Page 87 of Beautiful Beast

His words light me on fire. The thought of Erik truly claiming me is more of a turn on than I ever thought it could be.

And it does the trick.

With one more touch of his finger against my clit, my release comes.

I moan softly as I stare up at the ceiling, my body trembling and shaking.

“Look at me,” he murmurs.

I do as he says, and the look in Erik’s eyes is so intense and consuming, I could give in to him at this very moment. I consider it. Letting him take me to our bed. Letting him make me his.

And then he pulls his hand out of the water, and I’m brought back to reality.

“Think about all the pleasure you can experience if you just let yourself feel.”

“It’s not easy,” I say back.

“I know. You think of me as the villain, but Anya, you’re the only one standing in your way.”

“You speak like you’re not actually a villain.”

His laugh is tinged with darkness. “I know I’m not a good man. I’m not pretending to be. But I’m also not the monster I think you want me to be. If I were like your father and beat you, you could hate me. But I’m not your father, and you don’t know how to handle a man who isn’t him.”

“Don’t psychoanalyze me.” My tone is weak, though. There’s barely any fight left in me.

“I’m just stating what I see. If I’m wrong, then tell me.”

No words come out of me because … he’s not wrong.

Erik nods like he knows what I’m thinking; then, he stands up and heads for the door. “It doesn’t have to be a battle between us.”

“It’s a two-way street, Erik. If you want me to open to you, you have to let me in, too.”

His smile is strangely sad as he gives me one last look before leaving me alone. I don’t know what to make of it at all.

ERIK

With Dante closing in, I call a meeting of my men to the house to make sure they’re all on board.

Sergei arrives with Ivan, who’s in crutches.

“How are you doing?” I ask him.

Ivan gives me a distrustful look but, at the encouragement of Sergei, answers, “It’s better. It’ll heal cleanly. But I’m still not exactly fond of you right now, Erik. You threatened my daughter the last time we spoke. I’m not ok with that.”

“I need you on our side, Ivan. I’m sorry I said I would marry Elena off to a man of my choosing. That’s for you to decide. But I need you to not be angry with me. Dante is coming for us. Come, sit down in my office so you don’t have to stand on the crutches.”

Ivan lets out a loud groan as he takes a seat in front of my desk. Sergei remains standing, a pinched expression on his face as usual.

“Sergei told me Dante approached you at your charity event.”

“He did, which is dangerous. Dante thinks he has the power to approach me like that without consequences.”

“Have you dealt with those hitmen he hired?”

“Not yet. I don’t want to take the risk by drawing them to my home.”

Sergei’s eyes widen. “That’s a shock. The Erik I know is not afraid to take risks.”

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