Why did he have such a profound effect on me?

  “Tell me about the tattoos.”

  He lifted his eyebrows, taking another swallow. “The rose is for my mother,” he said with reverence in his voice as he turned his arm over, fisting his hand so the red ink would be pronounced. “Her favorite flower.”

  “That’s lovely.”

  “The dagger is for the brotherhood of my family and my heritage.” He turned his arm over, even extending it so I could see the sharp details.

  “As Bratva.”

  “Yes. Something I am proud of.”

  “You call it a brotherhood.”

  “It is. We value family, honor, and respect more than anything.” He smirked slightly and flexed his hand. “This is my family’s crest.”

  “What does it mean?”

  “Honor among thieves.” When I laughed, he smiled and it was another simple act that could light up a room.

  I don’t know what prompted me, but I inched closer, brushing the tips of my fingers down his neck. “What about these? Symbols?”

  “Look more closely, Fallon, and free your mind.”

  The heat between us was suffocating, but neither one of us attempted to move away from the other as I traced the lines as I’d been longing to do. Suddenly, I realized what I was looking at. “A dragon.”

  His face lit up again as if he’d asked dozens of people the same question and they’d failed. “You are correct. A personal symbol.”

  “For chaos, evil, or fertility?”

  I was honored with a wider smile. “A little of all three.”

  “The ink is gorgeous and the dragon and the meaning suit you.”

  When I started to pull my hand away, he grabbed my wrist. While he was a little forceful, I wasn’t worried about what he would do. Never blinking, he pulled my fingers to his lips, rolling them across my knuckles.

  Tingles floated throughout my stomach, slowly drifting down both legs. His look remained dark and almost ominous, yet I was more excited than I’d been in so long that the flutters of butterflies in my stomach were a welcome change.

  He pressed kisses against my skin before peeling my finger from being curled with his lip, pulling my pinky into his mouth.

  His explosively hot mouth.

  I could tell my breath was skipping, the heart sounds thudding in my ears. How could this be even more intimate than a kiss? As his long eyelashes skimmed across his cheeks, I allowed myself to be mesmerized. The light breeze tickled my skin and the moment was just perfect.

  If there could be such a thing with a man I should consider a dangerous stranger. Yet I felt safer around him than I had in a very long time.

  He popped my pinky from his mouth, immediately moving to my index finger. With his eyes half closed, he pulled the long digit deep in his mouth. My legs started to shake as my entire body swayed.

  I had no idea how much time had passed, but it seemed as if everything had gone still. No sounds of the ocean or of night creatures in the tropical trees. Just the two of us.

  And Bella suddenly snoring.

  I couldn’t help but smile, feeling embarrassed at doing so. If he was troubled by my reaction, he wasn’t showing it.

  Hot and wet all over, I shifted from foot to foot. The damp clothes were suddenly clinging in the increasing heat. Soon, I wouldn’t be able to breathe.

  Perhaps the man was psychic, but he removed my finger, grabbing both our glasses and placing them on the table with a hard thud.

  Then I was suddenly in his arms, the man creating his version of a lifeline when he fisted my hair at the scalp and dragged me against his perfect body. Without asking, he simply claimed my lips as he’d done before.

  Only this time, he was even more aggressive, immediately thrusting his tongue inside. The combination of vodka and the strawberry was incredible. I placed my hand on his chest, immediately rewarded with a low-slung growl that vibrated through every muscle.

  The way he took control over me was far too enticing. I suddenly found myself on my toes, brushing the flat of my hand up and down his muscular chest. I would enjoy exploring his body for hours, but I had a feeling if I was allowed, that would come later.

  He had other things in mind.

  As the kiss turned into a passionate roar, I arched my back. Maybe I was doing nothing more than giving him permission and that was fine by me. I wanted nothing more than for him to ravage my body.

  Vissarian slowly rolled the slender strap of my dress down my arm, taking the time to brush the rough pads of his fingers up and down, concentrating on my shoulder. His tongue dominated mine, the sweet dance as he consumed my mouth reeking of desperate need while the electricity burned brightly.

  I was lost in the moment, not realizing that he’d exchanged one hand for the other, his fingers now wrapped around the back of my neck. Did he honestly think I would try to get away? Not a chance. The thought was nothing like what was typical of me, but why not? I was a very long way from my new home or my past.

  The moment of intimacy became even rougher. When he rolled the other strap down my arm, I shuddered the moment he tugged on the material.

  Within seconds, he’d pulled my dress to the deck. Now I was standing in only a lacy thong and nothing else.

  He rubbed his hand up and down my back, creating even more tingles that covered every inch of my body. I had no idea I could be so wet, but the scent of my desire floated between us, carried by the light breeze.

  As he wrapped his hand around my long strands of hair, yanking back my head, I was finally able to moan. The scattered sound brought a laugh from his throat, the sound so deep I should call it evil.

  I closed my eyes, planting both hands on his chest as he took his time dragging his tongue from one side of my jaw to the other.

  Trembling, I forced the spell to be broken enough so I could tickle him with my nails before reaching for the belt buckle. Before I tried to unfasten it, I ran my fingers along the thick grain, the leather still damp.

  He nipped my lower lip, pulling it into his mouth before gently pushing me away. He was even more dominating than before, wagging his finger back and forth slowly as he allowed his gaze to fall to my bare feet and back. “Tonight, you will do as I say.”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  His nostrils flared, his chest puffing up and I realized as if for the first time how tall he was. At least six foot four and all muscle. The man could have been a linebacker except he was even better looking. Yes, he’d be all the rage on the cover of romance novels.

  “Oh, yes. Every. Single. Thing.”

  “And if I don’t?”

  He crowded my space, issuing a single crack against my behind. “Then you’ll receive more than just a spanking, which is exactly what you need. Now, be a good girl and take your medicine.”

  With another smack of his palm, I shuddered to my core.

  After the horror of dealing with Antonio, the rational side of me shouldn’t want anything to do with such a dominating man. Yet the bad girl, the one who’d been reading about and craving a take charge kind of man, I was thrilled.

  And maybe, just maybe, I would end up pushing his buttons to see what would happen.

  CHAPTER 12

  Fallon

  My mama had fallen hard for a dominating man.

  I should remember what happened and how when I’d been away serving my country, she’d suffered. She’d lied about how happy she was in letters and Zoom calls, but I’d caught the bruises. I’d seen the look of increasing fear in her eyes.

  The woman inside of me should continue reminding myself powerful men should be kept at arm’s length.

  Yet with the second crack of his hand against my naked bottom, I leaned into him instead of trying to run away.

  As if I’d get very far.

  The way he was looking at me was exactly as if the man planned on devouring me. He rubbed his hand down my arm, cocking his handsome head as he slipped his fingers under the elastic, running his finger back and forth. He was teasing me, keeping my pussy clenching from anticipation.

  With a single finger on his other hand, he swirled the tip around my already aching nipple while his chest rose and fell several times. “One fucking gorgeous woman. The things I want to do with you… correction,” he pinched and twisted my nipple, his face lighting up when I moaned, “the things I will do to you. But remember,” he half whispered, this time jamming his other hand between my legs, “you will do everything I say.”

  When I tried again to unfasten his belt, he grinned in such a way that I could tell he was hoping I’d disobey him. He arched a single eyebrow before driving a hole through the lace of my thong.

  “What are you doing?” I asked, half laughing.

  “A little reminder.” He shifted one hand to my other breast, tormenting my hardened bud while fingering my clit through the hole.

  “You owe me a very expensive pair of panties.”

  “I think I can afford a pair or two.”

  “Maybe I’ll demand more.”

  “Maybe you need to see what demanding anything from a man like me will get you. Or I should say, cost you.” Maybe I’d anticipated what he was going to do, but still, the moment he tossed me over the edge of the railing, I took a deep breath, enjoying the way my body reacted with shivers and the hard thud of my heart.

  When he brought his hand down against my bottom, I rose onto my toes, my hold on the railing almost white knuckled. The sensations were incredible. “Yes, a very hard spanking is necessary to keep you in line.”

  Almost instantly I was titillated, not only from his actions, but also from the thought.

  Only life wasn’t a fantasy where men were powerful alphas who always came to the rescue of the women they adored.

  Another two cracks of his palm and my pussy started to throb more than before. I was lightheaded, ignoring the tiny nagging voice in the back of my mind that I really shouldn’t be doing this.

  He brought his hand down again, even flexing his fingers open when he did so. I could feel my buttocks jiggling from the hard smack. His breath was as labored as mine and he repeated the action, now providing four in a row.

  The pain was real, but so was the intense throbbing in my core.

  Every crack of his hand was harder than the one before, jarring my entire system. I could feel the heat building as specks of light floated in front of my eyes.

  “Tell me. Have you always been a very bad girl?”

  “Who, me? I’m the pillar of perfection.” I licked my lips, still tingling all over.

  “Don’t fool yourself as you’re not doing so with me.”

  “Just wait.”

  Every time he laughed, I shivered and he cracked his hand down in a perfect rhythm, one right after the other. The sweep of agony gave way to wetness between my legs, which was a clear indication I’d craved what he was doing. Maybe that alone made me a very bad girl.

  He smacked both cheeks a few more times before jamming his hand between my legs. “So very wet for me, my captain.”

  “I like when you say that. It gives me authority.”

  “In your mind, my little animal lover. Only in your mind.”

  When he pulled me into his arms, shifting his hips back and forth, I immediately reached for his thighs, holding him solidly against me. His cock pressed into my buttocks, the intense throbbing creating another wave of hunger even more significant than before.

  With his fingers clasping my hips, he pulled me backward, spinning me around and dumping me into a huge wicker chair. I had no idea what he had planned until he dropped to his knees, immediately tugging on my thong.

  Without being asked, I lifted my buttocks, unable to take my eyes off him as he fully disrobed me. There was something so naughty about being naked in front of him, the light just enough I could see every wanton expression on his face.

  Which had to be the same as mine.

  With the corners of his upper lip turned, he rubbed his hands along the insides of my legs before lifting both, bending my knees and placing them on the wicker arms of the chair. After a hard jerk, my butt was halfway off the edge.

  He shook his head slowly, repeating rubbing the insides of my thighs, the touch so light that goosebumps formed. I suddenly felt extremely vulnerable since he was still half dressed, but I had the distinct feeling he wasn’t going to allow me to go anywhere.

  When he took a deep breath, I groaned. His blatant actions were more than slightly embarrassing.

  “Your pussy is as beautiful as you are. I can’t wait to feast.”

  “What about the food?” I teased.

  He blew across my wetness as an answer.

  I gripped the edge of the chair a split second before he lowered his head. The first swirl of his tongue dragged me straight into a place where fantasies were created. He was incredible, his tongue drifting back and forth across my pussy.

  With my eyes closed, I leaned back against the cushions, trying to keep from moving. I even pointed my toes as if that was some protocol. That prompted me to bite back a laugh. His breath scalded my skin but with every swipe of his tongue, I was falling hopelessly into a place of pleasure few women were ever gifted.

  Because so few men believed it necessary to learn a woman’s body.

  This man did.

  He took his time, swirling his tongue around my clit while rolling a finger up and down the length of my pussy. The combination kept my entire body tingling.

  Every growl and soft murmur was lost in the moment. He could spout off the Declaration of Independence and I’d still be swept up in the throes of rapture.

  Vissarian drove two fingers inside, my muscles instantly clamping around them, pulling them in even deeper. When he added a third while sucking on my clit, I jerked up from the chair.

  “Holy fuck.” I’d never been known to hold back my feelings, the loud exclamation filtering far enough away I was certain other guests likely heard us. Whatever. I lolled my head to the side as he finger-fucked me, creating so much sensitivity that my body jerked.

  There was pressure and sexual tension, so much so I couldn’t catch my breath. He knew exactly how to drive me crazy, keeping me right on the sweet edge of nirvana. I jerked up, shaking all over as the first orgasm swept through me.

  I expected him to continue licking, allowing me to come down from the beautiful high, but he had other things in mind. Removing his fingers from my tight channel, he smacked them against my pussy.

  “What?” I knew the single word had to have been said in a bellow.

  He chuckled even more darkly and repeated the action.

  I fell back against the chair, panting when he provided sweet relief, once again sucking on my clit. I raked my hand through his hair, marveling at how soft the thick strands were.

  My toes were still pointed as he thrust four fingers inside. Within seconds, lights flashed in front of my eyes as the raw heat and pleasure forced a wave of ecstasy through me.

  “Yes. Yes. Yes.” I was smacking my hand on the arm of the chair, no longer able to focus.

  When I finally started to come down from the intense high, he sat back, taking his time to drag his tongue around the edge of his lips.

  “Utter perfection. Has anyone ever told you that you taste like sweet peaches?”

  Why was it that the statement made heat rush across my face all over again? “Never.”

  “V mire yest’ muzhchiny, kotoryye ne zasluzhivayut takoy potryasayushchey krasoty na svoyey ruke.”

  “You can’t leave a girl hanging. What did you say?” I remained breathless, completely incapable of thinking clearly, but hearing him speaking Russian was as if velvet had been swept over my body.

  “I said there are men in the world who do not deserve such a stunning beauty on their arm.”

  “As I told you before, flattery will get you nowhere.”

  “And what do you believe will?” As he stood, I lifted my head, but didn’t bother moving. As strange as it sounded even to me, I was very comfortable.

  He decided to give me a show, taking his time unfastening his belt. Perhaps he was tormenting me on purpose, another reminder that as he’d said, I wasn’t in control and would need to obey him. The thought was still strangely delicious.

  I lifted my head, trying to concentrate on what he was doing, but as he shifted his hips back and forth, he was making it very difficult. Yes, I’d had the luxury and joy of seeing him completely naked, but that had been different.

  Right now, I could simply reach out and touch him if that’s what I wanted. The thought was empowering.

  Maybe I was just in a playful mood since it was so easy to do around him, but my answer, albeit truthful, caught me off guard. “Hot sex.”

  He stopped short just after he unzipped, bursting into the kind of laughter that was so genuine I found myself tingling all over again. He had that kind of effect on me.

  Not just because of his sizzling good looks or his dominating prowess, but because he had the ability to express light and dark almost at the same time.

  He said nothing as he tugged his trousers over his carved hips, guiding the material to the floor. He was wearing boxers. I had to admit that before him I’d preferred men in briefs, but he made the whole thin cotton look too sexy.

  When he was completely undressed, he planted one hand on the arm of the chair followed by the other five seconds later. Very slowly he lowered down as I lifted my head. I could smell myself on him and it was strangely inviting, so much so I darted out my tongue, licking across the seam of his mouth.

  I could easily spend hours doing nothing more than kissing him.

  But I had to admit the excitement continued to build and I was unable to focus on anything but having his cock buried deep inside.

  “Hot sex? Does that mean you need my dick thrust deep inside of you?”

  I rubbed the flat of my hand down his chest, teasing him as he’d done with me by rolling just the tip of my pinky across his sensitive slit. I’d be damned if pre-cum didn’t ooze across his cockhead. Unable to help myself, I rolled my finger through the glistening beads, bringing my finger to my mouth.

  Vissarian had a wry smile on his face, watching me quite intently.