119
Only after rising onto my tiptoes did I realize the girl I’d followed wasn’t Kennedy after all. Before I had a chance to venture any further inside, I felt a savage pull and was jerked back into the hallway.
Thick fingers wrapped around my throat, and I was pushed against the wall. I immediately slammed my fists against a hard body, fighting with everything I had. “Get off me.”
“I heard you were a little fighter.” The stranger tightened his hold, his fingers digging into my skin.
I wanted to respond, but my heart was in my throat. He had a vengeful look on his face, his strong jaw clenched tightly. I involuntarily dragged my tongue across my dry lips, and he snickered.
“You’re in a restricted area, little pet.”
Little pet.
I was thrown by the use of the two words, and my body’s immediate reaction, my nipples taut.
While I didn’t recognize the man’s deep voice, the husky tone was unsettling. The dim lighting made his features appear ominous. The stranger was very tall, at least six foot five, dwarfing me easily. He was broad shouldered with huge arms, the muscles bulging against his suit jacket. His scent reminded me of a forest just after a rainstorm, fresh and inviting. Yet I sensed danger infused with his use of power.
I continued to fight him even as it felt as if the breath was being sucked from my body.
Nothing could hide his gorgeous, carved physique. His jaw was chiseled, his lips meant for kissing. I blinked several times, fighting the ridiculous urge to see what his mouth tasted like.
“And you’re a very bad girl.”
His seductive tone was tainted with a hint of implied danger. It was also a clear indication Jonas had seen me.
“Don’t touch me.”
He laughed. “I take what I want. That’s a privilege afforded to members of the house.”
His lips were dangerously close to mine, his heated breath cascading across my face.
“Let. Me. Go.” My voice was raspy, my throat closing.
“Mmm… Is that what you really want, Ava ?”
Oh, God. He knew my name.
“No,” I squeaked.
“Aren’t you intrigued by what’s happening in the bowels of this building?” He laughed softly, daring to brush his lips across mine. “Do you want to see hot, sweaty bodies fucking, or would you prefer to participate in a kinky orgy? Maybe you’d enjoy remaining a voyeur. Huh? Maybe you’d like to feel the lash of a whip or be chained naked for the entire party to see. Do you crave humiliation? Would you enjoy if I force you onto all fours, collared and leashed?”
When I didn’t say anything, he gently stroked his finger down the side of my face.
“You’re a psychopath,” I hissed. Oh, great. Entice him even more.
“We’re just men who appreciate a beautiful woman. And you are exquisite.”
The deep rumble of his voice sent a wave of vibrations through me. Why didn’t his words make me sick? I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to turn my head, but he wouldn’t allow it.
“I will enjoy having you as a little pet.”
Pet? The man was absolutely out of his mind. Or he knows about your stories. “Fuck. You.” I needed to get the hell out of here.
“We’ll get to that. I promise you. Every hole will be used appropriately, leaving you wet and sore.”
Rage tore through me and I jerked my arm back and cracked it across his face. He didn’t react, other than the fire in his eyes burning brighter.
Then he yanked my arms over my head, easily wrapping one massive hand around both wrists. He took a few seconds, allowing his heated gaze to fall, enjoying the fact that he was tormenting me.
“You shouldn’t have done that, but I do like a girl with spirit. It makes breaking them much tastier.”
Breaking me. I’d been lured to the party on purpose. I was certain of it. Why? Was Kennedy in on it? If so, why warn me?
“What do want from me?”
“Mmm… your total compliance. Eventually, your complete surrender.”
“A cold day in hell will occur first.” My mouth was dry, my throat starting to close. This entire thing had been nothing but a setup. But for what purpose?
His laugh was throaty, insinuating raw danger as well as primal needs.
Why were my nipples aching, straining against the soft material of my dress?
“That can be arranged, but not before you’re well used.”
I was sick to my stomach, but more so because something stirred deep in my core, a red-hot moment of arousal that embarrassed me. “Who the fuck do you think you are?”
“Weston. And I live up to my name. Are you my little prey, beautiful Ava ? I think you are.” He captured my mouth, and I did what I could to push him away. My actions were worthless. When he tried to shove his tongue past my lips, I managed to keep him from doing so, still wiggling in his hold. Then he pressed his thumb under my chin, the move forcing my mouth to open. He thrust his tongue inside, the kiss rough and passionate.
My heart thudded against my chest, raw and filthy images floating through my mind.
This was just like what I’d written. Oh, God. This was nothing but a game.
The taste of him was sweeter than I’d anticipated. I’d thought someone so vile would taste of acid and bark. Instead, the hint of peppermint and bourbon infused my senses along with his lingering scent of sandalwood and spices, a toxic combination. I was lightheaded, more from the continued pressure he was using. When I realized that I’d arched my back and my fists were clenching his shirt in my fingers, I was mortified.
How could I feel anything other than repulsion for this bastard of a man?
He dominated my tongue, acting as if I belonged to him. Then he slipped his hand under my dress as he used his knee to force my legs open further. I wanted to be repulsed by the touch of a stranger’s hand, but I wasn’t. Another series of electrified sensations shot through me. For the first time in my life, someone was touching me intimately, and it felt so good, igniting the darkness inside.
The kiss became more passionate, his tongue sweeping back and forth aggressively. He rolled the tip of his finger across the front of my thong, and I moaned into his mouth. A part of me was sick inside, but the dazzling vibrations humming through my body accepted his forceful gesture. How could I feel so electric inside when everything about the man was something I abhorred? I arched my back, struggling with the emotions even as electric jolts jetted through every cell.
He toyed with me, sliding his finger up and down the thin lace, obviously able to tell my panties were soaked. When he jerked my thong to the side, easing his hand underneath, another wave of lust curtailed any rational thoughts. The moment he touched my clit, flicking the tip of his finger back and forth, I felt my knees buckling. No. This couldn’t happen. I wasn’t this kind of girl, and especially not with a man who made my skin crawl.
He wasn’t taking no for an answer, teasing then pinching my clit until my entire body was on fire, the need unstoppable.
I started to fight him even as he thrust his fingers inside, pumping several times. Every cell in my body was suddenly ablaze, my pulse skipping. No. No. Even though I’d longed to have someone in my life, it wasn’t about this.
Or him, no matter if he was a perfect god.
Yet I couldn’t get free from his hold as the man collected my moans in his mouth and rubbed his thumb around my clit, pumping hard and fast into my pussy. Stars floated in front of my eyes, the wildfire spinning out of control.
He broke the kiss, a low growl rumbling from his chest. “That’s it, little pet.” He was goading me into a climax, and I couldn’t seem to stop the madness.
My body betrayed me completely as tingles erupted into white-hot pinging stabs of heat.
“Oh. Oh… I can’t. I just…”
“Sshhh… This is a gift, good girl. Take it. It’s only the beginning.”
His voice was melodic, luring me into a nightmare that I couldn’t evacuate from. But even worse, I wasn’t certain I wanted to. I lolled my head, unable to stop the freight train. An orgasm tore through me, and I bit back a scream, aware that several people had walked past, watching my humiliation occur. I’d lost myself completely to the rapture, bucking against his hand just like I’d envisioned myself doing.
He never blinked, the edges of his lips curling.
“What a very good girl indeed.”
His praise was surprisingly appealing, tiny prickles dancing across my skin as a warm flush swept up from my throat.
When he finally backed away, I was breathless, my heart thudding against my chest. My eyes were hazy, but I watched as he slipped his fingers into his mouth, the slurping sound exaggerated but strangely arousing.
“I was right. Very sweet.”
“You’re… terrible.”
