And for the first time in a long time, there’s no thought, no hesitation, no worries or fucking medical conditions. Only her.
She’s running, and I’m already lost.
SADIE
I can’t believe I’m doing this. My feet pound the sand as I run like my life depends on it, my heart slamming against my ribcage with every step I take.
I lose the sound of him by the time he shouts four, his voice drowned out by a combination of the crashing waves, my harsh exhalations, and the rush of blood through my ears.
But I know he must be close to running. Close to chasing. And my body is already reacting. My nipplespebble, my thigh muscles tighten, heat blooms low in my belly. Every nerve is awake, my skin alive to the salt air and the thought of him somewhere behind me, ready to catch.
Fear shouldn’t feel this good, this wild, this freeing. But it does. The sand gives beneath my feet, my muscles burning as I push harder, knowing he’s coming for me. Knowing he’ll close the distance between us in no time. Determined to make him work for it.
But I don’t look back. I want to feel him before I see him. And looking back would slow me down. I’m not going to let him win that easily.
The wind shifts, and then I hear his footsteps. Muted at first, then louder. The bastard calls out to me.
“You need to run faster than that.”
He barely sounds breathless. Like this is easy for him. But I hear the desire too, low in his voice. Thick. Like he’s closing in on his prey, and it excites him.
My legs pump harder, sand spraying up behind me as I push myself forward, but the sound of him only grows louder. Every muscle in my body is screaming for mercy.
He’s keeping pace with me. Like he’s toying with his prey. Every breath I take feels raw, torn from my chest, but I don’t slow down. I can almost feel him behind me, close enough that the hairs on my neck rise. The thrill of it floods through me, sharp and addictive. He’s coming for me, and god help me, I want him to.
I can’t remember the last time I felt so stupidly alive. So achingly aware of every step I take. And when I hear him get closer, enough for his breath to mix with the pounding of my heart, something inside of me turns loose.
His fingers brush the top of my arm and I squeal. I know he’s got me but I keep running. Excitement tightens mystomach, like I’m on the edge of something I can’t come back from.
And then he grips me. Slowing me. Slamming me against his chest as his arms encircle my body. I let out a scream as he lifts me like I’m weightless, and his hand immediately covers my mouth.
He holds me so tightly I can feel the hard ridge of his desire press into my ass.
Oh God, he likes this too.
“Did you really think you could beat me?” he murmurs, like he knows his words turn me on. “Do you know what happens to women who don’t do as they’re told?”
My whole body tingles like it’s about to explode. I know he’s only playing a role. Saying what the book says. But dammit, it’s hot as hell.
His hand still covers my mouth as I try to regain control of my breaths.
“Do you feel how turned on I am?” he whispers. “I could take you now if I wanted to. Push you to your knees. Force you to swallow me.”
My legs start to tremble. There’s a steady pulse between them. The thought of him pushing me down makes me ache for it.
“Are you turned on?” he murmurs. His hand splays out on my stomach, then he moves it down, his fingers tracing the waistband of my shorts, where they cover my hips.
“You want me to touch you?” he whispers. “Like in the book?”
My heart clenches at how he’s still asking. Still checking. Getting permission. Like I’m more than just a fantasy being played out on the beach. I let out a breath and nod. I don’t want it. Ineedit. I think I might die if he doesn’t. My whole body is throbbing. Aching for him.
He slides his hand beneath the elastic, letting out a soft oath when he realizes I’m not wearing any panties. He’s so hard against me I wonder if he’s on the edge too. Then he reaches my core, groaning as he slides a finger against me.
“You’re so wet for me. You like this, don’t you?”
I nod against his hand. His other is cupping my sex, his finger circling my clit. My hips rock against him as he increases the pressure. Then he lowers his mouth against my neck, biting hard enough to make me yelp. He lets out a hum, then kisses the skin there, soothing it with his tongue.
“I’m going to let go of your mouth,” he whispers. “Do you promise to be quiet?”
