"I'm worried about what happens when I find you like this," I say, my voice sounding like gravel. "Half-naked and smelling like you're ready to be fucked. Smelling like you're already drenched and waiting for my cock to stretch you out."
"I'm not half-naked," she argues, glancing down at her shirt. "And I don't think I own a single inch of my own body anymore. You've made it very clear who's in charge of every breath I take under this roof."
"Damn right".
I look at her. Really look at her. Her hair is a messy riot of curls, tumbling over one shoulder. Her lips are parted, pink and swollen, begging to be bitten. Her eyes are dark pools of desire mirroring my own.
Running would be the smart choice for her. Pushing me away, terrified of the scarred, violent man cornering her in the dark. She leans toward me instead.
That small movement snaps the last thread of my control.
"You have no idea what you're doing," I murmur, my gaze dropping to her mouth.
"Maybe I do," she breathes.
The defiance in her eyes is the spark that lights the fuse.
I don't think. I react.
One of my hands leaves the counter and wraps around the back of her neck, fingers tangling in her hair, gripping tight enough to control but not enough to hurt.
I tilt her head back to get at her throat, then slam my mouth onto hers. It’s messy and hard, the agony of wanting her after that first kiss finally boiling over.
I take her mouth like I own it, forcing my tongue past her teeth to claim what’s mine. I don't give her a choice but to take me.
She tastes like peppermint tea and sweetness. She tastes like mine.
Bianca makes a noise in the back of her throat—a whimper that vibrates against my lips—and melts against me. Her hands come up, tentatively at first, then clutching at my bare shoulders, fingers digging into my skin. She doesn't fight. She meets me.
I groan and press myself against her. She’s small compared to me, all soft curves against my muscle. I shove her back against the counter and step between her legs, my heavy cock pressing against her through my sweatpants, hard as iron. She’s soaking wet, and I can feel the heat of her pussy dripping right through her shirt, branding my thighs with her scent. I’m hard as iron, and the pressure is starting to hurt. I want to lift her onto the counter and rip that shirt off. I want to spread her legs wide and bury my cock so deep she forgets everything but me.
I kiss her jaw, her neck, sucking a bruise onto the sensitive skin right below her ear. Marking her. Every man in this town needs to look at her and see my claim.
"You're mine," I growl against her skin, the words vibrating through her. "You understand that? You don't look at the others. You don't smile at the rescue boys. You're mine".
"Shane...". She arches her back, pressing her breasts against my chest. Her hands are in my hair now, pulling me closer, fueling the fire. "Yes. God, yes".
The surrender in her voice is nearly my undoing. Taking her right here, on the kitchen island, would be so easy. Satisfy the hunger that’s been clawing at my insides.
Lightning flashes, illuminating the kitchen in a stark, white burst.
I see our reflection in the dark window across the room. A massive, tattooed beast of a man devouring a small, soft woman. Dangerous. I look like the thing I’ve spent my life protecting people from.
I freeze.
What the hell am I doing?.
She’s the nanny. Innocent. She’s here to bring light into Maddie’s life, not to be dragged into the darkness of mine. If I take her, there’s no going back. I’ll ruin her. I’ll pull her into the club’s orbit, into the crosshairs of people like the Costas.
And I won't ever be able to let her go.
I tear myself away from her, breathing heavy, chest heaving like I’ve just run a marathon up the mountain.
Bianca stumbles slightly without my support, gripping the counter behind her. Her lips are red and swollen, hair wild, chest rising and falling rapidly. She looks thoroughly ravished.
She looks beautiful.
I take a step back, putting distance between us before I lose my resolve and grab her again. My hands shake. I clench them into fists at my sides.
