Slap. Slap. Slap.
A pained cry fought its way free, but it quickly turned into a moan as Ryker pushed inside me. He held my hair in his tight grip, not allowing me to move. His hips slapped against my burning ass, the pain mingling with my pleasure in a way that had my toes curling.
“You can fight me all you want, Cadence,” Ryker panted. “But you and I both know that this pussy was made for me.”
“I won’t keep repeating myself, Ryker. I’m not your possession. And if you want any kind of future with me, you’d better learn that I am not someone you can intimidate into giving you what you desire. Or was my dagger in your shoulder too subtle for you?”
What the hell was I saying?
I didn’t wish for a future with him, yet I’d been unable to stop the words spilling from my mouth.
Ryker’s hips bucked, and animalistic snarls filled the room. “That was merely foreplay, Temptress. You’re greedy for my cock, and you know it.”
“It’s impressive, I’ll admit. But you’re not the only man with such promise.”
A sound that was half beast and half man was my only warning before Ryker’s fangs sank deep into my shoulder. Shadows swept through the chamber, swirling and dancing around me, grazing my nipples and lightly brushing against my clit.
Tremors shook my frame with unwavering intensity as Ryker forced my orgasm from my body. Tears sprang to my eyes as the pleasure became too much, and my arms collapsed beneath me.
Behind me, Ryker continued to thrust inside me, all remnants of restraint disappearing as he let his beast roam free.
“You’re welcome to try and entice other men to your bed, Cadence,” he said. “But know this: any man reckless enough to accept the invitation will be sealing his own fate.”
I wanted to argue, but my words were incoherent mumbles.
Ryker thrust into me one last time, and he groaned as his come filled me, painting my walls with his claim. He collapsed on top of me. His muscular physique pressed into me, as the heat radiating from him burned me everywhere our skin touched.
The sound of his pounding heart and his harsh breathing assaulted me. For reasons beyond my understanding, I felt comforted, wrapped in his embrace, his large body protecting mine.
The same arms that held me captive. The same hands that ended the life of my mother, and maybe his mother, too.
No, that wasn’t fair. Ryker had played no part in the events of his conception. He couldn’t be held responsible for what his father had done.
After a long silence, Ryker finally spoke. “We need to stop doing this to one another, Cadence.”
“Doing what?”
“Hurting each other for the sake of it.”
I rolled to my side, dislodging him, as I examined his face. But I couldn’t discern any hint of what he was feeling. His handsome features remained devoid of emotion.
“That’s easy for you to say, Ryker. You’re not the one living inside a gilded cage.” I raised my arm in the air, shaking my wrist to emphasize the cuffs still firmly in place.
“I gave you freedom once before, Cadence, and you betrayed my trust. What do you expect me to do?”
“For you to treat me like a partner, not a damn pet.”
I sucked my lower lip between my teeth. It seemed my mouth had a will of its own and no amount of scolding would bring it back under my control.
My plans never accounted for Ryker remaining in my life. I intended to flee, taking my brother and my unborn child to a place far beyond his reach.
So, why was I making empty promises that I had no intention of keeping?
“And that wasn’t freedom. You’ve merely swapped one chain for another.” The memory of the collar pressed against my throat made my skin prickle.
“You still need time to accept your life here, Cadence. Once you’ve settled in, once you have accepted our bond, then you’ll have all the freedom you desire. For now, I must take measures to protect you from your own stubbornness.”
My hands clenched into fists at my sides. The condescension in his voice made my blood boil.
