But he wasn’t finished.
The strikes were slow but brutal, the thick strap catching me on every inch of my bottom as well as the tops of my thighs. The haze of agony was intense, so much so I found myself flying mentally to veil the pain.
Alexander kicked my legs further apart, the only sound I managed to concentrate on his continued heavy breathing. The caress of his fingers was infrequent but powerful. Or maybe in my mind all time had stopped.
Another four savage cracks and I threw my head back. An intense shift had occurred with agony turning to something more obtrusive. Pleasure. My inner thighs were wet, the thick haze of lust mixing with the slow combustion of the scent of my desire. How could I want this man? How could I tolerate him touching me, tempting me?
“You’ve had enough.” The deep timbre of his voice pushed the haze onto an entirely different plane. Surreal. Exciting.
Far too tempting.
When I murmured, he was encouraged, slipping his hand between my legs. I stiffened in reaction. The desire was real.
But so was the reality.
I couldn’t want this. Nothing good would come from him touching me or developing a connection of any kind.
He was still a monster and I would always be an officer of the law.
Maybe I’d pay for my actions, but I moved away, providing a resounding no. Grabbing my skirt and thong, I turned around to face him, refusing to wince. I’d never allow him to see he’d bothered me in any way.
He stared at me for the longest time before backing away. His reply wasn’t stated in words, but with a loud hiss of frustration.
But at least for now, he left me alone.
CHAPTER 9
Alexander
I’d experienced fury dozens of times in my life, anger that could only be described as dangerous. With a look alone, I provided a perfect understanding of what the person on the receiving end could expect.
That’s why I’d been the first in the family to be called the Prince of Darkness. Without issuing a single command, my men knew what to do. The victim of my unstated rage quickly learned my silence didn’t mean weakness or tolerance.
With Catherine, I felt the same sense of anger, but for an entirely different reason than with any man.
She refused me.
Yes, she’d accepted her punishment, likely because she knew she had no choice. But in choosing to ignore my slight advance, she’d taken control. Rejection was an irritation I wasn’t used to dealing with.
And I didn’t like it one goddamn bit.
However, I wasn’t going to alter my personality or shove aside the respect I had for women and force myself on her. That wasn’t in my genes. My conviction didn’t mean my desire had lessened or that I had plans on letting her go any time soon.
Her lower lip was pouted in defiance or maybe continued disgust with me. She didn’t take her eyes off me as she hurriedly hid her nakedness from me. My eyes were immediately drawn to the tear in her shirt and the dirt on her skirt. When she’d nearly fallen into my arms from the twist of her ankle, I’d had real concern.
I’d stood in front of my neighbors, feeling the heat of their angry eyes on me bantering with a woman I barely know.
One I craved more than I had any other.
We’d be the talk of the neighborhood. I’d need to have Jarvis instruct our computer experts to scrub the internet. I had no doubt at least one picture would surface. Seeing her lower lip quivering, I allowed my concentration to drift to its lush surface. All I could think about was kissing that soft mouth into submission.
Far too many lurid thoughts shoved aside what I should be fixated on, including finding my father’s killer. Instead, the scenarios revolved around ones of her eyes closed and of her back being arched in pleasure as I drove my tongue deep inside her sweet pussy.
After that, she’d scream my name, begging me to fuck her. First, I’d fuck the defiance from her lips before thrusting my cock deep inside her tight cunt.
With another sigh, I grabbed my drink from before, powering it down to try to calm my nerves and my desires. There were things to be done and even though I’d laid some rather desperate claims on her, the truth was that I couldn’t keep her but for so long like a caged animal.
People would come looking for her and I’d be the obvious choice with her disappearance. I dragged out my phone, placing a call to my baby sister. At least she could provide assistance without questions being asked from the wrong person.
