Page 41 of Depraved

“So what is this building anyway?” I looked around the bedroom. It was nice, I supposed, but unused and empty. It smelled like it’d been closed up for a while.

“It’s a safe house used by the feds. Used to be a bed and breakfast, but was repurposed years ago. But something tells me these fuckers are off books right now. We’re somewhere in Reno.”

As River took the cigarette back, stubbing it out on a dusty ashtray sitting on the nightstand, I caught sight of his hands. His knuckles were raw and split, dried blood crusted in the creases. Angry red marks circled his wrists where the handcuffs had bitten into his flesh.

My gaze traveled up his arms, taking in the myriad of scars both old and new that criss crossed his skin. River's presence seemed to fill up the small room, his darkness both comforting and slightly overwhelming in the enclosed space.

"River," I said softly, reaching out to touch his scarred hand. "Thank you. For what you did down there. For protecting me. It’s not your job, but thank you anyw?—"

Without warning, he moved with startling speed, pushing me back onto the bed. I gasped as my head hit the pillow, momentarily disoriented. River was suddenly looming over me, caging me. His muscled arms bracketed my head as he lowered himself, careful not to put his full weight on me.

My breath caught in my throat as River's face hovered inches from mine. I could see every scar, every line etched into his obscenely handsome features.

Instinctively, my thighs parted, allowing River to settle between them. The rough denim of his jeans scraped against my bare legs, a delicious friction that sent sparks of electricity dancing across my nerve endings.

“It became my job the moment I decided you were mine.” His hand cupped my cheek, calloused fingers surprisingly gentleagainst my skin. "I will obliterate anyone who ever attempts to harm you."

He leaned in closer, his breath hot against my ear. "I'll make them suffer in ways they can't even imagine. I'll break every bone in their bodies, one by one. I’ll bring you their heads as a trophy. I’ll burn it all fucking down before I let them touch you again."

My heart was pounding as I blinked at River. This man who was a ghost, a reaper, a savage. This man who didn’t want to be touched. Who tortured himself—punishment for things that were never his fault.

And I wanted him. So badly I ached for it.

"Stay perfectly still for me," River said, his voice a low rumble that I felt more than heard.

My stomach flipped as one hand trailed down my side, calloused fingers catching on the soft fabric of the oversized t-shirt. Goosebumps erupted in the wake of his touch as he traced lazy patterns on my skin. When he spoke, his voice was low and clipped, each word carefully controlled.

"When I saw their hands on you, something snapped inside me," he murmured, fingers ghosting along my ribs. "When it realized I was in love with you, I knew they were dead men."

My breath hitched and my eyes widened, but I forced myself to remain still as he'd commanded. His touch was feather-light as he continued to explore my body, fingertips tracing over my ribs, my belly, my hips. I fought to keep still, every muscle taut with the effort of not arching into his caress.

This was all him. He was in control of every movement. I knew he needed it. River would never allow himself to be at the mercy of another person again. I had every confidence that he’d been simplyallowingthem to hold him downstairs until the time was right. I didn’t think a thousand armies could hold him back.

He shifted, his hand moving to caress my jaw, his fingers tightening as he made me look right into his eye. He held me there, unable to move, or even think clearly. "I'm going to fuck you now, Layla, and you're going to stay perfectly still while I do it."

My stomach was doing backflips, and my pussy was already dripping wet. Every word out if his mouth made me burn. River's lips curved into a predatory smile that made my heart race. Slowly, deliberately, he pushed the t-shirt up, exposing my body inch by tantalizing inch. The cool air kissed my heated skin, making my nipples tighten into hard peaks.

River's gaze raked over me, hungry and possessive. His hand splayed across my stomach, fingers spanning nearly the entire width of my torso. The size difference between us had never been more apparent, and it sent a fresh wave of arousal flooding through me.

He lowered his head, lips brushing against my collarbone. "Remember," he breathed against my skin, "don't move."

I watched, breath catching in my throat, as River sat back on his knees between my spread thighs. With agonizing slowness, he grasped the back of his shirt and pulled it over his head. The fabric caught briefly on a thin silver necklace, the metal glinting in the dim light before settling against his broad chest. My eyes roamed hungrily over his exposed upper body, drinking in every detail.

Scars criss crossed his skin, some faded and silvery with age, others still pink and angry-looking. His hands moved to the waistband of his jeans, unbuttoning them with deliberate motions. The rasp of his zipper seemed too loud in the quiet room. He pushed the denim down just far enough to free his cock, and I couldn't hold back the low moan that escaped my lips at the sight of him.

His shaft was long and thick, flushed dark with arousal. But what made my pussy clench was the glint of metal piercing the head of his cock. A thick silver ring nestled just below the crown. Delicate lines of ink adorned the length of him, swirling patterns that matched the artwork on his arms.

Holy fuck, he was a dark god from the depths of hell itself.

I watched, transfixed, as River's large hand wrapped around his impressive length. He began to stroke himself slowly, his eye never leaving mine as he spoke. "You're the only woman who will ever touch this cock, Layla," he growled, his hand moving in long, languid pulls. "No one else. Just you."

I ached to reach out and replace his hand with my own, but I forced myself to remain still as he'd commanded.

"I belong to you now," River continued, "You own every fucking piece of me, and when this is all over, you and I are going to hunt down the rest of those child-loving motherfuckers and end them.”

His strokes became faster, more urgent. Pre-cum beaded at the tip of his cock, glistening in the dim light. The metal ring gleamed as it disappeared and reappeared with each movement of his hand.

Without warning, River released his cock and surged forward. His massive hands gripped my thighs, spreading them wider as he lowered his head between my legs. The first swipe of his tongue against my dripping pussy was almost enough to make me come.

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