Angel sucked in her breath looking up at him, at the intensity of his face. His gaze was searing hot, wild and hungry. Her pulse jumped. She looked at his mouth, and a wave of liquid heat washed through her. This was insane, how could she be attracted to him?
Angel swallowed hard as temptation swept through her. She wanted to tell him, no, stop, but her eyes fell to his mouth, and all she could think about was what it would feel like to kiss him.
She met his eyes and realized he was thinking the same thing a split second before he lowered his head, claiming her mouth. His mouth was hard and merciless, forcing her lips apart under the onslaught of his kiss. Crazily she noticed little details, like how soft his golden blond facial hair was as it brushed against her skin, the feel of his tongue as it delved into her mouth, the male scent of him. He lie on top of her, and she felt crushed and completely breathless. When she would have moved her head away to escape, to breathe, to claim some sanity, she felt his hands release her wrists and slide into the hair on either side of her face, holding her pinned. He kissed her roughly, wildly. Her body arched against him, and her lips softened under his as she felt the flame of desire curl through her belly. She raised her left leg, bending at the knee, pushing her boot heel into the ground, pressing her hips up.
***
Cole felt her melt against him in total submission, and he groaned deep in his throat. His mouth softened on hers, his kiss becoming gentle. He ran his right hand down her side, over her hip and bare thigh. His hand cupped the back of her knee and pulled her closer, molding her tighter against him. This little wildcat, who’d been all claws earlier, was now responding to him with a sweetness that heated his blood. He wanted her. Right now, right here. He tried to tell himself he didn’t give a fuck what she would think of him afterward. She could think the worst of him and it would all be true. He was a man who took what he wanted. There was no honor in him, he told himself as his hand moved to the buttons on her shirt. Why should he stop? He hadn’t been the kind of man that did the right thing for years now. His mouth trailed down her throat and lower as he pulled open her shirt.
***
Angel’s eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at a sky full of sparkling stars, and suddenly felt Cole at her breast pushing her bra to the side, his mouth closing over her nipple. He sucked on it, and her back arched off the ground as the sensation tore through her. His palm moved over her exposed smooth belly. She sucked in her breath.
She felt the cool night air on her nipple, wet from his mouth. Her stomach trembled under his hand. What had she been thinking? She didn’t know him at all, and she didn’t trust him. He was a stranger to her. And he was dangerous. Angel was aware of her position—handcuffed, helpless. He could do anything he wanted, and she couldn’t stop him. The thought scared her to death. The anticipation was just as terrifying.
“No.” The word barely audible. She swallowed hard and pushed against his back and shoulders with her cuffed hands. “No, please. Stop.”
***
Cole felt her hands on him. It was the feel of the cold metal of her handcuffs at the back of his neck that jerked him to his senses. His hand stilled on her stomach. He raised his head and looked down at her.
Cole saw the panic take over her. Guilt washed over him. The small shred of conscience that he still possessed stopped him. Goddamn, what kind of animal had he become? What was he doing? He was no better than Chuck. He pulled back and adjusted her clothing. He took a deep breath. The idea of hurting her cut deeper than he wanted to admit. He brushed her hair back from her temple, looking into her eyes. “I’m sorry. I swear I never meant for this to happen. I promised you I wouldn’t hurt you, and I meant it.” He found himself wondering why he was explaining anything to her.
He got to his feet and pulled her up. Then he bent to retrieve his knife, returning it to its sheath.
***
Angel watched him silently, trying to figure him out. He’d backed off instantly when she’d asked. That surprised her. Shocked her, actually. Did he really mean it when he said he wouldn’t hurt her? Was he really just trying to help her?
“That’s twice you got the drop on me.” He admitted reluctantly. Then continued with a smile. “I guess that’ll teach me not to let my guard down around you.”
She watched as his hand ran across the knife mark on his vest.
“I hope you realize that you came just a couple inches from finding yourself all alone out here.” He gave a short laugh. “Who’d have guessed a little spitfire like you would almost be the death of me.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, realizing what she’d almost done. Wondering how he could joke about it.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not the first time I’ve cheated the reaper.” He grabbed her by the upper arm and yanked her to him as he turned and walked back toward his bike.
She submitted as he pulled her back to where he had left the blanket. She began to shiver uncontrollably.
He let her go and grabbed the blanket.
“I thought you were going to rape me. That’s why I ran,” she suddenly felt the need to explain, her teeth chattering from the cold and exhaustion.
He looked over at her. “I almost just did.”
She said nothing, just stared at him.
“You don’t trust me. I guess I can’t blame you. But it won’t happen again. You have my word, for whatever it’s worth.”
She studied him, wondering if he could lie to her and stare right in her eyes while he did it.
“Come here,” he demanded, holding his hand out to her.
She backed up a step, shaking her head.
“C’mere,” he repeated threateningly.
She looked down at his hand, knowing if she didn’t come to him, he’d just come after her, and she’d already pushed his temper to the limit.
***
Cole stared her down. He could see the defiance written in the greens of her eyes. He could see she was going to challenge his authority at every turn. She needed to learn to submit. The sooner, the better. They were going to have to work on that. He blew out a breath, his patience about at an end. “Look, Angel. It’s been a long fucking day and I’m beat. I just want to get some rest. That’s all. I swear. Don’t fight me, sweetheart.”
Hesitantly, she went to him.
Cole sat down and leaned back against the boulders. He pulled her down in front of him and nestled her between his legs covering them both with the blanket.
She began to struggle again.
“Quit!” He tightened his arm around her, holding her close, and after a while she stopped struggling and sat there stiffly. “Body heat’s all we got to keep warm,” he said tersely. When he did nothing further, he could feel her begin to relax as the warmth of his body began to seep into hers. He took a long drink from the bottle he’d brought, and then he held it up to her. “Here. Take a drink.”
She turned her head away. “No, thanks.”
“I’m not asking you, I’m telling you. Take a drink,” he ordered.
She looked over her shoulder at him defiantly, but made no move to take the bottle from his hand.
He shook his head. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way, darlin’.”
“What do you mean?”
“I can pour it down your throat, if that’s the way you want it.” Her mouth parted, and he saw the realization dawn on her face that he was serious. He raised his eyebrows. “I’m waiting.”
She took the bottle and drank, choking and gagging on the raw, burning liquor. She handed the bottle back, glaring at him through watering eyes.
“You need to learn to do what you’re told.”
She stiffened.
He smiled. Yep, they were going to need to work on that. “It’ll warm you up, okay? That’s all. I’m not trying to get you drunk and take advantage of you.”
She looked away.
“You don’t have much of a sense of humor, huh?”
She didn’t say anything.
“Yeah, I guess I wouldn’t either in your position,” he admitted.
He felt the whiskey warming its way down to his stomach, and he knew she had to feel it warming her as well. She watched him take several more hits off the bottle. When he noticed her watching him, he held the bottle out to her, and this time she took it eagerly.