The Bad Guy

“And if I say no?” My ears went hot, then cold as he loomed above me.

He gestured toward the flames with the book. “I’ll let the staff roast marshmallows over the fire.”

I fisted my palms. “One kiss. That’s it.”

“That’s all I want. Will you give it to me?” He moved even closer, his scent intoxicating me right along with his evil words.

This was a mistake. I knew it in the deepest part of my soul. Deals with the devil always came back to bite. But I’d be damned if he’d burn my one escape—the one place where I could still be me despite the chains he’d wrapped around me.

I took a deep breath and signed in blood. “Yes.”

He swooped down like a bird of prey. The book dropped to the floor. Resting one hand on my cheek and the other at my waist, he pressed his lips to mine in a rough kiss that took my breath away. I squeaked with surprise, and he slid his palm to my lower back and clutched me to him as his tongue darted along my lips.

I grabbed fistfuls of his shirt as he bent me back. Caught between a raging fire and the flames at my back, I clung to him. He slipped past my defenses, using my surprise against me. When he slid his tongue against mine, he groaned, the sound vibrating into my chest and sending sparks of heat skittering across my skin.

He consumed me, taking every bit he could. His mouth was a weapon, and he used it to break me down until I closed my eyes and returned his touch. God it was wrong, so wrong, and I hated him, but I couldn’t stop my nipples from tightening or the goose bumps that danced along my body as he kissed me. A moan slipped from me, and he ran a hand to my hair, pulling my head back and slanting his mouth over mine.

Owned. This was what it felt like to be owned by someone else. I’d never felt anything like it. Not with Link. The thought sent a crushing wave of shame through me.

I pushed against his hard chest. He didn’t let up, still taking everything he wanted. It felt so good, but I knew it was wrong. Everything in me revolted, and I turned my head away. He growled, but pulled me into a standing position and released my hair. His eyes flicked to my lips, then to my eyes, and he seemed to be on the edge of coming back for more.

More. No. I buried the desire that tried to burn through my reason.

“Leave the books alone.” I side-stepped him and hugged myself. “You got what you wanted.”

He ran his fingers along my exposed neck, and I shivered.

He moved closer, but dropped his hand. “That wasn’t even close to what I want from you.”

16

Sebastian

She spent the rest of the afternoon in the library. I should have left her alone so she could get comfortable, but I couldn’t. Being near her had become a biological imperative, which was ludicrous. Still, I couldn’t shake my need for her.

Our kiss only intensified it, and instead of wondering what her lips felt like, now I wondered what sort of sounds she’d make while I was buried between her thighs. I wanted to explore all of her. But she kept her distance, refusing to even meet my eyes. My mind clicked through our interaction, the way she reacted to me—her tongue tangled with mine, her sweet moan, the way she held onto me. All the signs told me she’d enjoyed it, but instead of taking it further, she’d turned cold and pushed me away. What was holding her back?

The white knight. It had to be. He was a moron on all fronts except his taste in women. I hated every second he’d had with her. Maybe I’d miscalculated when I’d decided to leave him alive. If she loved him, he’d be dead. But I knew with an unwavering certainty that she didn’t.

She sat in a chair near the fire, a notepad in one hand and a book in the other. As she read and scribbled notes, she seemed to be in a different world, one where her captivity didn’t chafe. Eventually, I wanted her to feel this relaxed all the time. And one day, there would be no need for the ankle bracelet or the surveillance I’d set up through the entire house.

I pretended to study more contracts from a chair near one of the windows. Instead, I accessed her text messages via a specialty program that allowed me respond in such a way that it appeared the signal pinged from Brazil. Keeping up the appearance that she was fine was an integral part of my plan to make her eventually disappear.