“I thought you trusted him completely.”

  “He’s earned my trust, but that doesn’t mean that he’s incapable of selling his soul for a hefty price.”

  “My God. I was right about him. He’s just another killer like you. Isn’t he?”

  “Who Jerry was in his former life and what he is now are entirely two different things.” I hated the statement I made as soon as I’d said it.

  “Does that mean your kind can change?”

  I continued glaring at her. “My kind. Maybe not, Hope. Once a killer, always a killer.”

  She held her gaze for a full minute then took purposeful steps around me. “I’m going to try and make something for dinner. I’ll fix you a plate. That is, if you actually eat food.”

  When she purposely brushed against me, the beast reared his ugly head. I took several heaving breaths, staring at the bookshelf, my eyes unable to focus on any of the titles. But I knew their positions by heart. I took long strides toward the shelf where she’d had her hand, running my fingers over the spines until I found what I was looking for. As I pulled it away, the flash of memories was so intense that a bolt of agony blasted into my head.

  “Oh!” I slapped my hands against my ears, forced to hunker over as the pain became blinding. “No. No!” The images were so real, bold and beautiful in the vivid hues. The face. The flowers. The horses. And the books. As I did everything I could to control my breathing, counting to five then ten, the ugly demons refused to remove their claws from my brain.

  All the horrors.

  All the tears.

  All the screams.

  They all came rushing back, filling every corner of my mind, spilling into my veins. I was suffocating, unable to breathe. No. Fucking no! I stumbled toward the desk, gripping the edge to keep from falling. Then the anger took over. I swung my arm across the surface, not even remembering what had been on top. I didn’t care what was broken. Nothing mattered. Nothing.

  I slammed my hands on the desk several times until they ached. At least I felt something real, something tangible.

  And the pain was well deserved.

  I wanted to feel alive again. Every part of me craved the simplicity of human touch. Of her touch. Her lips. Her beating heart. Her sweet pussy. My cravings refused to be denied. Jerking toward the door, my strength returned as I took long strides into the hallway, catching a whiff of the shower gel I’d used on her that very morning.

  A slow burning hiss left my lips as I stormed through the hall, finding her in the kitchen. “Hope. You are mine.”

  There was no fear in her eyes as I approached. There was also no struggle. I simply tossed her over my shoulder.

  Then I walked toward the stairs.

  As always, I would take what didn’t belong to me.

  Hope

  You are mine.

  The three little words resonated in my ears, sending my mind reeling all over again. When Dominik threw me over his shoulder as if I weighed nothing, I was shocked to the point I hadn’t been able to react. His venom in the office had been disconcerting, showing me that a portion of his perfect exterior was cracking. Now this.

  He was already on the stairs when I finally managed to react, beating my fists against his back. “Let go of me.”

  All the brute did was growl like an animal as he took the stairs two at a time. I felt like a ragdoll and nothing more, his personal plaything. He was still furious, but the look in his eyes was laced with the need to possess me. There was the kind of hunger that was deeply set, bursting at the seams. I should be frightened of him, but I wasn’t. He obviously had another side, one so personal that it kept him awake at night. I could only imagine the nightmares that must plague his sleep.

  “I said. Let. Me. Go.” No amount of kicking out, squirming, or beating him did a single thing, other than to get my bottom swatted several times. The man truly thought he owned me, could do anything he wanted as if there would never be any consequences. I hated when he remained so damn quiet, his mind set on whatever decision he’d made.

  I was exhausted from struggling, finally taking deep breaths as I realized he’d walked past the room deemed to be mine. Was there some prison cell in another room? My thoughts drifted to the book I’d found on the shelf. It was so out of place that I didn’t know what to think. But there wasn’t a single doubt he’d seen which one I’d fingered, adding gasoline to his fiery anger. What secrets was the man hiding?

  I should have known better than to say a damn thing to Jerry. In playing with fire, I knew I would get burned.

  Dominik kicked open the closed door, moving inside then not bothering to try to shut it. I realized quickly that it was just another bedroom, one much sparser than the one he’d allowed me to use. When he tossed me down onto the bed, I scrambled quickly, trying to get off.

  He pointed a single finger in my direction, shaking his head.

  I shifted onto my knees, doing everything I could to catch my breath, scanning the room with darted glances. His bag was located in the corner, unzipped but completely full. He hadn’t planned on unpacking.

  “Undress,” he commanded, his chest heaving.

  I was lightheaded, taking a quick glance at the door. He followed my gaze, his eyes narrowing.

  “I suggest you don’t try it. You won’t like what happens. Do as I say. Undress.”

  The gentle man I’d seen in the early hours of the morning seemed long gone, although I could see a shift in his eyes, a softness starting to form. His breathing remained ragged, his chest rising and falling as guttural sounds slipped up from his throat. I’d always thought of myself as broken, but this man was on another plateau.

  We needed each other. That’s why there was such a strong connection, almost as if we’d bonded in a way that would never allow us to be freed from one another. I couldn’t explain it, nor was I certain what it would mean, but at that moment, I wanted to have his arms around me. I wanted to share with him all the anger and pain we’d both experienced, the utter madness of trying to be something we weren’t. And yes, I wanted to pretend that everything was going to be all right, if only for a short period of time.

  I rose onto my knees, jerking off my shirt and unclasping my bra, slowly tossing them over the end of the bed. As I unbuttoned my shorts, he let off another series of low and husky growls, the sound penetrating every cell in my body. My blood was boiling, my heart skipping beats. While every part of me knew this was wrong, I was determined to let it go for this precious period of time.

  I crawled off the bed, surprised when he took several purposeful steps away. As I peeled away the dense material, he cocked his head, licking his lips. Very slowly I tugged them down, kicking them away then doing nothing more than sliding my fingers under the thin elastic of my panties. I could tell the man was planning on devouring me.

  When I was completely naked, every inch of my body trembling, I dropped to the floor, pushing onto all fours. As I started to crawl toward him, he seemed as if he’d fallen into a trance although he fisted then flexed his hands several times.

  The setting sun splashed a display of shimmering light into the room, adding to the surreal quality. I took my time, inching closer and closer, the heat of his body engulfing me when I was within two feet of him. As I crawled between his legs, his guttural sounds became more pronounced. He was a beast trying to control his increasing needs.

  He hadn’t bothered to remove a single item of clothing and as I proceeded to lift his leg, tugging on his boot, he stiffened. I gave him a single look before continuing, tossing the first one away. He didn’t fight me, allowing me to get rid of the other. The electricity continued to crackle between us, arcing like a live wire in a massive thunderstorm. I had a feeling we’d both be singed after we were finished.

  Two tarnished and battered souls.

  When I crawled my fingers up the inside of his legs, barely dancing the tips over the dense jean fabric, he whispered several words in Russian, his inflection dark. I was far too aroused, my pussy aching, my nipples still swollen from the night before. The scent of him was just like I’d remembered, so strong and masculine, leading me to a series of dizzy sensations.

  When I was near his crotch, I blew across it then tugged on the hem of his shirt. He finally reacted, jerking it off within seconds. I adored the look of his chest and carved abdomen. Before I touched his zipper, I pressed my lips against his taut stomach, brushing them back and forth.

  “Bad… Girl…” His words were almost inaudible, but I heard them. I was a very bad girl to want a man like this.

  I peppered several kisses then darted my tongue around his bellybutton, enjoying the taste of his tangy skin. He tangled his fingers in my hair, stroking just as gently as he’d done that morning. When I looked up again, I noticed his eyes were closed. I licked from one side of his stomach to the other as I fumbled with the button and zipper, pushing the dense edges away. His growl was almost like a sweet reward.

  For being a good girl.

  For teasing him.

  But I knew that wouldn’t last for long. He was one famished man and I was his meal for the evening. I tugged until I was able to pull his jeans over his hips, finally freeing his insanely gorgeous cock. I was so thirsty, longing to taste his cum, to have it fill my mouth as he exploded inside. I dragged the tip of my tongue across his sensitive slit, boosting the electricity.

  His body jerked, his hold on my hair getting tighter. I repeated the move and he tossed his head from side to side.

  I continued sliding his jeans down his thighs, planting several kisses on his legs. Everything about him was hard as a rock. He was the most disciplined man I’d ever known, but there was also a sensitive side to him that he never allowed himself to show to anyone.

  When his jeans were finally encircling his ankles, I gingerly lifted his feet, taking away the hindrance. He split his legs further apart, lowering his head and opening his eyes.

  “You will suck me,” he ordered, his accent even heavier than before.

  I licked up to his knee then shifted to the other side, continuing my path. When I blew across his cockhead, he exhaled in an exaggerated manner. I remained lightheaded, the combined scent of our desire wafting between us. He snagged my hair, jerking slightly.

  “Don’t tease me.”

  “I thought you wanted me to tempt you,” I answered as I wrapped my hand around the base of his shaft.

  He laughed softly. “You tempt me every single minute. My hunger is far too great. I suggest you don’t make me wait for long.”

  I had no intentions. As I rubbed the tip back and forth across my mouth, I was rewarded with a few drops of pre-cum. The taste of him was tangy yet sweet, pushing me into another level of longing. I licked around his cockhead then dragged my tongue down the underside. His balls were full and swinging. The second I rolled them between my fingers, he let off a savage roar.

  With his patience at the end, I opened my mouth, engulfing the tip and sucking as I continued to squeeze his balls. I could tell by his ragged, guttural sounds that the friction and slice of pain were exactly what he needed.

  I was far too hungry to wait but so long myself, yet I wanted nothing more than to taste every inch of him. After sucking for several seconds, I licked down the underside, taking one of his testicles into my mouth. I rolled my tongue back and forth several times before rubbing my lips across to his other swollen ball.

  His panting was heavier than before, his entire body swaying. “So beautiful,” he muttered. “All mine. Every inch. Mine.”

  His words echoed in my ears as I licked along the side of his cock, returning the tip to my mouth. I took him down a couple of inches, sucking as I swirled my tongue back and forth. When his grip tightened again, I felt him retaking control. He forced another two inches inside my mouth, holding me in place for several seconds.

  “Suck, sweet woman. Suck me hard and fast. Take every inch.”

  I tried to relax my throat muscles but as he pushed his cock all the way inside, I was forced to take several breaths in an effort to keep from gagging. He was so huge that my mouth ached instantly. I pressed my hands against his thighs, digging my fingers into his skin, using my strong jaw muscles to do as he demanded.

  Every sound he made was like that of an animal, so savage. So possessive. I struggled with my breathing as he pumped his cock in and out. He rolled onto the balls of his feet as he face fucked me, driving hard and fast. I was lost in the moment, my mind still a blur. He was so tense, his entire body rigid, and within seconds, I knew I could bring him to an orgasm.

  But he slowed down, rolling his fingers through my hair, a smile crossing his face. “I want you more than I’ve wanted any other woman.”

  I regained control, rolling my hand around the base of his cock as I sucked on only the tip. His eyes seemed dilated, his entire demeanor changing entirely. I continued my actions, swirling my tongue back and forth. When he pushed me away, I issued a hissing moan, pursing my lips as I looked up at him.

  “I want to erupt inside your hot mouth, but I also hunger for more.” He gathered me into his arms, lifting me into the air. As he pulled me close, I wrapped my legs around him. I expected him to slam me against the wall, taking me like the barbarian he was, but he surprised me all over again, easing onto the bed and laying me down gently.

  He hovered over me, gazing down as if looking at me for the first time. I pressed my hand against his chest, marveling in the way his muscles felt under my fingertips. Just the touch of his skin seared the ends, pushing my heartrate higher. The rush of adrenaline I felt was entirely different, pushing me to a precipice. I was enthralled by the man crouched over me.

  Dominik gave me a slight smile before lowering his head and capturing my mouth. This time wasn’t just about a power exchange, it was fulfilling an entirely different kind of need. I was fueling his energy, providing him with a new level of strength. Maybe I was exactly what he needed.

  Maybe, just maybe I was also his salvation.

  The kiss was gentle at first, so sweet and beautiful, two damaged souls lit by an unseen fire. I was breathless, caressing his skin as the moment of intimacy became more passionate. Every touch was powerful, every breath we took entirely different than before. Gone was the urgent need, the blast of hunger that had consumed both of us. In its place was more intimate and special, as if we were joining together, our sins combined.

  And as if he was saying goodbye.

  A moment of sadness washed over me, the emotion almost too overwhelming to continue, but as his kisses became more aggressive, I was reminded just how dominating the man truly was. Yet I hungered for his strength, his willpower to survive, and his willingness to protect me at all costs. He made me feel secure for the first time in my life, something I never thought would happen.

  He dragged his tongue around my lips before rubbing his own lips along my jaw, slowly dropping to my neck. Every peppered kiss, the way he took his time exploring and tasting pushed me further into a state of nirvana. When he’d feasted on my pussy, he’d been so in tune to my needs. It had been as if he’d known my body for years, learning the nuances of what made me tick in order to drive me straight into ecstasy.

  Dominik wasn’t just a powerful lover. He was perfect in almost every way.

  Almost.

  My mind remained a swirling blur as he continued his exploration, taking his time to lick around my nipples, barely nipping first one then the other. The minutes he took left me unable to think clearly or focus. I finally closed my eyes as several whimpers escaped my lips. When he reached my stomach, I pressed my hand over my mouth to keep from screaming, the sensations creating goosebumps over every inch of my skin.

  I felt my muscles tense when he wrapped his arms around my legs, lifting and spreading until he had easy access to my swollen folds. While his hold was secure, his fingers digging into my skin, the tenderness remained.

  Growling, he blew across my wetness, adding another layer of trembles skipping down my spine then all the way to my toes. I clamped one hand around the comforter, clawing and tugging as if the material could keep me from floating straight into la-la land. That wasn’t possible. I was already there, freed to explore the kind of desire that I’d shoved aside my entire life. This was a filthy sin, but one I couldn’t resist.

  And neither could he.

  As he swirled his tongue around my already quivering clit, I bucked up from the bed. “Oh. Oh…”

  His response was nothing more than a guttural whisper in Russian, perhaps a reminder that I belonged to him. At that moment, I allowed myself to believe that. Maybe I had some kind of crazy hope after all. I tried to focus, to watch what he was doing but as the sun faded away, shimmers of color remained in the room, adding a strange glow illuminating the walls. This was nothing more than a fantasy.

  Dominik licked up and down my pussy, taking his time to suck on my pussy lips before darting his tongue inside. I could tell his hunger was increasing, his actions more forceful as he lapped up my cream. Within seconds, I was yanked to the very edge of losing all control, a climax racing around the corner.

  I did what I could to hold back. I wanted this to last, the sheer pleasure of having him take his time to please me fulfilling in ways he couldn’t imagine. With every sweep of his tongue, I was pulled closer and closer to the world of utter bliss.

  When he buried his head between my legs, thrusting several fingers inside and pumping savagely, I lost it.

  “Oh!” My scream vibrated in the room, bouncing off the walls. He spread me open even wider, holding me down as I rocked like a wild animal. The orgasm was even more explosive than before, rushing blood into every cell, my skin on fire and my muscles spasming. I opened my mouth to scream again as another giant wave slammed over me, but the sound was breathless.

  He growled several times, licking roughly as he plunged his fingers harder and faster. He wanted me to continue climaxing, refusing to let go until I obeyed him completely. There was no holding back, another orgasm pounding into me until I was left breathless and exhausted, every muscle straining.