I swear I intend to push him away, afraid someone will recognize us, but instead, my hands grip his shirt and I pull him closer. It’s like I’m kissing him for the first time and I can’t get enough.

Like I’m dying and he’s bringing me back to life.

It feels like forever when he finally rips his mouth away from mine, both of us panting heavily, even though it’s only been a few seconds.

As I become aware of my surroundings, I notice my bag on the ground and I have no clue when it fell from my arm. My cheeks heat with embarrassment when I feel random the people’s eyes on us and I scold myself for losing control.

It’s all his damn fault.

He caught me off guard and once his taste hit my tongue, I was done for.

As I bend down to pick my back up, I glare at his smug face, which is still watching me ravenously. “You can’t kiss me like that in public, Riaan.”

I look around for signs of Monica since I told her last week I’ll be back for the new semester and breathe in relief when I don’t see her. My skin tingles when Riaan grabs my waist and turns us around. He backs me against his car and covers me with his body until all I see and feel is him. I have to tilt my head back to maintain his possessive gaze.

“I’ll kiss you whenever and however I want, Nyra,” he darkly says. “And I don’t give a fuck who sees. In fact, every time you fight or push me away, I’ll make sure to kiss your sweet mouth in public so you know who you belong to.”

“So this is your way of staking your claim?” I taunt.

“I don’t need to stake my claim when I already know your heart beats for me, baby. I kissed you because I wanted to. I kissed you because I missed the taste of you, and the soft surrender of your body. And the way your eyes beg me for more every time I bite your lip, knowing you crave it too. You are just too stubborn to ask for it.”

There goes my heart and soul again, melting for him while my panties become soaked under his hooded gaze.

“You’re enjoying our war too much, aren’t you?” The words just fall from my lips.

His face darkens as the beast that lurks beneath, comes to the edge and stares at me like I’m his next meal. It’s the same part of him that likes it when I goad him.

The one I shouldn’t push too much and should be scared of, yet I couldn’t help but be drawn to.

I don’t know why Riaan’s keeping it locked and hasn’t let it come out to play. I’ve always craved that part of him too much and seeing it before me, I want to unleash it.

“What if you lose, hmm?” I taunt innocently, ignoring all the rational voices inside me.

Slowly, Riaan leans his elbows on the roof of his car on either side of me. Bringing his lips inches from mine, he warns, “Don’t push me, my little liar. Not unless you’re ready to handle the beast that you’re so desperate to play with. Two months is a long fucking time to deny me the feel of your delicate little body. So when I do take you, and I will very soon, you will be under my mercy. My cock won’t be satisfied with just your cunt. I’m going to fuck your virgin ass too. I won’t stop until I’ve claimed and filled all your holes with my cum. It’s going to hurt but you’ll take me like my good little fuck toy, won’t you?”

“Yes,” I whisper, hypnotized by his sensually dark voice.

“And you’ll only cum when I let you?” he coaxes.

“Yes.”

“Good girl.” His praise washes over me.

Satisfied, he backs away slowly and when I look behind, I panic at seeing Monica, who is yet to see us. With a curse, I hiss at Riaan, “You need to leave.”

Calm and broody as ever, he follows my gaze and turns to face me with a smirk. Crossing his arms, he demands, “Tell me you’re mine.”

“What?” I snap at him. “No, I’m not going to say it.”

“Okay. Then I guess I’ll stay here and say hi to your friend and you can explain your flushed cheeks and your swollen lips to her,” he says, still standing too close.

“Please, Riaan,” I plead.

“Say you’re mine.”

I look in Monica’s direction and see her getting closer while someone else has her attention. Fucking hell! Meeting Riaan’s gaze, I say the words that makes my heart beat faster, “I’m yours. Happy now?”

“Next time, don’t make me wait or I’ll kiss you in front of her,” he threatens and steps back. I see the smile in his eyes after I admitted what he wants to hear the most.