Page 43 of Beautiful Cruelty

My world explodes in a burst of pain. The smell of wet earth fills my nostrils. And it is suddenly followed by the scent of Vadim's cologne—spicy and masculine. I roll over onto my back just in time to see him looming over me like the grim reaper come to collect his due.

I kick out wildly, aiming for any part of him I can reach. Fresh pain stabs through my ankle as my foot connects with him and I can't help crying out.

His hand wraps around my ankle, fingers pressing into the tender flesh. I try to jerk away but he holds firm, the pressure making me wince.

"Let go!"

Instead of releasing me, he uses his grip to keep my leg still while he shifts forward. In one fluid motion, he captures both my wrists in his other hand, stretching them above my head. The weight of his body presses me deeper into the damp ground.

I'm trapped. Completely at his mercy. One leg caught in his grasp, the other splayed helplessly to the side. His hips settle between my thighs and?—

Oh!

Heat floods my cheeks as awareness crashes over me. The hard planes of his chest are pressed against mine. His fingers flex around my wrists. The intoxicating scent of his cologne mixes with the scent of trees and damp soil.

My body betrays me, responding to his proximity in ways that make me want to scream in frustration. My heart pounds so hard I'm sure he can feel it. Every point of contact sends another current of electricity coursing through me.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block out the inappropriate thoughts racing through my mind. But that only makes it worse – now all I can focus on is the sensation of him against me, solid and male and dangerous.

"Look at me," he commands, voice rough as he presses his hips close to mine.

A shiver runs through me at the command in his voice, at the dark promise in his tone. And without further resistance, my eyes open.

God help me. Iwantto obey.

He smiles savagely and pushes forward until I canfeelhim pulsing against my center through the fabric of our pants. And soon, I feel my own body betraying me as a familiar wet heat starts to pool between my legs. My body is reacting to his proximity entirely on its own, and I hate myself for it.

"Please…" I stammer, my voice coming out higher than I expected.

"Please?" The smile on his face widens as he looks down at me in satisfaction. "I thought you didn't beg."

"Iwasn'tbegging!" I snap, finding my voice again. The words come out stronger than I feel. I twist against his iron grip, arching my back to try and throw him off.

Bad idea.

The movement only brings our bodies closer together, and makes me more aware of every hard muscle pressed against me. His thigh presses against mine, and his massive cock pulses between us. Heat floods my face as a small sound escapes my throat.

Not quite a gasp, not quite a moan.

His eyes darken at the sound. The storm clouds in his gaze swirl with something primal. Something hungry.

"No?" His voice drops lower, rougher. "We'll see about that."

Before I can respond, his mouth crashes down on mine. The kiss is brutal and possessive. His tongue sweeps past my lips, claiming me and demanding more.

Recklessly, I respond.

My body melts into his touch like it was made for him. My lips part wider, inviting him deeper.

I can't move my hands under his iron-hard grip. I can't push him away even if I want to. And with one leg still in his other hand, I can't even pull him closer. All I can do is feel—feel the way his body covers mine, the way his tongue strokes against mine, the way his hips grind against me, making promises my traitorous body desperately wants him to keep.

A whimper tumbles from my throat and he swallows it before it ever makes it to my lips.

I melt against him, my fingers curling helplessly above my head. His weight crushes me closer as if he can't get enough. As if he needs this kiss as desperately as I do.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

This man kidnapped me. Is forcing me to marry him. Literally has me pinned on the ground in a forest where he can do whatever he wants to me! I should be fighting this, fightinghim. Instead, I'm kissing him back like my life depends on it, like he's oxygen and I'm drowning.

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