"Then what is it about?"he demanded."Because we were both there at that kiss. We both want sex to happen. But you're fighting me. Working cocktail waitress shifts and moving out of my penthouse instead of signing a contract that will get you anything you want."
"That's why I moved hotel rooms,"I yelled back at him."Because I was afraid I'd sign your stupid contract if I stayed at your place a moment longer."
My confession exploded between us. Fading the confusion and anger from Cole's expression.
"You're afraid?"His eyes dropped to my lips.
And before I could stop them, my eyes raised to his.
I couldn't tell you who moved first, but suddenly Cole's mouth was fused to mine, and he was kissing me with such force that I would have fallen backward if not for his arms wrapping around me tighter than steel bands.
A wild fever consumed me—consumed the both of us—and my back once again hit the wall mirror. But this time, it wasn't just kissing. It was touching and tasting andhands—hands roaming everywhere.
Cole fisted the front of my gorgeous gold sheath dress, and with a ripping sound, the entire front of my body was suddenly exposed.
We both stilled. Did he just do that? Destroy a dress that had to have cost more than a month's worth of rent?
Yes, yes, he did. And his expression showed no remorse. There came only a quick, angry scan of my naked body. Then he was kissing me again with bruising force. His teeth nipped at my mouth before moving to my chin.
"You're not wearing anything underneath,"he accused against my jaw."Bullshit you're not trying to drive me crazy."
“I’m not,”I insisted, even as I let my neck fall back to receive his lips there as well.“I told you I was still getting ready. I was just trying on the dress to make sure it fit."
He let out a low, feral sound against my neck."I need to punish you, Sunny. If you don't want me to, you need to say that now. While I can still make myself stop."
"Punish me?"My mind was consumed in such a thick fog of lust that I could barely get out the question. Or fully process the weird, sick thrill that ran through me."Punish me how?"
Cole let out a sound that was half chuff, half growl. His voice vibrated against the sensitive skin of my throat as he answered."Touch you. Eat you. Fuck you until you beg me to let you come."
Oh, I would never….
I mean, I couldn't let him do any of that.
Could I?
Something about having Cole "Triple Ice" Benton in front of me—not slightly softened, as I'd imagined, but hot and crazed as his lips roved up the column of my throat. Something about that contrast between who I thought he was when we first met and the person threatening to punish me with rough sex made me ask another question I had no business speaking out loud."Touch me where?"
His hand lowered from my breast to the V between my legs, cupping it. Like it belonged to him."I would start here. Use my fingers and tongue to make sure you were ready to take me inside of you—all of meinside you—as you received your punishment for defying me."
His hand was so heavy on my sex. I squirmed then whimpered with the new sensations his words were arousing inside of me.
"Cole..."I whined his name as my hips began moving into his hand with a mind of their own. My entire body had somehow become swollen with desire. More. I needed more....
"What do you want, Sunny?" His voice was dark smoke curling into my ear. "Do you want me to stop right now? Or do you want me to keep going...punish you?Be clear."
"Keep going."The two words dropped out of my mouth on a whisper, my swollen body's ultimate betrayal. A sudden takeover of my vocal cords."Please, keep going...."
"Gladly,"he whispered back in my ear."Just name your terms and conditions so we can sign the contract."
His caveat splashed over me like a bucket of cold water.What am I doing?
I blinked. Shook my head to clear away the fog of lust.
"No!" I answered, voice cracking with my newly refound sense of outrage. "I can't—I'mnotgoing to sign your contract."
He abruptly withdrew his hand and stood up to his full height."Because you're afraid."
There were other reasons, too. But I let my fear lead the defense. "Yes, because I'm afraid."
