Page 96 of Séance

I want everything.

“If we do this…” I swallow hard, unable to force the words out. I shake my head, done with the distance between us. Stepping toward her, I invade her space, only able to breathe again when I inhale her smoky scent. I slip my hand around her neck and drag her closer, my thumb brushing over the fast cadence of her pulse—a reassurance that she’s alive and well.

I crowd even closer, not caring if I’m intimidating her. My voice is a rough growl when I manage to speak again. “Nothing happens without us. I swear if you don’t obey me, I’ll toss you over my knee and spank you. Understand?”

Rue’s eyes widen to saucers, and her throat moves as she swallows hard. I’m not sure when my hand slipped around her throat or when I pinned her to the wall. Violence has always been a living, breathing thing inside me. I should be horrified, but something in my brain short-circuited.

Something about seeing her pinned beneath me, knowing that I’m in control of her, has my dick so hard that pre-cum leaks from it. I rest my other hand on the door next to her head, then lean down until the only air she can breathe is mine. “We will discuss how we will proceed tomorrow, after we have a chance to look over the journals and make sure it’s safe.”

My thumb caresses her pounding pulse, the throb nearly matching the one in my dick. I push my hand up her neck until she has no choice but to look right at me. “Understand?”

The weight of the word is heavy in the room, and I narrow my eyes on her pouty lips, waiting for her to speak the only word I will accept.

She licks her bottom lip, never taking her attention off me, then she murmurs the only word I want to hear from her sweet lips. “Yes.”

I hesitate a moment longer, not wanting to let her go, only ceding when she presses her hand once more over my heart, right where it belongs. “I promise.”

It takes a conscious effort to release her and step back, but I don’t go far.

Because of my size, I’m usually extra careful around women, my movements slow and gentle so I don’t freak them out. I’m always in control, holding back for fear of accidentally hurting them.

That’s not possible with Rue.

She makes me feel too much, not allowing me to hold anything back.

I should be terrified, but it’s mixed with a strange sort of exhilaration as well. I love seeing my hands on her, knowing that she is mine to do with what I want.

James is hovering at our sides like some strange ghoul. His eyes are hard as he watches us—watches me—ready to drag me away if she’s in the least bit of danger.

He would never allow anything to happen to her.

I should be pissed, but I’m grateful for his caution.

It allows me a freedom that I’ve never had before.

The adrenaline rush is addicting, almost the same as stepping into a ring, knowing I’m going to annihilate my opponent, only this is infinitely better.

When a wicked smile crosses the fucker’s lips, it’s like an invitation to smash his face in before he can speak. Just as I grab for Jameson, he dances out of reach.

“Now that was hot.” His smirk is both taunting and playful.

A heavy sigh sounds behind us, and I’m not sure if it’s from Ellis or Jace.

“What?” James protests, looking at each of the guys in complete bafflement, then he huffs and rolls his eyes. “Like you assholes weren’t thinking the same thing.”

He’s not wrong.

I can never go back to looking at Rue without seeing my hand around her throat and wanting that again. Though slightly terrified by my visceral reaction to her, I’m not the least bit surprised.

Rue is mine.

I’m not releasing my claim on her.

If the others want her, then they are going to have to learn how to share.

Chapter Thirty-one

HICKS

---