Page 25 of Hers to Control

I run my hands over her arms and ribs, then her belly, carefully avoiding the darkening spot where blood is pooling under her skin. Her arms are reddened where one of the guys held onto her, but I see no other marks.

“Turn around,” I order, and, for once, she obeys without hesitation.

Mia

I should fight him off, but I don’t. I meant to grab one of the knives on the counter, ready to stab him in the neck with it. It’s the only reason I let him lift me up on this counter in the first place. Only then I caught the way Eric’s eyes darkened when he looked at me. Not in a sexy, but murderous way. That’s when I realized how bruised I was.

Now, his hands on my skin take my mind away from the racing thoughts I’ve been fighting all day. I need to know if there are any other injuries I didn’t notice.

For Peanut’s sake.

I have no recollection of taking a hit strong enough to form the bruise that is now showing above my hip bone. My best guess is, I got it when I jumped the second guy. Before I kicked his knee and he went down, he tried to fight me off. The adrenaline probably masked the pain, and I haven’t exactly been in a state to take physical inventory until now.

Lying face down on the kitchen island has my flight instinct on high alert, but Eric’s hands are gentle as he checks me over. In fact, the stroking of his fingers over my body feels nice, and if that’s not fucked up, I don’t know what is.

I haven’t been touched like this in a long time. Even when we fucked at the safe house, it didn’t involve any gentle caresses. It was raw passion then. This feels like I’m being taken care of. Of course, I’m not stupid enough to buy into that feeling, but just for a moment, it’s nice to pretend. And what can really happen that hasn’t happened already? I’m pregnant already, so it’s not as if things can get any more complicated right now.

His hands trace the contours of my body. I suppress a shiver as his fingers glide over my sensitive skin.

“Turn back around,” he orders, and without a second thought, I comply because seeing his face is safer. Reminding myself who I’m with is safer. Safer than pretending that a man like Eric could ever have a gentle side.

When Eric’s hands move lower to open the button of my jeans, I don’t stop him. My life is a shit-show. I might as well do the same thing I did at the safe house. Use Eric as a distraction.

His lips press together when his eyes catch on my bruise, and I try to ignore the fact that he is a dangerous man. Someonewho has killed. I don’t want to think about that now. I want something else.

An escape.

“What are you waiting for?” I ask. I need more distractions and less time to think.

Eric throws me an unreadable look but doesn’t say a word. Instead, he pulls my zipper down and takes off my pants.

He finds another bruise on my upper thigh, but that one is smaller. Still, the way his expression freezes has me questioning my sanity for not grabbing one of those kitchen knives right now. His look is that of a killer, and here I am, ready to let him fuck me into oblivion because I want to escape my reality for a little while.

Real sane.

I push his hand aside, which is gently tracing the outline of my bruise. Sitting up, I ignore his glowering.

“Are we doing this or not?”

He shakes his head but doesn’t retreat, so I lean into him and press my mouth over his.

It’s supposed to be a kiss, but my breasts press against his shirt, making this a lot more than a mere distraction.

I don’t just want this anymore. I need it.

A growl sounds from him, and suddenly he yanks me to the edge of the kitchen island. My skin stings from being dragged over the surface, but I dismiss it. Only another hurt that doesn’t matter right now.

“You were so fucking hot today.” Eric’s voice is gravelly, but filled with the same kind of lust I’m experiencing.

Good. That’s all this is about. Lust and distraction. Nothing more.

I meet him halfway as he leans in to kiss me again and our lips smash together almost painfully. I need that pain, need it to keep me in the present.

I bite down on his lower lip, pulling him toward me, because I’m sure as hell not letting him dictate how this is going down.

Except, his hands grab my ass and lift me off the counter.

His muscles bunch under his shirt and I’m not beyond drooling a little. If nothing else, the man has looks, and the way my pussy now rubs against his middle through the thin fabric of my panties isn’t hurting either.

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