Page 56 of The Amendment

“With…with a knife.” She panted. “Please, Peter…”

“Good girl.” I rewarded her, slipping my fingers back in place. “Did he beg you to stop?”

She bit her bottom lip, shaking her head.

“No? Say it. Tell me.”

“No.” Her voice was breathless. I removed my hand, much to her disapproval. “Don’t stop…”

Heat shot through me like lightning as I pulled away from her and slid her pants down her legs, each inch of skin exposed met with a kiss. I tossed them across the woods, far from us. I wanted to see all of her.

It was what Jim had wanted.

What everyone wanted when they saw her.

But she was only mine.

Forever.

I kneeled in front of her, taking in the sight of her innocent eyes watching me. Waiting. Wondering what I was going to do. “Did he know it was coming?”

“No,” she said, gripping my hair with both hands, trying to force me toward her. I stayed strong.

I was stronger than her, and I wanted to remind her of that. I let her continue to try, though, hardly wavering in place, even with the pain as she pulled my hair harder. I could feel nothing but desire at that moment.

Nothing but want.

“No?”

“I caught him by surprise,” she said breathlessly.

“How did he look? After you’d done it?” I asked, grabbing her hands from the top of my head and pushing them against the tree. “Scared?”

“Terrified.” She bit her lip again, and I leaned forward, giving in and pressing my mouth exactly where she wanted it. To the place that belonged only to me.

She cried out and I stood, unable to control myself any longer. I grabbed her, spinning her around and shoving her body into the tree. She was shaking, pressing up on her toes as I unhooked my pants and entered her from behind, white-hot pleasure ricocheting through me.

She cried out again, and I covered her mouth with my hand, wanting her quieter and louder at the same time. I pressed my face to her hair, breathing in her scent as we moved together, perfectly in sync.

It was funny.

Once, I’d thought I could only feel this way when ending a life, but here it was with her…that inexplicable feeling I’d spent my life chasing. I couldn’t put my finger on exactly what it was.

I felt…

Free.

Awake.

Alive.

Yes, maybe that was it.

I’d never… Never felt so alive.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

AINSLEY

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