“Going somewhere?” The cool words had me glancing up at the balcony I just vacated.
Finding it empty, I frowned and looked down. The orange glow of a lit cigarette came into focus first before Remo’s black on black body took shape against the dimly lit exterior. Hands in his pants pockets, he leaned with a shoulder to a pillar.
“Why did you make me run, if you weren’t coming after me,” I grunted, my voice sickly sweet with sarcasm.
A dark chuckle skated through the air, and I cringed at how my body responded. Maybe I was still horny after the kiss I shared with Sean. I ratified. “Yeah, right,” I muttered under my breath. Who was I kidding?
“Let me guess. You run, I chase, I catch you and we fuck?” His tone bored nonchalance, he took the cigarette from his mouth, dropped it to the floor and crushed it with his shoe. I narrowed my eyes at him when he looked up again. He merely grinned. “Too cliched.” He pushed away from the pillar. “When an opportunity presents itself, I like to hunt game, play with its blood before I devour it,” he replied in a voice so calm, it gave me the chills. “You on the other hand makes me want to push your boundaries, test your limits, patiently wait for you to give in.”
“I’ll never give in.”
Another soft laugh tickled the night air with its disdain. “The only limitation to life is the illusions we create, little fox.”
“What?” I snapped, my arms growing tired.
Instead of an answer, he moved closer, holding out his hands. “Jump.” Stupidly, I shook my head. “I can stand here all night until you tire and drop.”
Rolling my eyes, I exhaled harshly, let go of the makeshift rope and dropped. One arm around my upper back, the other under my thighs, he caught me effortlessly. Our eyes locked briefly, mine a glare, and his, a triumphant gleam yet it was his touch that sparked electrical charges to my insanely aroused body
“Let me go.” I squirmed before he mocked the effect he had on me.
“No.” Tightening his hold, he carried me through the open patio doors and stopped in the living room. “I’ll leave on one condition.”
And like a rat to cheese, I fell. “What’s that?”
He neared the couch, set me down on it and stood looking at me. Patiently, I waited for him to speak and when he just stared, I bit my tongue to keep from squirming.
“Either I fuck you or I punish you.”
“Punish me?” I bit out. “For what? I’m still wearing the scars from your last punishment.”
“Scars?” He laughed, an eerily low sound. “That’s a masterpiece.”
The laugh burst out before I could stop myself. “You mean arrogance?”
“No.” He leaned down, his breath fanning across my cheek. “I mean permanence. Scars fade. Ink stays. And so do I.”
The words stunned me.
They settled in my chest, heavier than the adrenaline from the climb, heavier than the guilt still clinging to my skin fromSean’s kiss. I opened my mouth to argue, to tell him he was delusional, but he didn't give me the chance.
His hand closed around my wrist, firm, final, and he pulled. I stumbled forward, off balance, and before I could catch myself, he sat, tugging me down across his lap. My dress rode up, cool air hitting my bare skin. Struggling was a clear waste of time. His forearm settled across my lower back, heavy, anchoring me in place. Besides, I’d rather take the punishment that let him fuck me. If only the space between my legs believed that, I’d be safe.
Regardless, I was draped over him, helpless, my legs dangling, my pride stripped away along with the fabric bunched at my waist.
“Four strikes, little fox,” he said, his voice way too calm for my liking. “Four punishments.”
“For what?” I glanced over my shoulder, hating the subservience.
“For the knife that almost pierced me.”
“Wait, what kni–”
His palm landed sharply against my bare ass, a resounding crack that echoed in the quiet room. The sting bloomed hot and fiery, shocking me into a gasp. I clawed the cushion, needing to hold onto something.
“That was self-defense,” I managed, annoyed with how breathy I sounded.
He didn’t reply, his hand resting on the heat for a moment, rubbing slow, unhurried circles that sent shivers racing down my spine. Then he lifted it again.
