Her mouth twisted in shock, her eyes darting back and forth as if trying to ascertain who else might have killed him. When someone popped into the elevator, she took the brief lapse of my attention by shoving me with all her might, racing around me into the lobby.

  I closed my eyes before following her into the expansive space, watching as she continued racing toward one set of carousel doors. I had no intention of calling after her or stopping her at this point, but I did want to ensure her safety.

  She was desperate to get out and away from me, shoving a couple of people aside only to find herself trapped between the building and the street. As she slapped her hands against the glass in frustration, I closed the distance, heading out the unencumbered double doors two seconds after she did.

  I prided myself on a heightened level of observation skills, what my brothers would call having eyes in the back of my head. I moved toward her more quickly, turning my head when I heard tires screeching as a driver raced around the corner. The big, black SUV was headed in our direction. It was likely they’d gotten a glimpse of us on the sidewalk.

  As the back passenger’s and driver’s windows were rolled down, my instinct kicked in. I issued an intense roar as I lunged toward her just as assault rifles were shoved through the two open spaces.

  Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

  “No!”

  CHAPTER 15

  Bella

  Rain.

  It pelted against the windows, the pinging sounds vibrating as much as my body hummed with tickling electricity. In the distance thunder rumbled, the single flash of lightning causing my heart to race.

  I pushed up from the bed, my fingers still clinging around the soft sheets. I wasn’t afraid, just curious as to where he’d gone. I eased from under the covers, planting my feet on the hard wooden floor. I was drained yet excited, longing to see him, the man who’d saved my life.

  The room was dark, a single candle flickering from the light breeze coming in through the open window. I was drawn to the scent of night blooming jasmine and wet grass, inhaling the luscious fragrances as I took my first step toward the set of French doors.

  Another rumble of thunder vibrated all the way to my toes, my mind spinning as I brushed my hand across my face. Every inch of my body felt as if it was on fire, electrocuted by the blue neon flashes of Mother Nature.

  I listened for any other telltale sounds that he was hiding in the shadows but couldn’t sense his presence. The silence was almost too much, the longing to hear more of the storm all I could think about.

  As I neared the doors, my entire mind was pitching into thinking about when he’d kissed me, held me.

  Licked me.

  Disciplined me.

  Fucked me.

  A smile crossed my face. All I wanted was for him to come take me, using me as he wanted. There was no doubt he’d be rough when he came, tying me to the bed or to the chandelier. It was overwhelming to think about how much I craved his firm hand, longing to please him. It was silly really, something that I shouldn’t crave.

  But I did.

  The anticipation of being with him forced a knot into my stomach and I could swear I sensed him breathing. I took a deep breath, trying to squelch the anxiety, throwing open the doors with both hands. As my face was pelted by the sideways rain, I opened my mouth and closed my eyes, tipping my head toward the blackened sky.

  Another flash crisscrossed the sky and I threw my arms out, my lingerie immediately soaked. An outline of the gorgeous landscaping added to the perfect nuance but quickly darkness enshrouded the area, bringing another wave of ominous shadows. The feeling of being so completely free was intensified by the storm as well as the continued thumping of my heart. I’d never had another experience like this, so invigorating while terrifying at the same time.

  Was he close? Was he preparing to take me as he’d done before, making good on his promise that I’d always belong to him? The fact he remained silent even though I could feel him, my blood boiling because of it meant he enjoyed playing his games. Cat and mouse.

  The hunter and the prey.

  Longing to feel the rain, I tore off my nightgown, tossing it aside and basking in the feeling of being completely naked. It was heavenly. As I walked onto the balcony one step at a time, drops of rain pelted against my skin, adding to the level of excitement.

  Another jolt of lightning and I gasped, laughing afterwards. As the breeze picked up, tickling my skin even more than before, I moved to the iron railing, grasping it and rising onto my toes. I was three stories above the ground, just enough to be dangerous but so exciting. This had to be what a bird felt like flying high in the sky.

  My hair was plastered to my skin, my pussy aching as the longing increased. Suddenly, I felt his presence, as if he’d been watching me from the darkest part of the room. I wanted nothing more than to feel him inside of me, pushing every boundary as he fucked me like a wild animal. I didn’t turn around, but I could feel him getting closer, waiting for the right moment to strike, a panther dragging his prey to his lair.

  I was able to smell him, the intensity of his exotic aftershave permeating my nose as well as my skin. I wanted him to speak, to break the silence but I’d learned a long time ago that savages never spoke, they simply took what they wanted.

  And they fucked.

  But as he’d done before, he surprised me, issuing a slight bellow toward the forest, as if calling the other beasts in the wild. Maybe he was laying claim in a way he hadn’t done before. He was primal, his needs sadistic but I craved the pain, the rush of adrenaline I felt from the attack of endorphins.

  Even now, I could barely breathe from the raging anticipation, fighting the urge to run as I usually did. Yet he did so adore chasing me, hunting me in the forest. It was our game, the togetherness something I’d yearned for my entire life.

  He’d known it.

  He’d sensed it.

  That was one reason he’d selected me above all the others he could have.

  So I could dance for him, providing him with a release from his demons.

  And surrender to his every need.

  “Do you want me, perfect dancer?’ he asked in his husky voice.

  “Always.”

  “Do you need me?” He took a step closer, the whirlwind of my pulse keeping me lightheaded.

  “Never.” I laughed at my answer, knowing that the need was greater than the want. He was my drug, the only reason I could breathe every day, the reason I wanted to wake up every morning. I did belong to him, every single inch.

  As he crept closer, my knees felt weak, my mind reeling from wonderment of what he would do. He rolled his hands over my shoulders, taking his time to brush the rough pads of his fingers down my arms ever so slowly. When he breathed against my neck, issuing a single growl, I closed my eyes, biting my lower lip to keep from crying.

  There was no reason to be afraid yet around him, I never knew what to expect.

  “So beautiful,” he murmured. “So perfect.”

  When I was with him and only him, I felt perfect, as if the moment was etched in stone. As if he’d broken me out of my prison instead of caging me in one. The dichotomy always brought a smile to my face. I couldn’t have it both ways. Or could I?

  “I’m going to do vile and filthy things to you, my sweet. Are you ready?”

  I turned my head slightly, whimpering when he dragged his tongue up the length of my neck, sliding into the shell of my ear. He was enticing me far too much, my pussy throbbing as my core heated to an explosive level. “Uh-huh.”

  He chuckled, the sound so seductive and demonic that my knees were shaking. As he slipped his hands to my breasts, cupping and squeezing, I threw my head back onto his shoulder. He crushed the weight of his body against mine, slowly shifting his hips back and forth. His cock was throbbing, pushing hard against my naked bottom.

  “As you well know, my sweet. With pleasure must come pain.”

  “Mmm…” He’d said that to me from the beginning, tonight merely reminding me that I was required to obey his every command.

  As if I would dare defy him more than I already had. I held my breath, knowing what to expect. As he brought his hand down multiple times across my bottom, somewhere the torrential downpour exacerbated the anguish, but it also heightened the rapture that just being around him offered.

  Several moans slipped past my lips as he teased me further, caressing my aching skin before sliding his hand between my legs.

  “You’re wet, my love. Does that mean you’re ready for me? Can you handle my thick cock right here? Right now?”

  I adored his deep voice, the way the syllables resonated in my system, heating up my core even more. “Maybe.”

  He laughed, his hot breath cascading across my shoulders. When he bit down on my shoulder blade, he shoved a single finger into my tight channel, wiggling it as if testing my preparedness. Another moan escaped my lips and I arched my back, twisting my hands around the railing. Another flash of lightning brought the most dazzling display of color splashing across the sky.

  As with all things surrounding the man, I was mesmerized, the longing becoming suffocating. He pumped his finger several times, curling the tip and enticing my G-spot as he so loved to do.

  I eased my hands behind me, longing to knead his thick thigh muscles. The moment I touched his heated skin, another jolt of current flowed from one to the other. I was shivering from that alone, the desire building to a dangerous precipice.

  “Patience, my perfect dancer. You’ll have everything you want very soon.”

  I rubbed the flats of my hands up and down his thighs while he used his knee to widen the opening between my legs. When he added a second and third finger, plunging them deep and hard into my pussy, I couldn’t stop a scream from erupting from my lips.

  He was growling in his low-slung voice, reminding me that he was all male and an utter predator. While he swirled his thumb around my clit, I could tell he was getting antsy himself, the longing just as crazed as mine was. I couldn’t help myself, teasing him by wrapping my fingers around his thick shaft, stroking him nice and slow as he continued tormenting me.

  “Such a bad girl.”

  “Yes, I am.” The admittance made me laugh. As the rain began to ease, the rumbles of thunder shifting into the distance, I managed to find his swollen balls, squeezing them before rolling both through my fingers.

  I was rewarded with a savage bite on my neck. When he ripped his fingers away, gripping my hip instead, I threw my head back as I’d done before. He was so powerful in everything he did and as he thrust the entire length inside, I couldn’t seem to stop shaking.

  The moment was electric, surreal in every way. As the scent of his masculinity meshed together with the fresh fragrance of rain, he began to pound into me as if he was desperate with need, incapable of stopping his brutal actions.

  The honest truth was that I wanted him.

  I wanted his savagery.

  His domination.

  I wanted him to hurt me.

  To mark me.

  I needed the feel of his hot breath as he commanded me to call out his name.

  My body burned with desire, every muscle aching.

  The need was so intense I was strangled, every breath difficult.

  I shifted as if to primal music, matching the way he was fucking me.

  We weren’t a couple. We were merely animals fucking in the wild.

  And we both loved it. Needed it.

  Craved it to the depth of our being.

  Nothing would stop him from getting what he wanted.

  Full and unquestionable control over me. My body, my soul, and my heart.

  And in truth, I was ready to give all three to him.

  Even if he was a dangerous, ruthless man.

  “My perfect dancer. Everything about you leaves me breathless.” His whisper was harsh, full of the kind of lust that would drive him into his sadistic needs. He shifted the wet hair from my shoulders, dragging his tongue up and down the side of my neck. And I couldn’t help myself, imagining he was a wolf, I was his prey.

  And that he was very hungry.

  The hard fucking continued, the man more insatiable than normal. I was thrown by how my body responded, the man giving me the breath of life. As the force of what he was doing pushed me up to my toes, I let out the kind of howl that would attract the beasts of the wild.

  And in turn, they responded, howling and wailing as if in respect of what we were doing.

  Mating.

  And still, my master refused to stop, pushing me to the point of no return.

  As my toes started to curl, every cell in my body caught on fire, I could no longer make a single sound. The orgasm was so powerful, pushing me into pure euphoria.

  “Good girl. My very good girl. Come for me again.”

  I could never ignore his command, my body betraying me from day one. As a single climax swept into something even more powerful, I sensed his control was waning.

  And as usual, my bratty side took over. I squeezed my muscles, delighted in hearing the strangled sounds he made.

  With another sharp crack of his hand, another reminder, he was finally ready to release.

  And Mother Nature was there with us; the final flash of the most brilliant shade of blue lit up the sky like fireworks. As he released, filling me with his seed, I was certain I’d died and gone to heaven.

  Boom! Crack!

  I opened my eyes, the powerful sound sending a flash of terror into my system. I was disoriented, darkness surrounding me. I remained as still as possible, trying to understand where I was. I couldn’t see a thing and blinked furiously, praying my eyes would adjust.

  My mind was foggy, sexual images fading yet they’d been about Creed. I shuddered, trying to remember the last moment before… Before I was here.

  An intense rumble caught me off guard, the slight yelp I issued adding to the anxiety. I bit the sound back as best I could, also doing everything I could to control my breathing. I was lying down, suddenly fearful I was shackled to something. Yet I was able to pull my arms free.

  From soft covers.

  Wait a minute? I patted whatever the weight was covering me, my brain finally accepting the fact I was covered in sheets and a comforter. What was going on? Blinking again, I started to see shadows, noticing a single flickering candle a distance away. I was in a room of some kind.

  Another flash.

  Another rumble.

  A storm.

  There was a storm brewing outside. I turned my head slowly, the scent of something entirely too masculine catching my attention.

  That’s when I realized I wasn’t alone, a presence close by. And it was all male, the fragrance a rich aftershave of sandalwood and citrus, spices and something even more woodsy.

  I wanted to scream, to yell for help because I couldn’t remember anything.

  But within seconds, a series of images rushed into my mind.

  Creed Saint. Jonas. Oh, my God. My friend was dead and…

  I’d gone to Creed’s office to confront him, finding he wasn’t alone. And I accused him of murder. Then… I’d run. Yes, I’d run away from him into the elevator. But he’d captured me just like he’d done before and… He’d held me against my will and…

  I pressed my hand over my mouth to keep from making a sound as additional images rushed into my mind, terror taking hold of my extremities.

  He let me run from the elevator to the carousel of doors, and I was outside. Then I heard a noise. Then he yelled. Then…

  Gunfire was coming from everywhere. I was tackled to the ground. By whom? Oh, my God. Creed had saved my life. I remember pain, my head hitting the cement, and his words.

  “No. No. I’ve got you, my perfect dancer. I’ll keep you safe.”

  Then nothing. Darkness. I must have blacked out.

  Where did he take me? What had he done?

  Another rumble of thunder broke the horrifying spell. I took several deep breaths, a slight wheezing coming from my chest. Then I heard movement. I was certain of it. Blinking again, I was finally able to make out someone sitting near me in a chair.

  Another memory popped into my mind. A dream. Oh, dear God. I’d been dreaming of the man… fucking me. How could I do that? How could I want that? No way. It was just a dream though. Right? He didn’t touch me. He didn’t fuck me in the rain. There wasn’t a chance.

  Yet when I slipped my hand under the covers once again, I realized I was completely naked. Oh, God. Oh, dear God. What had he done?

  I shifted my head, freezing until I lifted my other hand to my hair. It was damp. Oh. My. God.

  “What did you do to me?” I asked, my voice cracking.

  Maybe my imagination was playing tricks on me because there was nothing but silence greeting me, the shadow not moving. Maybe I was seeing things, my imagination playing with me.

  “Talk to me! I know you saved my life. Why bother?” My words sounded hollow, the emotion in my voice far too strained. I remembered what he’d said about Jonas, Creed’s self-righteous attitude that he didn’t need to bother killing my best friend because Jonas could never care about me that way. I wanted to lash out, to drive my fist into his face but what was the point?

  In truth, I believed Creed when he said he had nothing to do with Jonas’ death. Maybe it was all about the blind date he’d gone on, some crazed killer on the loose.

  A nervous laugh bubbled to the surface. I was exhausted and terrified, incapable of remaining coherent.

  “Talk to me!”

  My demand was met with another wave of silence, except for when he obviously moved, the chair he was sitting in creaking. “Where am I? I deserve to know that at least. Talk to me!”

  Thirty seconds ticked by. A full minute. “Safe.”

  The single word was enough to allow me to know my savior had been Creed and that the bastard of a man was watching over me. I wasn’t certain whether to feel honored, grateful.

  Or terrified.

  “There is nowhere safe as long as I’m around you. Let me go.”