Chapter 18

Sara

I liked it rough.

I'd never realized I had.

Until him.

When he'd clamped his hand around my throat, the flash of terror had boosted the level of adrenaline. I'd been lightheaded but not because he was cutting off my air supply.

Excitement.

He'd torn up Pandora's Box, smashing the lid and crushing the padlock. There was no going back now. We were both driven to the kind of shadows and pitch-black locations in our minds that should terrify most people.

But we weren't most people.

We were on the fringe of insanity.

The thought was riveting. Still, I had so many questions that needed answers and not just about the horrible things his father had done or just how far he and his brothers had gone in the dozens of hunts. I wanted to know everything that made this man tick, everything that kept him above the rest by a mile.

I could only imagine what my friends would say right now if they saw me like this.

How was this man, this brutal and savage killer able to drive so much electric excitement into my body? How had he managed to have such a strong effect on me that I was at the point of losing my mind from the pleasure?

And most important, how in God's name had I allowed any of this to happen?

Fantasies for women like me just didn't come true. I'd always considered myself a plain Jane, cute and all-American. This gorgeous and sinful man could have any woman he wanted.

But not only was he thinking of me as his shiny new toy, I sensed he was obsessed. He'd followed me.

He'd stalked me.

He'd watched everything I'd done.

And I had no doubt he'd been inside my room. The thought of how his aftershave had lingered in my private spaces, the very one he was wearing tonight was sinful and should terrify me.

But just as my body had betrayed me, enjoying the utter bliss he was providing, I'd also become wet and hot all over from the spanking.

And he'd sensed it, his eyes boring into mine the entire time.

Easton wasn't finished either.

It was crazy and out of control but as he swept his tongue around my oversensitive clit, I shuddered to my heated core. I was certain my body was going to combust, every inch of skin tingling and more alive than I'd felt my entire life. He was a master at this, his tongue a creation of beauty, his full lips tempting the bad girl out into the open.

However, what he was doing with his long fingers was going to drive me into sheer madness. I was bucking involuntarily, my whimpers and ragged screams something I couldn't control.

"My beautiful, obedient girl," he whispered, his voice dripping with lust. I clenched my eyes shut much the way my pussy muscles were clamping around the thick invasion.

All I could think about was how much I wanted his cock plunging hard and deep inside instead.

But he was keeping my legs open, burying his face in my wetness. I lifted my head again, marveling at the way he was shifting his head back and forth, his deep growls far too enticing. I felt as if I was spiraling out of control. I certainly knew I was losing my mind, little bit by bit. How were we supposed to work side by side without feeling the need to…

To fuck?

I laughed softly until the next blissful wave of raw ecstasy tore through me. The only orgasms I'd had before him were the ones I'd given myself with my trusty vibrator. Even then, they weren't nearly this powerful and wild.

I was bucking so hard I was certain I could toss myself off the table completely if he hadn't been holding me down. How could anything this wrong feel so damn good?

As I eased back onto the table, falling into the sweet release, every muscle continued to convulse.

Only when I started to come down from the euphoric clouds did he press a series of kisses on one quivering thigh then the other. Even the way his lips made me tingle was insane.

I made tiny mewing sounds as he continued to growl, already exhausted but every inch of my body was tingling. Who knew pure euphoria could be this incredible?

When he finally stood, I tried to watch his every move, but focusing was almost as difficult as breathing normally. Yet as he jerked off his shirt by the back collar, tossing it aside, I rose up onto my elbows, refusing to miss a thing. It was weird how a part of me couldn't get the answers he'd provided out of my mind while the other was lost in how insanely gorgeous he was.

It was as if he'd been created for me alone, almost like I was Eve and he was Adam.

I had no idea where that had come from, but as I licked my dry lips, I allowed my gaze to fall to his rugged hands as he started to unfasten his belt.

Taking his sweet time to do so.

Of course he was doing that on purpose, trying to boost the desire to the point I'd become as much of an animal as I sensed he could be. Whatever the case, I was torn with wanting to jerk off his clothes myself and to do nothing more than watch the strip show.

I chose the latter, trying everything I could to stay focused.

This was the kind of fantasy that only occurred in books. I ought to know since I'd read enough of them in my time. As he unzipped, he gave me a wicked smile on purpose, teasing me as I'd done to him.

I still couldn't believe I'd been so forward with him, but now I was almost grateful I was able to let go. If it was true that there was one man for every woman, had karma been kind or was she just taunting me like so many aspects of my life had done before?

"You're hungry, sweet Sara."

Even the way he said my name was provocative. "Always."

"You're a good eater." His eyes lit up, his upper lip curling. "I appreciate a woman who enjoys her food. I find that sexy as hell."

"Only certain delicacies."

"I guess I'll need to keep that in mind. Won't I?"

As he peeled away the rest of his clothes, I was torn between asking him to stay where he was so I could bask in his beauty and reaching for him. He took a deep breath when he was finished, stretching out his arms to the sides and throwing back his head.

Now he was just showing off on purpose.

And I was watching.

And admiring.

And hungering.

He was doing this on purpose, just like everything else in his life. He was also making good on his promise to not only push my boundaries but force me to lose my inhibitions. I agreed with him that writing the kind of book he'd planned meant we needed to discover and keep open the most vulnerable part of ourselves to creatively bring the words to life.

Writing wasn't just about putting words on paper but pulling the reader into that very moment, the scene like in a movie. The images had to be described vividly, which meant nothing could be left to the imagination.

This wasn't going to be like a closed-door romance where the reader was forced to use his or her imagination. The book would be brutal and unforgiving, pulling the reader into the darkest regions of their minds.

I had to agree with the savage man. We all had the capability of crossing lines. Some of us had dreamt of doing so. I'd been so afraid I was like my uncle, sick inside my mind, that I hadn't freed the locks. He was doing in a few days what I'd tried for years.

Maybe because he was just like me.

Or maybe it was because he was a true psychotic.

The craziest thing of all was that I didn't care.

His eyes were completely hooding, the expression he wore adding to his sex appeal and I followed his hands as he slowly rolled them down his broad chest to his six-pack abdomen and further to his massive cock that was standing at full attention.

Dear God, saliva was ready to drip from my mouth from just partaking in the thing of beauty. No man should be built this way. I'd thought it wasn't possible given the limited experiences I'd had. But this man was so well endowed, he had to be on Santa's good list.

A slight giggle mixed with a moan pushed from my lips, the warmth on my cheeks building as much as had deep inside my pussy. I could almost read his mind and what he had planned for me.

Pure savagery.

He cupped his balls with one hand, using the other to torment me more by fisting his cock. I sat all the way up, my chest aching from need. When I reached for him, he gave me an admonishing look.

"Only when I say, baby girl. You will never, ever be in control."

I did so love his gravelly voice, the tone so commanding another shiver pushed through my muscles and tendons. I was doing what I could to control myself and my breathing as he shifted from foot to foot.

But as the seconds ticked by, I wasn't certain I could maintain any sense of self control.

Perhaps he was reading my mind as I'd done with him. Suddenly, he approached, his chest heaving as he took a few seconds to gaze down from my flushed face to my still pointed toes. I was tense all over, the flutter of my heart like the rapid flapping of wings.

Only I was no angel.

All the metaphors inside my cracked mind were a reminder he and I were cut from the same cloth. Good or bad, we were far too much alike.

He crowded between my legs, using both hands to push the hair from my face. "You don't have any idea what light you're already brought into my dark world. Do you?"

"I haven't done anything yet," I whispered in return as I allowed myself to explore his tattoo, using a single finger to trace the exquisite lines. Whoever had created the artwork had been talented, the use of colors bringing the dragon to life. Its evil red eye followed me as I shifted even a couple of inches.

"You're fascinated by the ink. The dragon itself or the vivid colors?"

"Both. And the way when you flex your muscles the dragon comes to life." Of course he had to prove my point right, giving me a little show for a few beautiful seconds. "What does it mean?"

"In some circles it means power while in others it is a sign of evil."

"Just like you."

He laughed, the sound as always tickling my senses. "Perhaps you know me better than you believe you do."

"Not nearly enough." I lifted my gaze from the ink to his face, unable to grasp anything about this moment other than I wanted him.

Perhaps a part of my soul needed him as well.

"I'm going to fuck you, Sara. Not just tonight but as often as I need."

He wasn't asking me. He was simply stating a fact.

As he rubbed his hands down my sides, taking a few seconds to torment my nipples, I found myself holding my breath.

When he lowered his hands to my hips, jerking me just over the edge of the table, I laughed and slapped my hands against his chest. "I'll fall off."

"You need to learn to trust me as I do with you, sweet girl." He placed his fingertip against the tip of my nose. "So our minds can become one." He pushed me further down, fisting the back of my neck to hold me just the way he wanted. As he toyed with sliding his cockhead up and down my slickened pussy, I continued to be thrown at the effect he had on me.

But this was so passionate, so honest that I could no longer feel my extremities. He was pulling at every dark side of me, using the shadows of the night to keep this almost as if in the middle of one of our stories.

And perhaps he was preparing me for a hunt after all.

As he drove half his cock inside, I threw my head back and gasped. The stars were still glorious, twinkling brightly in the sky, but I had a feeling he was right and a storm was rolling in. Maybe it was the shift in the barometric pressure or the tightness in my muscles. I was certain demons were watching, feeding off our lust like rich people feasted on greed.

How appropriate in my mind.

"So tight. So wet. It was as if you were made for me."

His statement almost sounded as if it was secured in a vacuum, yet I heard every word distinctly. When he thrust the rest inside, his cock stretching my muscles, I closed my eyes and fell into the beautiful and sinful moment.

Easton forced me to wrap first one then the other leg around his thighs and I pressed my palms against the table as he began to fuck me in earnest. I was tight, more so than I'd been before, my muscles already clamping and releasing. I was tender all over, every inch of skin over-sensitized yet electric.

I'd had no idea sex could be this amazing.

"Look at me, Sara. Never look away when I'm fucking you. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," I breathed and once again opened my eyes. The guttural, animalistic sounds we were both making added to the sensational moment. Even the brutal thumping of my heart was matching the heavy beating of the rock song's drums. Perhaps he'd planned this all along.

All I knew as that I was floating in a stream of euphoria, incapable of speaking coherently or focusing on anything but his piercing eyes that continued to change color. Was that from the evil lurking inside of him or just another perk of him being a perfect male specimen?

How could I feel so light inside when what he'd told me had been so heavy?

As he plunged long and hard, I threw myself into the moment, the bliss more incredible, the sensations more powerful. The moment was perfect. I spread my legs as wide open as possible, trying to meet every brutal thrust and failing.

He did have full control of me just like he wanted. Who was I to hate it? I gasped for air much like he was doing.

When he yanked me into a deep arch, he growled once again like some wild animal before dropping his head, sucking on first one nipple then the other. I wanted more. I craved the pain only he could provide. Our tether was strengthening, and he bit down on one while he pinched the other between his fingers.

The pain was wild and freeing, jetting through first one muscle then another. The vibrations were insane, so much so I was shaking violently.

He eased the agony, flicking his tongue across my hardened bud and all I could think about was wondering what a nipple clamp felt like. Wasn't that as insane as the moment and the man? He rolled his lips to my other breast, licking underneath before tormenting the fully aroused bud. Within seconds, he'd repeated his actions, refusing to ignore what I needed.

But his desires were starting to take over. After letting me shift back onto my elbows, he rolled onto the balls of his feet, bending his knees. The fucking was even harder, his face twisting from frustration and need. How was it possible the man wasn't blinking at all? He was superhuman in my mind, capable of doing anything he set his mind to. I was enthralled, our eyes and minds locked together as another dazzling orgasm rushed into me.

"Oh. Oh. Oh!" It caught me so off guard that I screamed into the night for a second time, biting down on my tongue seconds later. What if someone had heard me, calling the police for fear a woman was being abused or worse? Oh, my mind was working overtime, rewriting my story taking a delicious toll. I couldn't wait to get started, to fall into the mind of a madman.

But that wasn't happening tonight. He was determined to bring me to my knees, pushing my limits with everything.

"Uh. Uh. Uh. Uh." The tension from his brutal fucking kept me lightheaded and just when I truly believed he was going to finally allow himself to release, he pulled all the way out. "No!"

"Don't worry, baby girl. I'm not done with you yet." He smirked and laughed before pulling me off the table. He held me close for a few seconds as if wanting to say something to me. A slight sadness appeared on his face, his features sagging. I knew he wouldn't tell me what was wrong or what he was thinking but whatever it was had another profound effect on him.

When the light returned to his face and eyes, he swung me around, planting one of my hands on the table then the other as he'd done himself only minutes before.

He wasn't going to provide any additional instructions. He thrust his cock back into my pussy, pumping wildly for a full minute before pulling out just as he'd done before. After issuing a deep, husky laugh that sent a jolt of current all the way to my toes, he pressed the tip against my asshole.

I was so shocked I didn't react at first, uncertain what to think or how to feel. This wasn't something I'd done before. No man had ever tried or even mentioned the act. Yes, it was a bit kinky but not nearly as much as it used to be. Still, I was thrown by the combination of fear and excitement. How could I want this any more than I'd wanted the man to touch me?

Because he's allowing you to be yourself for once in your life.

Yes, this rare time my inner voice was correct. He did have that effect on me. I only prayed it wasn't short lived.

I must have been breathing irregularly because he nuzzled his face into my ear, slowing all the way down. "Just relax. If I'd wanted to hurt you, baby girl, I assure you that it would have occurred already."

Was I supposed to take comfort in that? I held my breath, fighting my nerves and the need to flee. I'd playfully done that before, wondering if he'd come after me but now, I wasn't so certain. He was claiming all of me. Next, he would be tattooing me with his name. Would that be so bad?

I clenched my eyes shut as he pushed another two inches inside, hitting the tight ring of muscle and driving past. Dear God, the flash of agony was blinding, stealing what was left of the breath in my lungs.

As he pulled out, sliding in a little bit deeper, I was amazed the intense pain shifted into a dull ache followed by a warmth that I'd never experienced before. When he plunged the remainder inside, I lolled my head back, once again studying the stars. Why was it that there seemed to be a devil's face peering down on us? Watching us.

Planning.

I had no answer. He cupped both breasts, pulling me to my full height and pinching my nipples all over again. It was a reminder, as the spanking had been, that I belonged to him.

For how long, I wouldn't know.

Nor did I care at this moment.

As he gyrated his hips, pulling out and pushing in, I was forced to take shallow breaths.

"Good girl. Such a sweet and beautiful girl." His words were like dynamite, causing every sensation to explode from red-hot heat.

Now I was able to meet his brutal thrusts, wiggling my hips to entice and tease. He rewarded me with a crack of his hand across my already aching bottom.

"Tempting the devil?" he asked.

"So what… if I… am?" I couldn't even talk at this point, I was so full of passion.

He answered the question by tossing me down across the table all over again, dragging one arm over my head then the other. When he grabbed both my wrists in one hand, I started to fight with him as I'd done before.

"Then I guess I need to continue showing you who you belong to," How things had gone this far I would never know but I was exhilarated from being able to let go.

I did what I could to push against him as he fucked me long and hard, but exhaustion and utter satisfaction had made me weak.

And not only in the knees.

The feeling of being lost in him was incredible yet the tiny tremor of terror burned like a candle deep inside my soul. He could easily hurt me if that's what he wanted. He could even… kill me. No. No. He wasn't like that. Was he?

As I did what I could to push the horrible thoughts out of my mind, he was obviously not tuned in any longer, still fucking me as if his last breath depended on it. I could swear he was growing even larger, his cock throbbing as my muscles continued to try to accept something so huge.

Maybe later I'd be allowed to explore his girth and long length. Oh, my God. I was slipping into some crazy mode.

I had no idea how long his stamina lasted but I sensed the moment he was losing the battle to keep me in the throes of ecstasy.

Every muscle tensed, his breathing more like a predator in the wild preparing to feast. And within sweet, electric seconds, he threw his head back and issued a sound no human had ever made, filling me with his seed.

And as beautiful as the moment was, it was also haunting. I couldn't help but wonder if my presence was pulling the past into the present. If it was, would I lose him to the monster determined to break free or become one myself?

When he helped me to stand, I was unsteady on my feet. I was still tingling all over, my mind a beautiful blur.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"I'm perfectly fine." However, as the euphoria started to fade away, I was left with a feeling that I'd sold my soul, feeling guilty that the passion might interfere with the work. "It's just…"

"Just what?"

Finding the courage was more difficult than I realized. "It's just that we're working together and this can't happen again. You know? I don't think it's fair to either one of us."

There was such a quiet tension that shifted into the moment I finally lifted my head. He was staring at me with the same heated intensity, his nostrils flared as if debating whether to become a he-man Neanderthal, carrying me up the stairs and locking me in my room. I honestly wouldn't put it past him.

When he slipped his index finger under my chin, lifting it, he took a deep breath. "I will honor your request until the book is finished. That does not mean I have any plans on letting you go. You should know I am not a patient man when it comes to taking what I want. And I've decided I want you. All of you. Keep that in my mind, my sweet little fawn. You're already mine. It's time to accept your fate."

My fate. I wanted to slap him across the face and kiss him at the same time. There wasn't a woman alive who didn't want a dominating man to take charge, if only for a little while. But the woman inside of me who'd been fighting for her independence, to find her way in life couldn't accept I was some commodity and nothing else. "You do realize what you're saying."

He smirked, his eyes glassing over. "Oh, I know."

"Why do you want me? You can have any other woman on this planet."

"I don't want another woman. I want the one who will bring me what I need the most."

"And what is that?"

"Forgiveness."

I wasn't expecting his admittance. For another few seconds, he allowed me to see inside his soul. While we didn't know each other, and certainly shouldn't commit to anything beyond casual sex, at this moment what we'd shared seemed eternal, as if karma had truly put us together for a reason. I only hoped it wouldn't damn me for all eternity.

A shiver trickled down my spine as he gripped the side of my face, the way he rubbed his thumb back and forth across my lips rougher than ever before. I was trembling but not from fear or rage from what he'd told me. From excitement. From need. From the kind of knowing that we were meant to be together.

Yet I'd fight it.

He lowered his head, capturing my mouth and as I pressed my palms against his chest, kneading his muscles, I knew in my heart something bad was about to happen. Whatever the event, there was no doubt it would change everything.

There was no arguing with the man.

He walked off. Still in control.

Still in need.

And I was left a puddle of desire.