Terrified, Eve broke through the haze and managed to roll off the bed before he grabbed her. She fell to the floor and landed on her bottom. Bones jarred and pain spiked through her spine at the impact, dissipating the edges of darkness. “I didn’t mean to. It was an accident.”
Naked, he leaped over the bed.
She scooted back.
Reynner crouched in front of her, like some wild animal with death in his eyes. Tears crowded hers. Eve tried to find the man she knew, but nothing of him remained in his tortured gaze.
“You came into my mind, took what was not yours.”
“I didn’t mean to. I'm so sorry. I only touched you to—”
“Touched me?” He mocked her. “So you want totouchme? Well, then, go ahead, touch.” Reynner rocked back on his heels and held out his arms.
Eve pushed to her feet, fear swirling through her. His eyes, glowing an eerie black, tracked her. A feral smile rode his face as he, too, rose.
More beautiful than any Greek statue she’d seen, his hair was a wild tangle of silver around his wide shoulders. He had some kind of star on his left pec. Ripped abs, muscled legs. Then her gaze locked on his heavy erection, hard and thick, it reached his navel. Eve took a hurried step back but hit the craggy wall, scraping her skin and leaving her nowhere to run.
He slammed his palms on either side of her head. “Maybe that’s not what you want.” The smile turned sly. A knowing look settled on his face, one feral with carnality. “Maybe you want me to fuck you—it’s what they all want, to own one like me. Is that what you want too, little Eve?”
Slowly, he leaned forward, his body trapping hers against the wall. His thigh slid between hers and shoved her legs apart. Her tunic rose higher. Eve’s heart crashed against her ribs, aware she was naked beneath the thin fabric.
“Please…don’t.” She pushed at the solid wall of his heated chest with balled fists, too scared to touch him again. His body pressed into hers, his arousal a hot pulsing length branding her thigh.
He growled at her clenched hands, uncurled her fingers, and planted them on his chest. Eve breathed in harshly and waited for the onslaught—nothing. He’d already locked down his shields again, she realized.
He lowered his head to hers and sniffed her like some wild animal. She turned her face away.
“No, you don’t.” His hand wrapped around her throat, holding her in place. His thumb stroked the rapidly beating pulse. Eve stared into the eyes of a stranger.
“Afraid of me, are you, little Eve?” he taunted. “This is what happens when you cross the line. Don’t fear, when I’m done with you, all will be forgotten…no, maybe I’ll leave you with memories of me. Would you like that?”
“Stop, please—” She pushed at his chest. He grabbed her hands and held them above her head. Her heart tripped and then pounded so hard, Eve was sure it would burst out of her ribcage.
“I can hear your heart beat.” His husky whisper sent a shiver down her spine. A warm tongue licked her neck, right over her pulse. Her breath came faster. His teeth grazed the throbbing muscle. Pushing his thigh farther up ever so slowly, he brushed her core. She stiffened as desire surged, heating her blood, chasing away her fear. Dampness flooded her.
A roguish smile lit his face. “You’re wet—do you want me, little Eve?”
Like wildfire, heat streaked across her cheekbones in humiliation that he had evidence of her arousal.
“I can do chained to the wall, chained on my back…or maybe I’ll just go down and taste you.” His words had her feminine muscles tightening. “I know you’ll be exquisite—tell me you want me.”
Helplessly, she stared at him.
“Say it.” A demand.
She did, but not like this.
“Reynner, please—” She struggled to break free, but his ruthless hold kept her pinned against the wall.
“Very well, let’s see if I can change your mind.” Releasing her hands, he removed his thigh from between hers and lowered into a crouch. Inch by excruciating inch he raised her tunic, his gaze pinning hers.
The words dried up in her throat as she watched him. She should move away, say no, but her tongue refused to work. He ran his palm up her inner thigh. Then he slipped his hand into her damp curls and she froze. He ran a finger up her wet center and she shuddered.
Eve squeezed her eyes tight as wanton need engulfed her. Her heart threatened to explode. She tried to yank free, unable to handle the sensory overload buzzing through her body, but his grip on her hip tightened.
“Look. At. Me.” At the low order, her lids flew open. His eyes, dark and fierce, held hers. Something intense flickered in those midnight depths.
Need. Hunger?
