Page 148 of Taming Seraphine

The only sounds left when he turns off the engine are the hiss of airbags and my ragged breaths. His gaze bores into me with an intensity that makes my heart flip and my fingers release the seat belt.

Now, I’m wondering about this punishment.

Leroi shoves down his airbag, his nostrils flaring, his black eyes burning so hot that my skin tingles from the reflected heat. I haven’t seen him this angry, not even when I got blood all over his apartment and he slapped my sandwich out of my hands.

Prickles skitter down my spine and settle between my legs, making my core clench. It’s a strange mix of anticipation and fear that makes me wonder if I pushed him too far.

“Do you remember your safe words?” he asks, his voice cold.

“Yes, why?” I ask.

He pushes down my airbag, filling my vision with a puff of powder. “Because this punishment is going to hurt.”

The pulse between my legs throbs in time to the beat of my pounding heart. I don’t know if I’m scared or aroused, but I know I’m ready.

Before he can make his move, I grab for the car handle and swing open the door. “You’ll have to catch me first.”

“Seraphine,” Leroi growls.

I bolt into the trees, my heart thudding in my ears. Leroi curses and yells at me to come back, but I don’t even bother to spare him a glance.

Shrubs and tree trunks blur as I race further away from the road, making sure not to run a straight path. Leroi will probably waste time locking his car before giving chase, so I have to take advantage of this opening.

“You have a count of five before I catch you,” he roars from the direction of the road. “One.”

Every inch of my skin skitters with excited tingles, and my nostrils fill with the mingled scents of pine and damp earth. I can’t remember the last time I ran through the woods, but the feel of branches brushing my arms and twigs snapping underfoot is exhilarating.

“Two.”

Brambles tug at my clothes, but I keep running. Leroi’s voice grows fainter and fainter until all I can hear is the pounding of my heart and the roar of blood between my ears.

“Three.”

My heart soars. I have never felt so free.

“Four.” There’s so much distance between us that I’m sure it’s my imagination. Even when I think I hear him say five.

I like Leroi. A lot. He’s the only man who makes me feel safe and warm and protected. He’s the only one who looks beyond the surface and sees who I am and doesn’t recoil or attack. I like the way his veins bulge when he’s agitated and the way he makes my toes curl with his kisses. I like his temper, his possessiveness, and his intensity. I even like his punishments.

The canopy thickens, letting in dappled sunlight. Up ahead, I catch glimpses of a tall brick wall covered in ivy. I run away from it, not wanting to get too close to the estate.

Movement in the corner of my eye makes my heart flip. It’s Leroi, charging through the trees like the terminator.

With a squeal, I pick up my pace, duck behind a tall shrub, and catch my foot on a creeping vine. I tumble forward and land on my hands and knees.

Shit.

Scrambling to my feet, I try to ignore Leroi’s footsteps thundering from behind, but every fine hair on the back of my neck stands alert.

He’s going to catch me.

This is the first time I’ve enjoyed feeling like prey.

I run faster, dodging low branches and leaping over fallen trunks. My heart pounds, my lungs burn, but the adrenaline pumping through my veins keeps my limbs light.

All those years of exercise machines in the basement have finally paid off. I’m outrunning Leroi.

Strong arms wrap around my waist and lift me off my feet. I scream, my legs cycling uselessly in the air.

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