I ripped at my zipper and she shifted her head in order to watch me. There was no longer hatred in her eyes, merely excitement as well as anticipation of what was about to come.

  She was enjoying my domination, only she hadn’t realized that at this moment, she was yanking at bits of my control, peeling away layers of the same kind of armor she’d had surrounding her. We were exactly the same, two broken souls with no understanding of how to face life without the demons hanging around our necks.

  I barely managed to yank my jeans to my thighs before gripping her hips, yanking her roughly until her feet were dangling off the bed. Then with one brutal thrust, I drove the entire length of my cock inside, her muscles straining to accept.

  “Oh… Fuck. Oh…” Her cries were like sweet music, the sound filtering into my brain. She clawed the bedding, purring as she undulated back and forth.

  I pulled almost all the way out, slamming into her again. The sensations skyrocketed as I drove into her fiercely, skin slapping against skin, my growls animalistic in nature. She was so wet and hot, her muscles clamping around my cock like a tight vise.

  “Yes. Yes…” she panted, still pulling against my hold, arching her back as she met every savage thrust with one of her own.

  Within seconds, I could tell she was close to coming, her pussy clenching and releasing, her mews breathless.

  I smacked her on the bottom several times, marveling at the way her body responded, the subtle scattered laugh pulsing past her lips. She gyrated wildly as she opened her legs even wider, every inch of her skin glistening.

  “Come for me, sweet angel. Come on my cock.”

  “Uh. Uh. Uh. Uh. Uh.” She moaned and writhed, tossing her head back and forth.

  I refused to stop, thrusting like a crazed man as she let out an elongated scream, the sound filtering into the air around us. As her body convulsed, a climax roaring into her system, I dug my fingers into her hips.

  “That’s it. Come for me, baby.”

  “Oh, God. Yes. Yes. Yes!”

  A single orgasm turned into a second, every part of her shaking violently. I held her, kneading my fingers in her skin until her body stopped convulsing. She slowly dropped her head, gasping for air.

  I leaned over, my cock continuing to pulse deep within her. When I issued a husky whisper, another round of tension rushed into every cell and muscle. “Now, I fuck you in the ass.” After pulling out, I slid the tip of my juice-covered cock up and down the crack of her ass before pushing against her puckered hole.

  Her entire body stiff, she sucked in her breath, twisting her head back and forth.

  “Relax, my sweet angel.” As I slowly eased my cockhead inside, she whimpered, tossing one hand in my direction.

  “Oh…”

  “Shh… Just breathe.” She was so damn tight, her muscles stretching as they tried to accommodate my size. I took several deep breaths, trying to control the almost urgent need that crested deep within. I was claiming her entirely.

  For now.

  Forever.

  A series of sensations shot through me, the electricity surging to the point stars floated in front of my eyes. When I was fully seated, I let out a roar, the wave of jolts dancing like a live wire.

  She continued moaning, her body heaving as if pain was coursing through her. I brushed my fingers down her spine before easing out and thrusting into her again. I was shocked at the heat building between us, our coupling the type of experience I’d craved my entire life. There was no turning back, no way of restarting the clock. She’d surrendered and there was no way I could let her go.

  I rode her long and hard, powering into her in an unforgiving manner. A part of me wanted to break her, to strip her of every inhibition and enjoy the way she opened up like a flower. I longed to devour every inch, consuming her essence. This was so much stronger than I’d intended, yet I would never be able to get enough.

  “Oh, Christopher. Christopher.” The way she said my name added gasoline to the fire until I was scalded from her touch.

  Within seconds, I couldn’t hold back any longer. My balls ached, my shaft throbbing until pleasure mixed with anguish. As I threw back my head, I erupted deep within her, filling her with my seed.

  “Fuck. Fuck!” My words echoed in the room, the sound guttural as we both shuddered from the force as well as our connection.

  “Oh. Yes…” she whispered, so husky and so full of darkness.

  Minutes later when I draped my body over hers, the strangest emotion of all washed over me.

  Love.

  I was falling in love with her.

  God help both of us.

  Chapter 10

  Willow

  Lost.

  I was lost in my thoughts as well as a sexual haze, my body so alive. Christopher had taken me to new heights of pleasure, although he’d been rough, even brutal. What surprised me was the gentleness he’d used since, as if regretting the words that he’d said. Sadly, I had no desire to tell him the remainder of the story. I could already tell he was dead set on exacting revenge.

  The consequences would be damning.

  I continued to wonder whether he really did understand what Aleksandr was capable of. I refused to allow the man I was falling for to be hurt because of the past. My past. I didn’t need a hero, just someone who could understand me. A cold wave of knowing washed over me, adding to the same sadness I’d felt before.

  I closed my eyes, trying to pretend that what we’d shared was normal, our budding relationship something special. A man like Christopher wasn’t into sharing a life with someone. Merely a bed. At least the warmth and feeling of being safe allowed me to breathe easier, if only for a little while.

  Tomorrow would be another day. He’d go about his life and I would mine.

  Only I knew both of us would be lonely.

  We remained in bed, a single light creating little more than a glow in the room. He had one arm around me, a wineglass in his other hand. Darkness had fallen, the wind whipping against the shutters creating an eerie sound. There was no other noise with the exception of a few snorts and deep breaths coming from Baxter from the end of the bed. I’d been surprised that Christopher hadn’t shoved him off, instead actually inviting the pup on top of the comforter.

  Almost everything about the larger than life man surprised me.

  “Where did you learn Russian?” he asked so quietly it took me a few seconds to realize what he’d said. “Were you really educated in several languages?”

  “I do know French and Spanish, but I learned some Russian while in New York. There were several dancers from Eastern Bloc countries, including Russia. You would be surprised how quickly you pick up the sarcastic remarks they make out of necessity. It’s much better tossing back nasty barbs in their language.”

  He laughed softly as he hugged me tightly. “A little fighter.”

  “I had to be given the environment. The world of dancing is ruthless.”

  “Interesting.”

  “Sometimes terrifying. I also had a tutor for a little while when I thought Aleksandr was worth getting to know.” I wasn’t certain why I spoke the last sentence. I knew he’d have additional questions. When he remained silent for a full thirty seconds, I held my breath.

  “You took a significant chance calling him a pig.”

  I lifted my head, trying to see his eyes. He seemed to be staring at Baxter, although I could tell he was planning his retaliation. Shuddering, I yanked on the covers, pulling them tighter around me. “The words slipped from my mouth given my hatred of him. How did you know what was said?”

  He kissed the top of my head before rubbing hair from my eyes. “In my business, if you’re smart, you learn as much as you can about your enemies. There will always be Russians who attempt to take over a portion of the city.”

  “Your business. You make it sound as if there’s more to the club.”

  “It would seem you already know a significant amount of information.”

  “Only what I read in past newspaper articles,” I said quietly.

  “Ah, yes, the great reporters who think they know us. The truth is the corporation has several businesses under the umbrella. While my father wasn’t the best businessman, he knew a good real estate deal when he found it, leaving his sons with a legacy. His investments paid off. All three of us have something to fall back on in case the club becomes less viable.”

  “Which makes you extremely wealthy,” I said, attempting to tease him.

  Chuckling, he swirled the wine in his glass before taking a sip. When he leaned down, pressing his lips against mine, a rush of electricity soared into every portion of my body. As he parted my lips, allowing the sip of merlot to slide into my mouth, I brushed the tips of my fingers down his chest. He had such a powerful way about him, his dominance exciting. I was shocked I could tolerate his insistence on control, given what I’d been through with Aleksandr.

  Maybe that’s what had attracted me to the Russian in the first place.

  Every nerve ending on fire, when he pulled away, I licked around his mouth, gathering a bead of wine.

  “Money means little to me.”

  I sat up, holding the sheet in place. “You drive an expensive car and I’m going to guess you live in a very pricy house, maybe even an estate. Your clothes reek of money, your watch worth almost as much as this house. You seem to enjoy the spoils of money.”

  A slight grin crossed his face, much more boyish than I was used to. “I’m not going to deny that I do enjoy the finer things in life, Willow, but you were very astute before. Money doesn’t buy happiness or provide the warmth of a companion.” He took another sip of wine, swallowing it this time before placing the glass on the nightstand.

  “That sounds like a man with regret and one with an actual heart. When I met you, I thought you didn’t have one.” I could see a flash of uncertainty in his eyes after I uttered the words.

  “Don’t get me wrong. I am a ruthless man.”

  I scooted closer, using a single finger, sliding the tip down his chest, smirking as his nostrils flared, his stiffening cock tenting the sheet. “So you continue to want me to believe.”

  “What changed your mind, allowing you to think I have a heart?”

  “Baxter. Dogs know instantaneously if a person is good or bad. The fact he adores you is telling.”

  He remained quiet, locking his gaze on the pup.

  “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to hurt you,” I whispered. It was easy to tell he was drinking in every word I said.

  “Words don’t bother me, actions do. That makes trusting difficult.”

  “You have to learn to trust at least a few people in your life or it’s not worth living. Isn’t that what you were trying to tell me?”

  He gave me a hard look before lifting his eyebrow. “Perhaps. While that may be true for the majority of people, I can’t afford to place my trust in those who don’t prove their loyalty.”

  “That includes me.”

  Christopher gazed down, offering a slight smile. “I want nothing more than to trust you, Willow.” The look of hunger that I’d seen before flashed in his eyes as he tugged on the sheet, pulling it down to my waist. “And perhaps you’ll learn to trust in me one day. Until then, we will satisfy each other’s needs.”

  As he swirled his finger around my nipple, I took a deep breath, tingling from the heat of his hand. The second he crowded closer, I closed my eyes, planting my hands on the bed. His hot breath cascaded over one of my hardened buds, forcing a moan from my lips. He cupped and squeezed both breasts, kneading my nipples until my legs quivered from the dancing sensations.

  “You are so damn beautiful,” he whispered, his tone dripping with lust.

  “Mmm…”

  “And all mine.” The growl erupting from his lips was predatory and when he engulfed my nipple, sucking the tender flesh between his teeth, I gasped.

  He was so dominating in every way and a master of being able to touch me in all the right places. I allowed myself to fall into the reeling passion as he licked and nipped one bud before moving to the other, taking his time as if he had all night.

  I struggled to get enough air into my lungs, the wave of longing forcing my pussy to leak, juice likely staining the sheets. Subtle whimpers continued to slip from my mouth as the exaggerated sounds of his sucking filtered between us. He was able to drag me into nirvana with such subtle gestures, another shock to my system. I could still feel the tingling effects of the hard spanking, the heat remaining. I couldn’t believe the way he’d punished me, although a significant part of me enjoyed his firm hand.

  Which shocked the hell out of me.

  How could I ever want a dominating man?

  But I did.

  His sounds even more guttural, he licked between my breasts, now pinching my nipples between his fingers. When he nuzzled against my neck, I threw my head back, stars floating in front of my field of vision.

  “I’m going to fuck you again.”

  His words were like sweet music, the promise filtered with the same necessity as before.

  “Yes,” I managed, the single word barely audible.

  He chuckled darkly as he twisted my sore and aching buds, the electric current crackling between us. “That wasn’t a question.”

  “I know.” I couldn’t help but smile as he raked his teeth across the skin of my neck, moving ever so slowly up to my jaw.

  A few seconds later, he ripped away the rest of the sheet, exposing every inch of my naked body. I laughed nervously until he tumbled onto his back, yanking me on top.

  “And you’re going to ride me,” he instructed, his eyes twinkling as he eased his arms behind his head.

  I was surprised he was actually allowing me a few minutes of control. I straddled his hips, running my fingers over his ribcage, marveling in his carved muscles as I continued exploring. He was rock hard, his cock throbbing, the tip glistening from the drops of pre-cum. The man was insatiable, unable to get enough, but I wanted to take my time teasing him.

  Christopher was entirely different than before, as if we had no cares in the world. He seemed to be enjoying watching as I danced my fingers over every muscle, the wry smile on his face one of mischief even in its continued control. He was far more attractive in his relaxed state, his hair tousled from our previous intense round of sex. I could spend hours getting to know every inch of his body, but he would allow me to play but for so long. He was a man with extensive needs after all.

  Various filthy and delicious thoughts rushed into my mind, the unexpected occurrence fueling every move I made. I lifted my pelvis, shifting my glistening pussy over his throbbing cock, rubbing up and down until the friction was enough to make him snarl in the sexiest of ways.

  His chest rising and falling, I had the distinct feeling he was already having difficulty with his patience. I repeated my actions for several additional seconds, slickening his skin with my pussy juice. The scent of our combined sex was overpowering, intoxicating in so many delectable ways.

  “You’re skating on thin ice,” he mumbled, his eyes glassing over.

  “Oh, yeah. How is that?”

  A husky growl was my answer, his upper lip curling.

  “Ride me, baby, or there will be consequences.”

  His playfulness remained a surprise, allowing me to fully enjoy the moment. When my own hunger became too significant, I rolled my fingers up and down the length of his shaft before rubbing the tip up and down my pussy until his pants became more ferocious. The second I slipped the tip just inside, I could see him fighting every ounce of control. I planned on taking my time, easing down an inch at a time, but as usual, my own body betrayed me.

  A series of shudders wrapped around my torso as I sat down with force, thrusting the entire length of him deep inside. The angle was entirely different than before, creating animalistic sounds out of both our throats. As I moved up and down, I dug my fingers into his chest in some crazy method of holding on.

  “Fuck. Yes!” He lifted his hips, meeting every hard plunge, the sound of skin slapping against skin overpowering the music.

  I rocked against him, moving up and down as I squeezed my knees against him. Then I couldn’t hold back any longer, riding him like such crazy wild stallion, bucking in an almost violent manner. He felt so damn good, his cock stretching my muscles, soothing the ache I’d felt since our last round of pleasure.

  “So tight. So freaking wet,” he exclaimed, unable to keep from touching me. He cupped my breasts, his long fingers flexing open as he held me.

  I couldn’t stop panting, whimpers slipping past my lips as I tossed my head back and forth. We both laughed as Baxter huffed, the pup jumping off the bed and strolling out of the room. For once, the oddity of being together as a… family took forefront in my mind, even though the thought was ridiculous. I’d heard what he’d said. We’d simply enjoy each other.

  What if it wasn’t enough?

  I continued my manic actions, every muscle in my body tingling. There was no doubt an orgasm was rushing its way toward the surface, prepared to yank me into another beautiful wave of ecstasy. When I felt it coming on, my body stiffened. “Oh, God. Oh…”

  “My little angel wants to come,” he struggled to say, growling in a low-slung tone.

  “Yes. Yes.”

  “Wait,” he commanded, as if I could actually hold back. “Look at me, baby. Look into my eyes.”

  I bit my lip to keep from screaming as I did as I was told, issuing a series of ragged pants. My heart hammered against my chest, every nerve ending on fire as I attempted to keep the climax at bay. I could tell he was enjoying his control, the same wry smile on his face driving me nuts. Yet, I did as I was told, sucking in my breath as I bucked hard and fast until I couldn’t take it any longer.

  “I can’t. I… can’t!”

  “Then come for me, princess. Come!”

  The raspy tone in his voice was all I needed, my body rocketing into a beautiful wave of bliss. “Oh… Yes. I…” The words were nothing more than a garbled mass of syllables as the first climax rushed into my legs, squeezing and clawing until I climaxed. The scream coming from my mouth was crazed, the sound strangled. I couldn’t stop shaking as a second wave approached, the orgasm even more powerful than before. This time, no sound popped out of my mouth, merely silence as the ecstasy took me into a surreal state of mind and being.