Ruthless Savior

His other hand roved up from my hip, unerringly finding the mark on my breast where Daniel had grabbed me. Rather than pawing at me, he kneaded my flesh in a firm massage that awoke yet another, long-forgotten pleasure zone. My nipples pebbled to hard, needy buds, and I arched into his touch mindlessly. He growled into my mouth, the primal sound rumbling deep inside me to stimulate my core.

His fingers turned harsher, testing how much I would yield to him. Even when his undulating grasp pressed almost deep enough to bruise, I shuddered and arched closer. My nipples tingled against the inside of my bra, feeling wonderfully overstimulated but also needing more of Raúl’s rough handling.

He found the tight peak beneath my dress, and the first brush of his thumb over my sensitive bud drew a soft cry from my chest. Scorching lines of lustful fire shot straight from my nipples to my clit, which pulsed to life in a desperate, aching throb.

Something long and hard prodded at my belly, and remembered fear shadowed my pleasure at the evidence of his erection. I stilled for barely an instant before his fingers closed around my nipple, demanding my full attention. I whimpered and leaned into the sting, allowing the flare of delicious pain to utterly consume me. Dark memories couldn’t haunt me when Raúl refused to release me from his domineering hands. He commanded my body and invaded my mind. The intense intimacy and foreign sense of bliss drew tears to my eyes.

My hand closed around his nape, anchoring him to me. I needed more of this: connection, protection, pleasure. I needed more of him.

He devoured me, not relenting until my head spun. Even when my knees sagged, I tightened my grip on his nape, my fingernails digging in to hold him close.

He didn’t release me, but his kiss slowed. It seemed his hunger had been sated somewhat, and he’d decided to take his time exploring the shape of my lips, testing my receptiveness to soft, languorous caresses and harsher nips of his teeth.

I loved it all. His protectiveness had allowed him to ease past my defenses and crack me wide open. The dark, sensual nature I’d locked away so carefully surged free, overtaking me with the force of a tidal wave; brutal and inescapable.

I tried to push up onto my tiptoes and take more, but another sharp tug on my hair and warning growl forced me to stay exactly where he wanted me. He sampled me at his leisure, and I melted under his unyielding, tender lips.

Unable to do more than he allowed, I panted against his mouth as I touched my tongue to the scar on his lip. He shuddered and pressed his weight down on me, pushing me deeper into the wall until my breasts were trapped almost painfully against his hard chest.

Overwhelmed by the sweet release I found in his arms, the tears that stung the corners of my eyes finally spilled down my cheeks. He stilled when the wet heat met his lips, and his huge body tensed.

He pulled back, but before he could draw away completely, I grabbed at his shirt, desperate to keep him tethered to me.

His dark, heavy brows drew together, hooding his eyes and dulling their luminous glow. “Did I hurt you?”

“No. I…” The words caught in my throat, but my rational mind slowly coalesced in the absence of his kiss. “I’m not hurt. Not at all.”

He hesitated for a moment, his full lips twisted in a frown. Tentatively, he reached for my face. When I didn’t flinch, he gently wiped away my tears. The tender brush of his thumbs over my cheeks intensified the sting in my eyes, and my chest tightened. More tears spilled, hotter and faster.

I’d already betrayed him. My fierce protector might die because of me, but it was too late to stop what I’d put in motion. Carmen’s allies planned to rescue her in just a few hours, and I couldn’t go back on my word. Not when my inaction would condemn her to more torment at her sadistic captor’s hands.

Even if I did try to back out, no one’s safety was guaranteed at this point. Daniel was intent on overthrowing Raúl’s boss. My refusal to cooperate wouldn’t change that. All it would accomplish was keeping Carmen locked away, allowing her to suffer because of my cowardice.

I blinked up at Raúl, struggling to see his rough-hewn face one last time before I fled. Tears blurred my vision, but I could still make out his frown.

“I’m sorry.” My soft, anguished apology was barely more than a whisper.

“You don’t need to be afraid,” he promised on a low rumble. “I’ll keep you safe.”

I nodded numbly, not daring to speak again. The thick lump in my throat would’ve rendered me mute, anyway.