31. Annalise

31

ANNALISE

T he warm water swirls around me, the jets of the hot tub creating a soothing backdrop for the intensity that’s building between Damian and me. Our bodies press close together, our lips locked in a passionate kiss that feels as if it might consume us both.

“Annalise,” he murmurs against my lips, his voice a low growl that sends shivers down my spine. I feel the heat of his body through the thin material of my swimsuit, the hardness of his muscles contrasting with the softness of my own curves. It’s intoxicating, this pull between us, like magnets drawn together by an invisible force.

“Damian,” I breathe, pushing back my doubts and fears to focus on the moment. He pulls me closer, one hand sliding around my waist, the other tangling in my hair as we deepen the kiss. The taste of him is intoxicating, and I can’t help but lose myself in it, my heart pounding in my chest like a wild drumbeat.

I feel the warmth of his chest against mine, the way his arms encircle me protectively. His scent surrounds me, a heady mix of cologne and the unique essence that is unmistakably Damian. My body reacts instinctively, a slow burn igniting deep within me, fueled by our undeniable attraction. I find myself melting into him, yearning for more of his touch, more of his presence.

His hands roam over my body, tracing patterns on my skin that leave trails of fire in their wake. Our kisses become more urgent, more possessive, as if we’re both trying to stake our claim on the other. It’s a dance of desire that has no end, each new touch sparking another wave of need within me.

“God, Annalise, you have no idea what you do to me,” Damian growls, pulling away just enough to gaze into my eyes. The intensity in his gaze is undeniable, a storm of passion and longing that mirrors the tempest raging within me.

“Show me,” I whisper, my voice shaking with the force of my own desire.

He presses his lips against the sensitive skin of my neck. His mouth is hot and hungry, fanning the flames of my desire. My fingers curl into his strong shoulders, gripping him tightly as his tongue teases and explores, sending shivers down my spine.

“Damian,” I moan, unable to contain the pleasure building within me. My body instinctively leans into his touch, craving more of his intoxicating heat.

“Tell me you want this, Annalise,” he growls, his breath warm and ragged against my ear. “Tell me you need me as much as I need you.”

“I do,” I admit, succumbing to the passion that threatens to consume us both. “I want you, Damian.”

His response is immediate and fierce. In one swift movement, he switches our positions, pressing me against the edge of the hot tub with a sense of urgency that leaves me breathless. The cool tiles contrast sharply with the heat radiating from his body, and I gasp at the sensation.

“Look at me, Annalise,” he commands, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that steals my breath away. I find myself drowning in his gaze, unable to look away even if I wanted to.

“Damian,” I whisper, my pulse racing as our lips meet in a searing, passionate kiss. It’s as if a dam has burst within me, unleashing a torrent of raw, unbridled emotion that courses through every inch of my body.

My mind races as Damian’s hands eagerly roam my body, each touch igniting a firestorm of sensation that leaves me wanting more. The world around us fades into nothingness, leaving only the two of us, lost in a whirlwind of passion.

The water in the hot tub churns around us as Damian’s lips leave a trail of fiery kisses down my neck. I can’t help but surrender to this overwhelming pleasure, my nails digging into his back, clinging to him as though he is my anchor in this storm of desire.

“Undress me, Annalise,” he whispers commandingly, his voice a low growl that sends shivers down my spine. There’s no mistaking the power dynamic between us, and I find myself eager to comply, drawn to his raw desire like a moth to a flame.

“Okay,” I say, hesitating for just a moment before reaching for the hem of his shirt. My fingers tremble slightly as I lift it up, revealing the chiseled planes of his chest. His skin is warm and smooth beneath my touch, and I can’t resist tracing the lines of his tattoos with my fingertips, marveling at the intricate designs.

“Keep going,” he urges, his gaze never leaving mine. The intensity in his eyes makes my heart race, and I fumble with the button on his jeans, feeling a thrill of anticipation as I slowly slide the zipper down.

As Damian’s strong hands slide down my hips, I feel the last remaining barriers between us dissolve, leaving nothing but our raw desire. The hot tub water laps around our bodies as we explore each other with a fervor that seems to leave no room for doubt or hesitation.

As he positions himself between my legs, I feel my heart race with anticipation. This is it—the moment when all of our pent-up longing will finally be released, and we will be free to lose ourselves in one another completely.

“Look at me, Annalise,” Damian commands, his piercing blue eyes holding mine captive as he enters me slowly, allowing both of us to savor the sensation of becoming one. A moan escapes my lips as he fills me, inch by agonizing inch, the delicious friction sending waves of pleasure coursing through me.

“God, yes! Damian, please!” I cry out, my nails digging into his muscular shoulders as he begins to move within me. Each thrust brings us closer to the precipice, our bodies moving in perfect harmony as the intensity builds.

“Tell me what you want,” Damian growls, his voice rough with need.

“More!” I beg, the world narrowing to the exquisite sensations he’s igniting within me. “Don’t stop! Please, Damian!”

“Your wish is my command,” he murmurs, his pace quickening as he drives deeper into me, our bodies slick with sweat and desire. The sounds of our passion fill the night air, mingling with the low hum of the hot tub jets.

“Damian!” I scream, feeling the flames of pleasure rise higher and higher until they threaten to consume us both. I can feel it building, that sweet release that will shatter me into a million pieces before putting me back together again.

“Harder, Damian!” I demand, my voice breathless with desire. The fire in his eyes intensifies as he obeys, driving into me with a power that leaves me gasping for air. Every nerve in my body sings under his touch, the heat of our passion engulfing us like a raging inferno.

“Is this what you wanted?” Damian asks, his words punctuated by each powerful thrust as we lose ourselves in the depths of pleasure. My only response is a choked cry, the sensations overwhelming my ability to speak.

“Answer me,” he commands, his grip on my hips tightening as he holds me firmly against him.

“Yes, yes, Damian! It’s…it’s perfect,” I stammer, my mind reeling from the exquisite torture he’s inflicting on my senses. His dominance and control send shivers down my spine, every fiber of my being surrendering to his will.

“Good,” he growls, his lips brushing against my ear, sending another wave of electricity coursing through me. “Now let go, Annalise. Let yourself fall.”

As if on cue, my body explodes into a thousand points of light, the force of my orgasm crashing over me like a tidal wave. I cling to Damian, my nails digging into his back as my world narrows to the incredible sensations he’s wringing from me.

“Damian!” I scream, my vision going white around the edges as the ecstasy threatens to consume me whole.

His movements don’t slow; instead, he continues to drive into me, prolonging my climax until I’m shaking with the intensity of it all. And then, without warning, he flips me around, pressing my chest against the side of the hot tub as he enters me from behind for one final, intense round of lovemaking.

The water laps around us, a stark contrast to the intensity of our passion just moments ago. Damian’s grip on me loosens, and I feel his chest rise and fall with heavy breaths against my back. My own heart hammers in my chest, exhaustion seeping into my limbs as the aftermath of our explosive encounter sets in.

“Annalise,” he murmurs, his voice a low growl that sends shivers down my spine despite the warmth of the hot tub.

“Damian,” I reply, breathless and spent, wondering what lies beneath his untamed exterior. Is there gentleness hidden there, or only darkness?

Without another word, he releases me, and I watch him step out of the hot tub, water streaming down his muscular body like rivulets of molten silver. The air grows colder around me, and I can’t help but feel used and regretful as he starts to walk away without so much as a glance back.

“Wait!” I call out, my voice wavering with uncertainty. “What are you doing?”

“Sometimes, we do foolish things when we’re afraid of losing control.”

“Control?” I scoff, unwilling to allow him the upper hand in this conversation. “You think you can control me, Damian?”

He steps closer, his eyes dark and intense. “No, Annalise. It’s not about controlling you. It’s about protecting myself from losing control over my own emotions.” He reaches out, gently touching my cheek and causing shivers to race down my spine. “Thanks for tonight. I needed it.”

“You used me?”

With that, Damian turns and walks away, leaving me alone in the dim light, warmth from the hot tub contrasting against the cold reality that has settled over my heart.