“Are we in some sort of danger?” I dared to ask, thoroughly intimidated by his demeanor.
He shifted his hold on me, and my feet touched the ground. In the same sudden movement, he pushed the front door closed by pressing my back against the wood. His muscular form pinned me in place, and I could feel his racing heart thrumming where his torso pushed into my chest.
“No, florecita,” he assured me, his voice rough and deep.
He trailed his fingers along the line of my jaw, his feather-light touch in shocking contrast to his overpowering weight against me.
“You’re not in any danger.” His dark eyes flashed, his mouth twisting in a scowl. “But everyone else is.”
My stomach did a funny flip, unease stirring. “What do you mean?”
“I mean…” He said the words slowly, his free hand sliding behind my neck to grip my nape. The fingers that had touched my face so tenderly shifted lower. His big palm cradled my jaw, tipping my head back and exposing my throat.
“No one touches you but me,” he finished, the furious tension easing from his muscles.
“Wait, are you upset about what happened in class?” I asked breathlessly, completely thrown by this sudden change in Mateo’s behavior. “That was just part of learning the proper posture. Professor Lassiter didn’t—”
His palm settled at the front of my throat, both of his massive hands encircling my neck. He didn’t apply any pressure, but the assertion of dominance was clear.
“You’re my good girl,” he growled, his onyx eyes glinting. “Mine.”
Despite his aggressive behavior, my heart leapt. “You still want me?” I asked, my voice small, hopeful.
“Of course I want you,” he snarled, white teeth flashing. He pressed his hips more tightly against me, making sure I could feel his thick erection pressing into my belly.
“But I thought…” I took a breath and tried to raise my voice above a whisper. “You wouldn’t touch me this morning. I thought you’d changed your mind.”
He bit out a curse, grinding his hard cock against me. “That was a stupid fucking mistake, and I won’t repeat it ever again. I should know better by now.”
His bulk moved away from me for a split second, just long enough for him to grasp my waist and lift me over his shoulder.
“What are you doing?” I gasped, even as my body pulsed with excitement. My nipples pebbled to needy buds, and liquid heat gathered between my legs. I now recognized the scent of my own arousal, but I wasn’t embarrassed at the prospect that he would be able to tell that I was turned on by his possessive actions.
“I’m going to show you just how fucking much I want you,” he ground out, his hand cupping my ass and kneading my flesh, as though he had every right to handle my body however he pleased.
I shivered and sighed, relaxing into his hold as warmth flooded my being. Most of the heat was a sign of my arousal, but some of the glowing energy filling my chest was the result of sweet relief that he wasn’t disgusted by me.
He carried me down the hall, passing the guest room where I’d been staying ever since he took me hostage. Instead, we entered what I assumed was his room. The stark black tones of the décor against white walls were harshly masculine, the style minimalist and devoid of any whimsical embellishments.
The world blurred around me, and my back was suddenly cushioned by his mattress. I scarcely had time to draw breath before he was on me, his huge body covering mine. My arms lifted, eager to embrace him and hold him close.
He ensnared my wrists, shackling them with one massive hand and pinning them above my head. His other hand found my throat again, pressing his thumb beneath my jaw to tip my head back.
He paused to stare down at me, his rugged features rendered harsh by hunger.
“Do you know how many times I’ve thought about having you like this?” The words were gravelly, his dark eyes burning. “Trapped beneath me, trembling and wet for me. Completely at my mercy.”
“You think about me?” I asked with wonder. I’d pined for Mateo for five years, but I hadn’t thought he was interested in me. Things had become passionate between us since he’d kidnapped me, but I’d never dared to imagine that he’d longed for me, too.
“I think about you all the fucking time,” he swore just before his mouth crashed down on mine.
Mateo’s kiss was ruthless. His lips conquered and claimed, shaping against my own with enough force to leave them swollen and bruised. His iron hold on my wrists and jaw kept me locked in place for his assault.
I stiffened for a moment, shocked and overwhelmed by his sudden aggression. I’d come to expect an unyielding but tender touch from Mateo.