Page 17 of Beautiful Sinner

“God. You’re horrible.”

“So you’ve said. How old are you?”

“I don’t have to tell you.”

He cocked his head, taking his time to lift my chin with a single finger. “I take it you’re underage. Do your parents know you’re out partying?”

“If you call this partying, then you have a warped mind. I’m almost twenty-one. How old are you?”

“Old enough to know not to get myself in this kind of situation. Did the jackass bring you here?”

There was no way I could lie. “Yes.”

“Then I’m taking you home and I won’t take no for an answer.”

CHAPTER5

Sevastian

Heat.

Passion.

Desire.

I’d felt the heat of rage at seeing what the bastard had done. Then my freaking desire for the girl had become overwhelming. I was no savior. Who the hell did I think I was kidding?

She gazed at me with her lavender eyes, searching mine as if she was attempting to figure out if I had a soul. The answer would be easy for her to find. I’d lost that years ago. She was unapologetic in her caustic words, the kitten turning into a lion. I was fascinated by the dichotomy of her personality, yet there was a vulnerability to her that struck me as odd.

The air of royalty spun around her like a golden web, although the strands were far too brittle. She could break easily, succumbing to the darkness I’d seen flash in her soul-stealing eyes. She’d truly believed she had the capability of fighting off a predator like Reggie, but her false pride would lead her into harm’s way. Why this woman pulled at me was unknown, but I couldn’t confuse sullied attraction with what I’d come here to do. She’d interrupted my work, as if a siren, calling to me from across the room.

I sensed only a hint of fear, which surprised me. She had no issue spewing venom from her glossy lips when she believed she had the upper hand, but her actions had been careless. She’d been mauled by a worthless bastard then spanked and almost fucked by a stranger. That should make her weepy, begging me for forgiveness, but she wasn’t like anything I’d imagined when I’d noticed her gaze only moments before. She was strong, resilient. However, I also sensed she had an attitude based on her upbringing.

Prima donna.

But it was more than just being born into a wealthy family, provided with expensive clothes, toys, the finest education, and servants waiting on her hand and foot. She was true royalty yet refused to acknowledge her heritage. That intrigued me when it shouldn’t.

The last thing I’d needed tonight was to be saddled with a girl who thought she was special, but I hadn’t been able to stand by and watch the worthless prick assault her. I was one bad man, but raping girls wasn’t acceptable on any terms. I knew Reginald’s kind. He was the type of pampered kid whose daddy had a lot of money and who thought he could get away with anything.

Maybe he’d learned his lesson.

Nah.

I’d only stunted his growth. He’d try it again.

Whatever the case, the taste of her had been perfection, like sweet melons on a hot summer day. While my behavior would be considered deplorable as she dreamt about me during long, lonely nights, I hadn’t been able to resist grabbing a single taste. I’d never lost even this much control before, which troubled me. She’d sparked the darkness I’d shoved deep inside, bringing the ugliness of my needs to the light. However, she was far too vulnerable to taint with my sadistic desires.

Even though it remained tempting.

I studied the girl standing in front of me, wearing defiance on her face as if the knife she’d brought with her would protect her against evil men like Reginald. Or me for that matter. While I was impressed the only item she’d brought into the party was a weapon, I had a feeling she’d feel compelled to use it on me at a later time. Additional complications I didn’t need.

Something about her had stirred the darkness inside, pushing me onto a ledge that I’d rarely if ever gone on. I was a man of unspeakable evil, but with this girl, I’d wanted to do nothing but protect her.

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she stated, as if she had a choice. I admired a woman with spunk, but I was losing patience with her petulant behavior. The sexy, defiant look on her face was a huge turn-on, my cock remaining hard, throbbing. She was beautiful, her long dark curly hair framing the kind of face sculptors turned into priceless art. And her skin was shimmering in the ugly lighting, her eyes the color of irises blooming in the spring. I could get lost in them as I fucked her.

That wasn’t going to happen, even if her pouting pink lips called to me. There was something slightly fragile about her, as if her life had broken a small part of her, preventing her from accepting the desires I’d felt by holding her in my arms. The kiss had been a powerful representation of the odd connection we shared, and I continued to want more. I wanted to push her limits, commanding her obedience as I ravaged her body. The way she’d felt in my arms had stirred the beast inside, and in my mind, I willed her to yield to me, submitting to my filthy needs.

I was a fool if I thought anything good could come from taking her. Hell, I could have any woman I wanted by giving them a single nod. I had more money than I could use in a lifetime, power that was unequaled, but no woman had ever caused this kind of reaction.

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