Page 22 of Claim

The desire to own her, possess her pumped through my veins.

The thought of taking her to my home and tying her to my bed or using her to recreate the photo she’d enjoyed outside this room had my cock growing rock hard.

Warning bells blared in the back of my mind, bringing me back to reality.

I couldn’t get carried away. Once was enough. Never again.

She’d hooked me, but I refused to let it happen in return. I’d save her from me.

Sophia’s lashes fluttered open, and her onyx eyes peered up at me with a tinge of sleep lingering.

This was the moment to do it, end it, cut it off, and make it so she’d never want to see me again.

Her gaze heated, and my need for her hummed in my blood. She parted her lips a fraction, but it gave me wicked thoughts of gagging her with my cock and watching beautiful tears fall from her eyes.

Then her expression changed to weariness and uncertainty.

I fucking couldn’t do it. Not at this moment, with her so vulnerable and expecting a blow that would destroy her.

“Did you have a nice nap?” I brushed the hair from her forehead.

Tucking her feet under her, she pushed up to sit with one hand. The blanket slid down, exposing her perfect breasts and the faint red marks from the flogger.

My lust surged, and my dick stiffened into a thick hard rod, ready to fuck her raw.

“Yes,” she responded as a blush crept along her lightly tanned skin and up her cheeks. “What happens now?”

This woman, who understood fashion and the use of her body to gain the right reactions, hadn’t a clue how her shy awkwardness affected me.

I cupped her beautiful face, rubbing a thumb over her plump lower lip. “First, I need to know how you are doing.”

She turned her face away as the flush on her skin deepened, and the deep innocence of Sophia Morelli radiated out from her. The piece of her I refused to corrupt and break apart.

Tugging her chin back to face mine, I leaned toward her. “Why are you acting so shy now, Only Sophia? Haven’t I touched every part of you tonight?”

“You can call me Sophia. You already know I’m a Morelli.”

She’d quickly replaced her shyness with an edge of irritation when she said her last name, piquing my curiosity about which family member she clashed with the most.

Her father or mother.

Maybe both since she tended to scandalize the whole family based on what I knew about them.

Why had she let them believe the worst in her? And why the hell was she hanging out with all those assholes who would sell her story to the highest bidder in the first place?

The urge to protect her, keep her, shield her from the world nagged at me.

“Sophia, how are you feeling? Be honest.”

“Sore. Nothing serious.” She held my gaze. “I enjoyed it.”

“I know.” I smiled at her. “Are you still exploring, or can you admit your nature?”

A crease formed between her brows. “I’m not submissive.”

“Is that right?” I slid my palm down her throat, holding her firmly and giving her a light squeeze.

Immediately her pupils dilated, and her breaths grew unsteady. Her fingers wrapped around my forearms as she closed her eyes in blissful surrender. Goosebumps appeared on her skin, and she bit her lower lip.

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