Page 44 of Take Me Darkly

I frowned, confused by her hesitation, but then understanding quickly dawned. A quiet laugh escaped my chest before I could stop it. The sheer vulnerability of her confession undid me completely. The situation was absurd and endearing and so perfectly her.

“It’s not funny, Anton. I probably look like a spotted Dalmatian who left the groomers too early.”

I caught her chin, forcing her to meet my eyes. “Serena, stop. Do you trust me?”

“Yes, but⁠—”

“There are a thousand ways I can make you come tonight without causing you a second of discomfort.” I murmured, pressing a reverent kiss to her palm. “You are flawless to me. Exactly as you are. Do you trust me?”

She swallowed hard, her blue eyes shining in the dim light. “Yes.”

“Good. Now lie back.”

She collapsed back onto the satin. I rose over her, taking in her flushed skin, heaving chest, and drenched core.

“You are so fucking beautiful it hurts,” I growled, my hands sliding up her ribcage to cup her breasts. “Say you’re mine.”

“I’m yours,” she gasped as I pushed a finger deep inside her wet heat.

“Say it again.”

“I’m yours, Anton.”

“That’s right.” I leaned down, capturing one tight nipple in my mouth, suckling hard. She arched wildly off the mattress, her fingers tangling in my hair. “And I’m going to spend the rest of the night proving it.”

I lavished her breasts with my tongue and teeth until she was writhing beneath me, her hips rolling blindly against my hand.

“Please,” she whimpered. “Anton, please...”

“Tell me what you need, princess.”

“I need you inside me. I want to come.”

“Oh, you’ll have me. All of me.” I looked up at her, holding her gaze. “I’m going to claim you, worship you, fuck you. I want to show you that you’re the most important thing in my world. And when I make you come—and I will make you come, over and over—I want you to scream my name. No one else will ever touch you like this. You belong to me.”

“Yes,” she choked out, her walls gripping my finger tightly. “Yes, I’m yours.”

Every nerve in my body ignited at those words. She was mine—every gasp, every shudder, every drop of ecstasy belonged to me. What we had was holy in its own way, and giving in to this dark desire wasn’t weakness or a sin.

It was freedom.

Chapter Fourteen

Serena

* * *

Every nerve in my body was on fire.

Anton stood between my thighs, his dark eyes holding mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. The black satin sheets beneath me were cool against my overheated skin, a stark contrast to the heat radiating from his body as he loomed over me.

“Up,” he commanded, his voice rough with desire.

He gripped my hands and pulled me to my feet, my legs trembling as I fought to find my balance. The room spun slightly—whether from champagne or arousal, I couldn’t tell. Probably both. His large hands braced my waist, his thumbs stroking the sensitive skin just above my hips.

From hidden speakers in the walls, music began to pulse through the room. “The Devil Made Me Do It” by Esme Rose filled the space, the sultry female vocals invading my senses. The track was dark, heavy, and seductive, built on a foundation of deep bass that seemed designed for pure, unadulterated sin. The rhythm beat in exact time with my heart—slow, deliberate, dangerous.

Anton reached for the champagne bottle, refilling his glass before bringing it to my lips.