“You are a beautiful angel.” The whispered words were ones from memory, ones said in a drunken Russian accent.

  I closed my eyes, willing the ugliness of my past away while my body reacted, my hand moving over his to stop his actions.

  He nudged my legs apart as he dragged his lips to my earlobe, nipping the tender flesh. “Don’t fight me, sweet angel. You are everything I’ve hoped to find and I’m exactly what you need.”

  “No, I… I can’t.”

  “But you already have.” As he crushed his mouth over mine, holding the stance as he wrapped his hand around the side of my neck, I felt helpless and tiny, my heart racing.

  The kiss was soft and gentle at first, a warm reminder that our connection wasn’t just about hard fucking but something so much deeper. He worked my lips with his, slowly opening and closing them as he caressed my skin.

  I arched my back as he crawled his hand between my legs, rubbing my cloth-covered mound. I was no longer shocked at just how wet he made me, my panties soaked from the hunger furrowing inside. I swept my arm around his neck, entangling my fingers in his thick mass of hair, savoring the silky feel. I darted my tongue inside, tasting remnants of some kind of liquor as I explored the dark recesses of his mouth.

  Christopher allowed me to take control, savoring the moment as he continued rubbing my pussy. I bucked against his hand, moaning into the kiss as I swiped my tongue back and forth. He swirled his thumb against my cheek in a rhythmic motion, his actions further fueling the building fire.

  I could smell his testosterone, could feel the tension riding his body. He was used to taking, consuming what he believed belonged to him. This was doing nothing more than challenging his control. Trust. He wants you to trust him.

  Every sensation was electrified, every heartbeat matching his. When he slipped his fingers under the thin elastic of my panties, I broke the kiss, taking several gasping breaths.

  “You’re wet for me, your panties soaked.”

  “Yes,” I managed, my breathing all over the place. A series of slight moans slipped up from my throat, my nipples aching to the point of soreness.

  “Does that feel good?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  He rubbed his lips from one side of my face to the other, once again crushing his mouth over mine. Only this time, he took full control, dominating the kiss as he’d always done before. He was greedy with my lips, sucking on my tongue as his chest rose and fell. The heat between us continued to build, the need to the point of utter combustion.

  I could kiss him for hours, savoring the taste and the closeness, but I knew he wouldn’t be able to hold back for long. He used a slow and steady rhythm, pulsing his finger back and forth across my clit. He was bringing me so close to a climax. So damn close.

  My mind shifted to everything I wanted to do to him. I wanted to rip open his zipper as I dropped to my knees. I hungered to wrap my lips around his cockhead, tormenting him exactly the way he was doing to me. Then I wanted nothing more than to take his shaft all the way down as I squeezed his balls. I could only imagine the taste of his sweet cum sliding down the back of my throat.

  As his actions increasing in intensity, he jerked my panties aside, the ripping sound heard over our combined moans. He pressed his heated palm against my wetness, still rolling his fingers around my clit.

  I pushed hard against him, my fingernails finding his skin behind the open shirt, digging and clawing as if I was holding on for dear life. I became as much the animal as he’d been before, humping his hand as he fingered me, vibrant stars floating along my field of vision. I was thrown into euphoria as he brought me to the very edge of the precipice then slowed down.

  Making me crazed with desire.

  Making me prepared to beg him for relief.

  He fisted my hair, yanking my head and breaking the kiss. “Do you want to come, sweet angel?”

  “Yes. Please.”

  The grin on his face was dark and devious, as if learning all my deepest secrets had given him a key to every second of my pleasure.

  Or my pain.

  I could barely breathe or focus as he tore the panties away from my legs, tossing them aside as if they were trash. Then he kicked my legs farther apart before fingering me roughly as he stared into my eyes.

  There was no use in fighting him or the ravaging desire that had breached the surface. I crawled my hand down to his belt, fingering the thick leather and shuddering. I could tell by the smile on his face that he knew what I was thinking.

  That he’d use the belt on my bottom one day.

  That he’d mark me with his stripes.

  The mark of his ownership.

  Moaning, I traced the outline of his cock as it throbbed against his jeans before rubbing my fingers roughly across the dense material.

  He uttered a thick and husky growl, savage in every way. Even his eyes glimmered with longing as well as frustration. The same curl on his lips occurred as he rubbed my pussy even more vigorously, the friction sending a wave of heat dancing down the backs of my legs.

  “Oh. Oh… Mmm…” I swayed back and forth, the pleasure intoxicating, my breathing even more ragged.

  “You will come for me, sweet angel.”

  “Maybe.”

  He laughed as he yanked on my hair, forcing me to look directly into his eyes. “You seem to forget. I own you. Mine to tease. Mine to protect. Mine to discipline. And always mine to fuck any way I desire.”

  This time, the words were thrilling in a way I would have never thought possible. I wanted to be his, to feel safe in his arms, captured by his intense and powerful needs. I craved getting lost in the passion, fucked so hard and often that my body reeked of his scent for hours. Days.

  And I wanted his marks covering a portion of my body, a sweet reminder that I belonged to him.

  Even if it terrified me to death.

  “That’s it. You’re almost there,” he whispered, lowering his head until he was able to murmur in my ear, “Enjoy the ride, my beautiful Willow.”

  I couldn’t control my breathing or my body’s betrayal as a climax roared into me, sliding up from my curled toes and yanking me into the sweet release of oblivion.

  “Oh. Oh. Oh.” The scream was strangled, my vision now completely cloudy and I would have fallen to the floor if he hadn’t been holding me. I was shocked as the single incredible eruption of electricity morphed into a jagged live wire of pulses, one coming after the other. I could no longer feel my legs, my screams nothing but scattered pants.

  And I fell into the beautiful yet surreal pit of ecstasy, a place no man had taken me before.

  “Come again for me,” he commanded, his tone gruff.

  “I… Yes. Yes…” The words were incoherent, my heart skipping several beats as the wave crested over me, erupting into the utmost in rapture.

  When I stopped quivering, he released his hold and I slowly lowered my head to rest on his shoulder. He continued to finger me, barely dancing the tip of a single finger around my clit. My God, I was aching all over, uncertain if it was day or night. But I continued to rub him, becoming more aggressive in my actions. I adored his body’s reactions, the fact he was unsteady on his feet. It was his turn to suffer the pleasure of being in my hands.

  Jerking back, I tugged his shirt out of his jeans, sliding my other hand underneath. The heat of his body seared my fingertips and as I tipped my head, the sheen of perspiration on his face was enticing as fuck. My mouth watered at the thought of sucking him.

  “You’re a very bad girl,” he whispered as he stroked the side of my face.

  “You have no idea.”

  “Mmm… I think I do. What do you want?”

  “To play. Are you going to allow me?”

  The smile on his face was entirely different, as if he was also letting go, savoring the fact I hungered to touch him.

  “Only if you’re a good girl.” While he tried to keep his words as demanding as before, the moment I lowered my head, pressing my lips against his chest, he threw his head back with a savage growl.

  “Oh, I’m very good,” I purred, no longer caring whether this was a good idea or not. He’d dragged me from my self-imposed prison, freeing my spirit, at least for a little while. I slowly dropped to my knees, trailing my fingers down to his stomach before concentrating on freeing his cock. Just the act of unfastening his belt forced a guttural moan from my throat.

  He stared down at me with lazy eyes, blinking several times as if attempting to focus. The look on his face was feral, the knowledge that he was going to ravage every inch of me pulsing glorious waves of excitement throughout every cell and muscle. I was as alive as I’d ever been, especially when I managed to free his massive cock.

  His shaft was a thing of beauty, long and thick, the tip purple from his excessive desires. Using my pinky, I rolled my finger around the head several times, finally sliding it across his sensitive slit. Seconds later, I was rewarded with a string of pre-cum, the delicate beads merely a hint of what was to come.

  I tugged on his jeans until I managed to slide them down his carved hips, marveling in the muscular structure of his thighs. He was truly all male, sculpted in all the right places, as if God himself had created the rest of the male population in Christopher’s honor. I sucked in my breath then blew it across his cockhead before dragging my tongue through the salty string. The taste of him was incredible, sweet yet tangy, the assault on my tongue more than I’d expected.

  As I slid my hand between his legs, tickling his balls, he placed his hand on the top of my head. Forever in control. Forever keeping me in line. The scent of his masculinity wafted into my nostrils, pushing me to take every inch of his cock into my mouth. Instead, I teased him, dancing my fingers up and down his shaft before rolling his testicles between them.

  Huffing, Christopher rolled onto the balls of his feet, every muscle tense. “Don’t tease me, sweet angel. If you continue to do so, I’ll have to punish you.”

  I wrapped my hand around the base of his shaft, rolling up and squeezing, taking my time before fingering the slit. The way his cock felt in my hand was incredible, throbbing and pulsing. When I squeezed his balls again, a growl erupted from his throat, raspy and enveloped in lust. He had difficulty catching his breath, his chest rising and falling.

  After a few seconds, I was unable to take the torment I’d created for myself, needing to quench my thirst. I dragged my tongue down the underside of his cock, laving from side to side before darting the tip across his testicles.

  “Fuck. Jesus.” His body shaking, he had both hands on my head, holding me in place while he swayed and rocked.

  I closed my eyes and enjoyed the moment, licking before sucking on first one swollen ball then the other. As I clamped down, using my strong jaw muscles to suck, he issued a long string of guttural sounds. Encouraged and fueled, I drew my tongue back and forth on his shaft until I reached the tip.

  “That’s it. Suck me. Suck me now, sweet angel.”

  The second I opened my mouth, taking just the tip inside, he resumed control, shoving several inches inside. He was so huge, filling my mouth completely. I struggled to keep my breathing even as I sucked, taking another inch. Then another. There was no way I could take all of him.

  “That’s it. Relax, baby girl. Breathe and relax.” His words were strangled yet the encouragement was all I needed.

  I rolled my fingers along the insides of his legs, kneading his muscles as he fucked my mouth, finally able to relax my throat muscles.

  “Oh, fuck, yes.” He powered into me, rolling forward like a wild animal.

  Everything was a blur; my mind, my focus, and the craziness of my desire to taste him as he face-fucked me. He was so tense, his breathing ragged and I knew he was trying to hold on.

  He’d promised to take me in every hole, and I knew without a doubt that he was here to make good on that statement. He would take me over and over again.

  And on this beautiful, cold late afternoon, I wanted nothing more than to spend hours full of pleasure.

  I cupped and held his balls as he thrust harder and faster, doing everything I could to stay in position. He was so damn powerful, so incredibly gorgeous and I was shocked how much rampant desire remained.

  “Fuck me. So damn good. So…” Huffing, he dropped his head, allowing beads of sweat to drip down against my face. The look in his eyes was that of a predator, a beast claiming his mate.

  But those eyes, as stunning as they were, still frightened me.

  Soulless.

  Heartless.

  Dangerous.

  Yet I wanted him.

  Panting, he dug his fingers into my skin as he powered into me, tossing his head back and forth. As a series of growls permeated the room, I pressed my fingers into his thighs and closed my eyes.

  When he erupted into my mouth, I fought my reflexes, trying desperately to swallow every drop of his sweet cream. Within seconds, beads slipped from both sides of my mouth.

  “Fuck. Fuck…” He remained tense, his words almost inaudible as he emptied his balls. “So damn good.” He stumbled backwards, breaking the connection and wiping his face. A sly smile crossed his face when I crawled forward, lapping up remnants of his cream as I purred.

  I’d fallen hard for him. There was no denying the fact. He’d entered into my life like a bulldozer, refusing to accept my excuses or my failed attempts at keeping my privacy. I wasn’t certain what the hell would happen, but I would enjoy every precious minute that we had.

  When I’d finished with my task, he took another step away, slowly jerking his jeans back into position. The look on his face was one of dominance, sated yet already hungry for more. He reached out, helping me to my feet and yanking me against his chest once again.

  “I’m not finished with you, baby girl. I’m going to take you in that sweet pussy of yours. Then I’m going to fuck you in your tight ass. After that, we will see. I can go all night. The question is, can you?”

  Such tempting words, thrilling in a way that they shouldn’t be.

  “Then we’re going to need nourishment,” I said casually after dragging my tongue across my lips.

  “What did you have in mind?” He traced the veins in my neck, moving down the cleft between my breasts.

  Everything the man did was distracting, keeping me on the very edge of my sanity. “Um…”

  A dark chuckle slipped past his lips as he rolled his finger around my nipple, taking his time after reclaiming full control. “Yes?”

  “Leave that to me.” I pushed away, nearly tripping over Baxter who’d fallen asleep behind us. There was something comforting in a disturbing way about having both Christopher and the puppy in my little house.

  I suddenly felt embarrassed as I walked into the kitchen, trying to catch my breath. What could I offer to drink? I laughed at the predicament as goosebumps popped along every inch of skin. Admitting I was enjoying his company was freeing. It was as if I could finally block out the world and the recent worries. If only that could be true for a long time.

  I remembered a special bottle of wine I’d purchased a couple of months before and it took me almost five minutes to find it. After grabbing a couple of glasses and a wine opener, I smoothed down my hair and walked back into the living room.

  Christopher had his back turned to me, but he was standing in front of the wall of shelves my father had built years ago. I hadn’t bothered to even clean off his old war books or the movies my parents had purchased over the years. What was he looking at?

  Then I remembered the series of pictures that I’d stacked together, unable to stand looking at them. As I walked closer, I sucked in my breath only seconds before I was able to see which picture he was looking at.

  My first solo at the American Ballet Theatre, the only time my parents had actually gotten to see me dance as a prima ballerina.

  As he turned his head, it was obvious that everything had changed, that something had snapped inside of him.

  I’d lied to him.

  I’d betrayed him.

  And there was no going back.

  Chapter 9

  Christopher

  She had lied.

  To my face.

  Betraying me.

  I couldn’t think clearly as I held the incredible picture in my hands, anger forcing me to shake. The intimacy we’d shared before seemed a lifetime ago, my uncertainty regarding her intentions yanking me into another level altogether.

  My pulse was rapid, the adrenaline flow creating a wave of profound energy as I fought various feelings and emotions. I adored the woman, everything about her, yet I would not stand for her deceit. Visions rushed into my mind, the ugliness almost intolerable. She’d had some kind of relationship with Prentikov, the realization making me sick.

  All I wanted was revenge. The Russian had been sent to my city to destroy my family. That was not going to happen.

  Even if it meant losing her.

  As I heard her come into the room, I did my best to temper my anger, but it was almost impossible. I was surprised that she remained quiet, although I could almost read her mind, the uncertainty laced with concern.

  “That was a long time ago in a life that no longer means anything to me,” Willow said quietly.

  Turning slowly, I studied her, the tension mounting between us. I sighed as she placed the bottle of wine and glasses on the table, backing as far away from me as she could get. I remained silent, finally turning my attention back to the group of framed photographs she’d obviously not wanted to look at after returning to her parents’ home. Every picture had been turned face down, as if she could no longer face her past.

  And I knew it had everything to do with Aleksandr Prentikov.

  As I pulled another photograph into my hands, I was able to see her face clearly, the shimmer in her eyes and the smile allowing me to share a moment of sheer joy with her. But only for a few precious seconds. She had beautiful long lines, the ballet costume hugging every curve. She appeared like a princess, her head tilted upward as if searching the heavens. Very slowly I eased the photograph back in its place, finally turning around to face her.