Chapter 10

Jenna

Run. Run. Run.

Faster. Faster.

There’d been a lock on the door leading to the hallway, but not on the gorgeous French doors glazed with stained glass. The balcony had been beautiful, decorated with vibrant flowers adorning the iron railings in boxes. Their position should have been a deterrent for anyone attempting to flee the room.

Not for this girl.

I’d run track, had competed in pole vaulting, and had even taken a stint in gymnastics as a teenager, but my claim to fame was climbing trees.

So as daunting as the third-floor position would be to most humans, the fact the landscaper had been silly enough to place a trellis covered in flowering vines right underneath had given me a huge smile. I’d climbed down in seconds, even taking a couple of minutes to enjoy the view of the surrounding area.

Between the Caribbean blue waters of the gorgeous pool and the cabana that was bigger than my apartment back in New York to the incredible rolling hills leading to a thick forest, I had to admit that Stavros’ property was without a doubt the most gorgeous setting I’d ever seen. However, it was time to secure my freedom.

He’d smashed my phone, but he hadn’t thought to remove my wallet from my purse. I had it with me as I carefully made my way off the main portion of the estate, not bothering to look back before taking off running. As I’d expected, two bulky guards noticed me right before I’d gotten to the tree line, yelling for me to stop, one of them cursing in Greek when I hadn’t obeyed them.

I was finished with even pretending to obey anyone, including the sexy man who could kill like no other. I bolted into the trees, using my powerful long legs, zigging and zagging so the huge dudes couldn’t easily catch me.

While I’d seen a weapon in my periphery of vision, I sensed they weren’t going to shoot a guest of their boss. I prayed that once I broke through the trees that the property wasn’t surrounded by the same eight-foot gate. However, I hadn’t met a gate I couldn’t climb over yet.

I’d once been a mischievous girl, my girlfriends and I breaking into various properties just to prove we could, sometimes scaling fences into backyards, especially those with pools.

That had all been put to a halt when my father had caught us red-handed. I’d been grounded for three months, only allowed to go to school, every other privilege stripped from me. Yes, I’d learned my lesson, but the criminal tendencies had remained in the back of my mind, the skills as well.

I continued grinning as I took a slight break, listening for any sounds the guards had managed to follow me.

I’d heard them rumbling through the woods before, their massive two-hundred-fifty-pound bodies crunching down on fallen limbs and other debris. Now the strange silence was unnerving. Were they really just going to let me go without tackling me to the ground?

No, something was off.

But I kept running.

The forest surrounding his property was huge, more so than I would have expected for a planned community. It certainly offered him complete privacy. I was winded, which shocked me when I finally broke through the trees, immediately stopping and bending over to catch my breath.

Two seconds later, the hair stood up on my arms. Oh. My. God. Very slowly I straightened up, shaking involuntarily when I heard a dark and dominating chuckle.

“Hello, sweetheart. Happy to see me?”

I glanced to my left, sucking in and holding my breath. How had Stavros managed to circumnavigate the forest? Unless it was curved in design or had a road flanking the one side. Of course the bastard had found me, now smirking as if we were playing a primal game. Well, to hell with him.

Backtracking wasn’t going to do me much good unless I could find a way out in the other direction, but I did so anyway. I flew through the trees this time, jumping over anything standing in my way of escaping, every so often glancing over my shoulder. While I didn’t see him, I could hear him every step of the way.

He was growling like some primal beast, having way too much fun with my attempt. I finally heard crunching sounds, and if I didn’t know better, which I didn’t, I’d say the bastard was able to keep pace with me. Really? Not that he wasn’t in excellent shape because hot damn, the man’s body seemed perfect in every way, but give me a break. I was a runner.

Or I had been.

Okay, so it had been a while.

I moved faster and suddenly, he jumped from behind a tree, scaring the hell out of me. Yelping, I almost tumbled to the ground as I tried to run backwards, fighting the tingling sensations and increasing fear as I turned around.

“You can run, my enchanted one, but you will never get away from me.” His deep voice penetrated my eardrums, almost echoing in the dense forest. How was that possible?

I was now hopelessly lost, trying to weave from one side to the other, but he continued surprising me with his lithe abilities. Suddenly, I was swept off my feet, the bastard wrapping one arm around me and lifting me off my feet as if I weighed nothing.

Stavros spun me around in the air, laughing like a crazed man. When he brought me down to my feet, I felt more nauseous than before. Still laughing, he spun me around to face him, cupping both sides of my face.

“I do so love your spirit,” he said. “I’d also intended to allow you time to get to know and enjoy your new home, but I can see I underestimated you. That requires a change in my plans.”

I didn’t have a chance to ask him what that meant. He crushed his mouth over mine, passion erupting between us almost instantly. I’d never had any man drive me into a beautiful state of fog with a single kiss, but the way he dominated my mouth while taking his time exploring was incredible.

Being lightheaded wasn’t helping my body parts to move, but I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t admit how much of an effect he had on me. Even the lingering taste of bourbon added sizzle to my senses. It was crazy to hate yet crave him, which kept me in a surreal out of body experience. At first, I couldn’t help myself, sliding my arms around his neck. Even the feel of his thick strands of hair sliding through my fingers was indulgent and exciting.

But as the kiss continued, his growls floating around us as a reminder that what was happening was wrong, I was finally able to slam my fists against his shoulders. I wasn’t strong enough to break his hold but I could bruise him. Maybe. If I did, he didn’t show it as he broke the kiss a full minute later, using his thumb to push my head up and back. The thought of having my neck exposed to a savage man was scary, but the heat coursing through me was an indication of how aroused I’d become.

He nipped my chin, issuing a series of deep guttural sounds as he brushed his lips down the length of my neck. When he concentrated on swirling the tip of his tongue around my pulse of life, it seemed a not-so-subtle reminder that he was in charge.

And my life was in his hands.

Another laugh slipped past his lips as he reared back, darting his eyes back and forth across mine. “You like to play games. Don’t you know you could easily get hurt in these woods?”

“According to you, we’re in Pennsylvania, not the African wilderness.”

As a smile crossed his face, his eyes twinkling in the muted sunlight, I could tell he was having a good time at my expense.

“True enough. I guess I’ll need to remind you that you will face harsh consequences for not following the rules.” Without giving me any notice, he ripped off my top, catching me completely off guard.

While I shrieked, doing what I could to cover my lacy bra, he wagged his finger as he’d done before.

“I already told you, beautiful creature, that you can’t hide from me. That includes your incredible body. As of now, it belongs to me.”

He was serious.

“So here’s what we’re going to do. Since you seem to enjoy the outdoors, you’re going to remove your clothes and hug that tree right over there,” he said gruffly while pointing toward one of the massive oak trees.

“And if I don’t?”

He rubbed his jaw, which allowing me to take another basking look at him. With his jacket removed, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up past his elbows, and the scruff covering his chin and cheeks, he appeared more rugged.

And desirable.

Why were my panties damp all over again? I needed a new pair badly. At minimum I’d need to wash them out. Maybe I’d be forced to take the man up on his offer of wearing his clothes. Oh, God. I was falling into his lair even more.

“Well, then I’ll take them off for you. Now, if I do it, I won’t be gentle, which will mean your festive pink scrubs will be torn to bits and pieces. Then that will require you to walk back in your tennis shoes and nothing else, heading into the house in front of my brother, who is visiting me by the way, but I’m certain he’ll be happy to meet you in any state of dress. Or undress. The decision is entirely up to you.” He folded his arms, cocking his head and enjoying every single second of this.

He was also crazy and horrible enough to be serious.

I was so furious I flexed my fingers, wishing my fingernails were longer so I could do some serious damage.

“I’m waiting and the clock is ticking.”

I couldn’t budge, couldn’t think like a rational human being. But when he took a long stride toward me, I cursed him out all over again. “You really are a bastard, you worthless prick.”

“You are right, but I can tell you crave me even though I am.”

Hissing, I turned around, reaching to unhook my bra. “Don’t fool yourself. You’re a sick, disgusting man.”

“That’s funny since your body responded completely differently. I think you desire what only I can give you.”

“You’re an idiot.”

He chuckled, the sultry sound pushing my body into another moment of reprehensible betrayal. Whether or not his heavy breathing was just to torment me more I wasn’t certain, but the sound kept me quivering all over. Why did I have the feeling it was more about excitement from the forbidden zone I’d just entered?

When my bra was off, I was so lightheaded from trepidation that I was fearful I’d fall on my face.

“Keep going. I’m not a patient man.”

I threw back my arm without hesitation, giving him my middle finger.

“Be careful, enchanted one. If you keep this up, I’ll tie you to the tree.”

He was taunting me on purpose. I sucked in my breath, closed my eyes and removed the bottoms to my scrubs. After that, I folded my arms across my naked breasts, loathing myself and the body part as well. My nipples were hard as diamonds and it had nothing to do with the light breeze.

“Thong as well.”

His voice was slightly gruffer. I couldn’t believe this was happening. I wasn’t an exhibitionist and the shame of what was happening sent several flashes of red-hot heat down to my toes. By the time I’d removed the passion pink panties, I was fully flushed, my cheeks burning. Why was I thinking I was so happy I’d matched my underwear to my outfit? God, I was losing it.

When he sucked in his breath, I dropped my head, becoming mortified.

“Apólyta ómorfo,” he whispered.

“What did you say to me?”

“I said you were utterly beautiful, and I always speak the truth. Perhaps you’re the most stunning woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.” There was no sense of teasing in his tone, the darkness almost sounding as if he’d experienced sadness with someone else before.

It was strange how his actions and the changes in the man could catch me so off guard at times. “That changes nothing.”

“Now, against the tree. Wrap your arms around it.”

There was no choice but to obey him. The moment I did as he commanded, he moved closer. When he whipped out a rope from somewhere hidden, I tried to push away from the tree, but he stopped me by pressing his palm against the small of my back. Everything about the man was passionate, including the way his strong fingers kneaded my flesh.

“Stay in position. While I need to discipline you, I really don’t want to make it as harsh as maybe you deserve.”

I kept my hands fisted, hating the fact I was close to hyperventilating. He was suddenly right there in my line of sight, deft at quickly wrapping the thick rope around my wrists. His skills were incredible and within seconds I was secured to the tree. It was obvious he’d done this before.

The moment I shifted, the bark from the tree scratching my skin, I felt another strange and powerful sense of desire. I closed my eyes when he trailed the rough pads of his fingers down my arm. As he moved hair from my face, I was angry with myself for removing the ponytail holder.

“I’m going to search for the perfect switch to punish you with, my enchanted one,” he said before pressing his lips against my carotid artery. “Then do you know what I’m going to do after providing you with twenty lashes?”

Just the thought of him using a switch sickened me, the number of strikes intolerable but it was his heated breath skipping across my skin that was the most soul stealing.

“What?” I found myself asking, as if I wanted to know the answer.

He rolled his fingers down my spine so slowly I wasn’t certain they were moving. But as he slipped them along the crack of my ass, I clamped my legs together.

His chuckle was even darker than before, his accent suddenly heavier. “After that I’m going to enjoy feasting on your pretty pink pussy before driving every inch of my thick. Hard. Aching. Cock deep inside your tight little channel. And only when you scream out my name from extreme pleasure will I let you go. Isn’t that what you want, sweetheart? Isn’t that what you’ve longed for since seeing me that very first moment?”

“No!”

“You’re lying, and I’m going to prove it. Just wait, babydoll. Soon you’ll be putty in my hands.”