooden floors below.

I stopped in front of her room and unlocked the door. She stood near the bed, hands on her hips and a murderous look on her face.

From the corner of my eye, I watched as the water overflowed from the claw foot tub, as well as the porcelain sink. The entirety of the white carpet was steeped in water, and the second I moved into the room my feet sank in and water pooledup.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” My ears clogged as the blood rushed to my face.

She folded her arms in front of her chest, still wearing my t-shirt. Her hair was tousled, so I gathered she had slept for a bit before pulling her little stunt.

“I thought it would be obvious. I’m flooding your house.”

I made a move forward, so angry I could strike her. But she flinched and stepped back, and the motion was enough to make me stop.

“You can’t keep me locked in here. I’ll just find more ways to ruin your house. I’ll eventually escape.”

“Then I’ll just lock you back up in the basement,” I threatened. Her face paled before she squared her shoulders in resolve.

“You wouldn’t dare,” she accused, throwing her hair over her shoulder. Even in the dim light of the room it glistened, silky and smooth. Even pale, her face was full of light, and her brown eyes swam with something I couldn’t quite place. Amusement? It was as though she enjoyed this little game we played, this intricate chess match where we each moved our pieces forward, trying to dominate and win over each other. But she still possessed humanity, an inherent goodness in her, and my soul was black and tainted. And, try as she may, black would always win.

“I would dare. I’d lock you up and leave you there to rot.”

“Stop it,” she hissed through clenched teeth. “You want something from my father. How about we work together? You can free me, and I’ll find him.”

“You wouldn’t betray your father, and there’s absolutely no way I’m letting you go.” I raised an eyebrow, curious to see what her next move would be.

Ashlynn moved closer to me, a coy smile playing on her full lips. Stunned, I couldn’t take my eyes off of her as she swayed her hips seductively. When she was within an arm's length, she tilted her head, lowering her lashes and then looked up at me.

Damn.

I moved towards her, my body acting on instinct. But as I brought my head down to meet her mouth, her palm came against my cheek as she slapped me. Hard.

My face jerked slightly and then turned back. I could see the anger in her eyes, the passion radiating in every single thing she did. This woman did nothing half-assed, which both impressed and infuriated me.

We stared at each other, the chemistry thick and overwhelming.

I gave in and rushed her, fisting her hair possessively as her mouth melded against mine. I sucked on her bottom lip, pulling it into my mouth as she moaned and rubbed against me with her hips. My body awoke again, urging me to take what I had refused before, to take all of her until there was nothing left. That’s what I did, both in life and my work. I saw, I took, I conquered, and every single molecule in my body wanted to possess Ashlynn Phillips until there was nothing left but dust.

Chapter Thirteen

Ashlynn

His kiss was packed with so much passion that even my toes curled, and my eyes rolled back into my head. I kept them closed, feeling his lips brush roughly against mine. His hands moved from my hair to my waist, pulling me flush against him, his hand gently cupping my backside as his mouth explored mine. I let the passion settle, his desire covering me like the softest of silk. Steele maneuvered me until my knees hit the bed, and I fell backwards onto the pure white sheets. He ignored the soaked carpet around him as he pulled his shirt off, and my eyes eagerly drank in the plane of his chest. Every inch was perfect, as if he was carved out of marble by masterful hands.

His pants came off next, and I watched with bated breath as he pushed his sweats down, letting his cock free. I’d felt it against me, so I knew he was playing with a full deck of cards, but seeing it in person was enough to make me do a double-take.

He was long and thick, and well-manicured. He was so manly that I’d expected him to be a hairy mess, but he was tidy and clean, just like he kept his house. I didn’t know why I was surprised.

He watched me stare at his package, his eyes boring into mine as my breathing hitched in my throat. He snapped his fingers, nodding at my shirt.

I glared, not about to obey him like a dog. If he wanted that kind of response or obedience, he could go buy himself a hooker. From the looks of his residence, I knew he could afford it.

“Continue to disobey, Ashlynn,” he said, his voice husky. “I enjoy your refusal as much as your compliance.” His fingersgrabbed the hem of the borrowed shirt, and he found a breast underneath. He massaged it, slow and leisurely, like he had all night to feel me up.

I pulled the shirt over my head, and he dipped his head down, pulling my nipple into his mouth and rolling it around. I groaned, and he murmured his approval against my chest. I wrapped my arms around his neck, then moved them along his back, feeling the same scar patterns I felt before.

“What are these?”

Instead of answering, he lifted me in his arms and rearranged me on the bed. I lay back, shivering with both anticipation and nervousness. I wanted this to happen, but I was also fearful of the can of worms I’d be opening. Something told me that after I’d had Steele once, it wouldn’t satisfy me, and that I’d want him again and again.

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