Page 54 of Beautiful Cruelty

"I want topossessyou completely. To mark every inch of your soft skin with my mouth, my lips, my teeth, and my hands."

Her chest rises and falls faster now, the emerald silk shifting enticingly across her curves as defiant words die in her throat.

My hand slides along the back of her chair. "I want to take my time exploring you. I want to learn what makes you gasp and what makes you whimper. Those little sounds you try to hold back? I want them all."

She doesn't look away. Instead, she meets my gaze with that familiar defiant fire that drew me to her from the start.

But I catch the slight tremor in her fingers.

She wants to believe she's in control, when control is the last thing she has right now.

"I want to have you spread out beneath me, begging me to claim you. And when I finally do..." I lean down, my lips brushing her ear. “I want to make sure you never forget who you belong to."

She tries to maintain her composure, "You think I'll be that easy?" Her voice wavers.

"No." My fingers trail along her shoulder. "You'll fight it at first. But that's what I'm counting on. But in the end, you'll be the one asking—no,begging—for more."

Her breath quickens. "I don't beg. Remember?"

My hand cups her chin and feel her pulse racing from my touch. "Would you like to put that to the test?"

My thumb traces over her lower lip, and she parts them slightly. The tip of her tongue darts out, teasing against my skin. Heat rushes through me.

But something feels off.

This is too easy.

"What game are you playing?" I ask. "You're being deliberately provocative."

"Am I?" She tilts her head, eyes dancing with mischief as her tongue traces those tempting lips again. "Maybe I just want to see if the big bad bratva boss can handle a little teasing."

"Pakhan," I correct her. "Not boss."

"Pakhan," she repeats the word, tracing her tongue over the sound slowly as if it's something sweet. She shifts in her chair,the emerald silk riding higher up her thigh. "Well, my pakhan? Am I wrong?"

Sheisbaiting me. And like a moth drawn to the flame, I rise to the challenge.

Even as something dark uncoils inside of me.

Something I’ve tried to keep suppressed for all these years.

Something that I’ve been running from.

"Careful." My voice comes out as a growl.

"Or what?" She leans forward, giving me a perfect view down her dress. "You'll do all those things you say you want to do to me?"

“Yes.”

"Then do it.” Her eyes flash with challenge. "Unless you're afraid?"

My control snaps. I grab her arm and yank her to her feet. She gasps—part surprise, part excitement—as she stumbles against my chest. The darkness unfurls with a savage satisfaction, and it urges me forward.

"Is this what you wanted?" I demand.

Her only response is a smirk.

I pin her wrists behind her back with one hand. Her skin burns hot against my palm. "I should throw you over my knee for this insolence."

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