“How quickly you forget, love.” He inclines his head and gives me a half-smile. “I’m pretty sure I made myself very clear earlier that I own you.”
Yes, he most certainly did. And I really don’t need the reminder right now.
Thisis too much.
“I’m not doing this with you. I’m going back to the bar.” I point to the door. “And you… you can stay here.”
I push up from the chaise. My hand barely leaves the armrest before his fingers wrap around my wrist, pulling me back.
“Sit,” he murmurs.
“No.” I glare at him. “I didn’t agree to be dragged around like your?—”
In a blink, he catches my arm and pulls. A soft gasp escapes me as I fall, landing right across his lap. Heat rushes up myneck as his arm bands around my waist, holding me there firmly, unyielding.
“You really think I’m going to let you walk away and hang out at the bar by yourself?”
He tilts my chin with two fingers, forcing my gaze to his until we’re staring eye to eye. Heat floods my skin, rushing up my spine in a way I can’t control.
His other hand slides to my hip, slow and claiming, his thumb pressing into my flesh like he’s memorizing it. Like he already has.
He holds me there, studying me like he’s deciding what part of me to ruin first.
The look is so potent I go still, caught between defiance and something far more dangerous.
My heart thunders so loud I feel it in my head. I should move, push him away, say something—anything—but my body betrays me. Heat coils low, fierce and unreasonable, then desire curls through my veins like a warning I’m too stunned to obey.
“Knox—”
I don’t get the chance to protest. His mouth claims mine in a searing kiss that steals the words, the air, everything.
His warm, firm lips suck all logic out of me, rendering me dizzy. Then his strong, hard body molds against mine, his tongue parting my lips as he cups the back of my neck to deepen the kiss.
He explores my mouth like he wants to conquer every inch of me. And just like that, his harsh, abrasive exterior dissolves into passion.
We’re kissing. Us. How in the hell did this happen?
I can’t breathe. God, I can’tbreathe. I’m not even sure my heart is still beating. But I feel this. This kiss.
He tastes delicious, and like sin. I never knew desire could have a flavor until Knox Vale’s mouth was on mine.
Suddenly, he grips my thigh, and the place between my legs throbs.
His hand moves higher, lifting the hem of my skirt. Then he’s touching my bare skin.
Thick fingers glide across to my panties, pushing against the fabric and into my pussy.
I whimper into his mouth and roll my hips like I’ve lost my mind.
His lips skim from my mouth to my jaw, a trail of fire that snaps a sliver of awareness through the haze. I try to pull back to gather a shred of sense, but he clamps an arm around my waist and drags me flush against him.
Then his mouth finds mine again, firmer this time, a claiming stroke that steals the breath straight out of me.
“You are… such an… asshole,” I manage, my voice breaking. “What the hell are you doing to me?”
His fingers flex on my hip. “Teaching you a lesson, love.”
“What kind of lesson?” The words stumble out like they’re tripping over my heartbeat.
