My stomach tightens. I meekly insist, "Yes, I want my seat."
He steps in closer, the hard planes of his torso pressing me deeper into the wall. "I'm not talking about that, Minx, and you know it."
My pulse jumps under my skin. I swallow, repeating, "I want my rightful seat."
He shakes his head, jaw tight, eyes locked on mine with relentless precision. "At least state the truth."
I shift under him, caught between instinct and desire, power and surrender. His gaze sharpens even more, the kind of focus that warns he won't back off until he drags the truth from me.
My voice thins. "Don't twist things."
He brings his hand to my jaw and tilts my face up toward him. His thumb presses against my chin, steady and commanding. "Admit you want me."
Heat tumbles through my body in a rush that forces my spine to arc against the wall. My breath stutters, and my hand tightens against his chest.
His eyes narrow. "Say it, Minx."
My voice cracks. "I want you."
His mouth consumes mine with a hunger sharpened by hours of denial. His fingers dig into my hips, then slide lower, lifting me effortlessly until my legs wrap around his waist. He moves me through my apartment, his kiss dragging deeper, rougher, and stealing every bit of air inside my lungs.
A low sound vibrates in his chest, reverberating through my own, and his hand grips my head, holding me so I can't retreat from his mouth.
Not that I would.
He pushes open my bedroom door with his shoulder. His hand moves from my head to my zipper and tugs. He drops me onto the mattress and yanks my dress and panties off my body.
His gaze sweeps over me with a promise. He removes his clothes and kisses his way up my legs, teasing my pussy, then continuing upward till his lips are against my knotted skin.
I grip his hair to pull his face to mine, but he won't bypass the scar.
His lips and tongue coax it, exploring the V as if it's something to be cherished instead of hated.
"Brax," I mumble.
His mouth moves to my nipple, and he nips at it.
I sharply inhale.
He tastes each one, then moves to my collarbone, continuing his journey until his forehead presses against mine. He pins me beneath his body, taunts my clit with his cock, and asserts in a warning, "Eternity's a long time, Valentina Abruzzo."
My ragged breath shakes with my lip. I keep my gaze locked on his, spreading my legs open.
He shifts his hips, teasing me further. Through clenched teeth, he adds, "I should leave you here wet and hungry for me." He shifts faster.
I whimper, mouth open.
He tilts his head slightly, narrowing his gaze.
I grip my nails into his shoulder blades and roll my hips with his, daring, "You won't."
"No?" he asks, eyebrows arched, face reddening.
I reach for his ass, lift my hips, and push him inside me. "No," I get out before I moan.
A loud, guttural sound escapes him. He holds still, deep inside me, his gaze turning to dark fire. He grits out, "From here on out, I call the shots."
I hold my breath, my pulse racing for new reasons.
