Chapter 14

Penny

How fucking dare the man.

Who did he think he was?

I was so angry, so incensed that I slammed and locked the bedroom door, shaking my head as Remington whined, even pawing at the door.

"You need to learn, little buddy, that Kraven is an asshole. All controlling. He thinks he's all that and a bag of chips. Well, he's nothing but an arrogant jerk!" I heard the elevation in my voice when I called him a name. What did I care?

Of course my pup looked at me as if I'd lost my mind. Maybe I had but Misha was a nice guy, more so than Kraven obviously. I jerked out the first thing from my clothes I'd yet to unpack, not that I would do it now, not bothering to look as what I'd snagged. Who cared? I was going to demand my car be brought to me so I could continue my job search. I couldn't care less about what the Russian dude wanted or if I was in danger.

Which was likely not true.

I was so angry, I was ready to chew nails, heading into the bathroom while still cursing under my breath. Remington dutifully followed, although the wary look on his face was close to the one I'd given Kraven more than once. As soon as I closed the door, I took a deep breath. There was something about the sultry Russian that had gotten under my skin from the moment I'd laid eyes on him.

Maybe it was the instant attraction.

Certainly it was the fact someone had tried to kill him.

Then there was his odd generosity.

Whatever the case, I wasn't certain how to feel about the man. The shower had no door, only a single pane of glass covering one third of the eight-foot luxury. The huge space was covered in the coolest shade of jade marble, something straight out of an Architectural Digest magazine. It took me a couple of minutes to figure out how to turn on the water. I still couldn't get over the fact that he lived here part time, owning a house somewhere else.

The lifestyles of the rich and famous came to mind. I jerked off my shirt, glaring at myself in the mirror. Angering the man wasn't a good idea. Obviously, I'd seen that in action. But I'd never met anyone so authoritative, demanding full obedience from the entire world around him. I certainly couldn't understand the hierarchy or whatever protocols and rules his employees were required to follow, but I did understand basic decency.

The way he'd treated Misha had been ridiculous.

I yanked off my shorts and panties, tossing them aside and immediately grabbing one of the huge fluffy white towels. After holding it in front of me, I took another deep breath. I hated being out of sorts, scared of what might happen next. I also didn't like being on edge around the man.

Some would call it sexual tension.

Laughing, I grabbed a washcloth, eager to spend time soaking under the hot water. When the bathroom door was suddenly pitched open, I had a split second to jerk the towel all the way around me, turning around and ready to launch into the asshole.

"Get out of here, you oaf," I snapped, loathing the fact a rush of excitement was tingling my toes. I hadn't paid any attention to the way he'd been dressed before, preferring to launch into him after he'd attacked his employee. Now, as I stared at the tight cobalt blue tee shirt that hugged every curve, the blue jeans that apparently had been made for him, I was floored by how my body responded to him.

When I couldn't help myself, my eyes falling to the thick bulge between his legs, there wasn't enough chastising I could do to erase the lurid thoughts I was having.

"You seem to forget that this is my suite and you are my guest." He swaggered into the bathroom and almost immediately jerked off his shirt from the back, tossing the material on top of my things.

"Why don't you shoot me then."

He was caught off guard when I made the statement, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "You're far too beautiful and tasty to destroy. Did you think about me while I was gone?"

"Hell, no." I struggled to keep the towel in place, giving him as hateful of a look as possible. Meanwhile, the little voice inside my head was screaming at the top of her lungs I was a liar.

Every square inch of my breath was sucked from my lungs seeing his sculpted chest and abdomen, shoulders so wide he could be a linebacker. I pitched my body against the counter, the fingers of one hand firmly wrapped around both edges of the towel. I was trying desperately to find something snide to say but the words were stuck in my throat.

"Tsk. Tsk. Lying doesn't become you, malyshka," he said in such a deep voice I was ready to lose my mind. "You were a bad girl offering my soldier something to drink. It's against the rules."

I was strangely even more attracted than before, fighting both nerves and desire as I dared peer down the length of him.

One shoulder and arm, as well as a portion of his chest, were covered in scrolled ink, likely depicting something significant from his Russian culture. The artistry caught and kept my eye for a few seconds as he swaggered further into the room, his heated gaze falling all the way to my toes, sliding ever so slowly back to my face. When his nostrils flared, the man shaking his head as slowly as his gaze had fallen, my tongue was released from the vocal prison.

"That doesn't give you any right to break into my bedroom, acting as if you…"

"As if what, Red Penny? As if I also don't own the hotel? As if I wasn't prepared to change your world?"

"I don't want my world changed. It was fine by me, thank you very much." As he inched closer, I tried to scoot away and he wagged his finger at me.

"You're not going anywhere, Penny. What you have yet to figure out or accept is that you belong to me."

I'd heard a lot of bullshit from men in my life, even including my father. But the crap that had just flowed from Kraven's mouth made me burst into laughter. "I told you this before so you must be dense in the head. You can't own a person, asshole."

"Do you want to make a bet?"

"Yeah, I do. You try it and you'll be sorry." Oh, for the love of God. What was I, ten years old, stomping my feet and threatening my parents if I didn't get my way?

He snorted, inching even closer. "I'd like to see you try, ideal'naya penni."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Oh, yes."

When he planted his hands on either side of me, daring to lean over, I shoved him with all I had in me. "Why the hell did you try to kill your employee? And stop fucking call me that. I'm not a thing, a possession. I'm a woman with feelings and a heart, which is completely unlike you."

"If I'd wanted to kill him, he'd be dead. You don't understand the importance of rules in my world or any world for that matter."

"Not your world. One of violence and bloodshed. It's disgusting. Now, get out before I throw you out." I pointed toward the door, but knew the instant his eyes flashed, I'd crossed an invisible line.

Wearing the irresistible yet evil grin I'd already seen a few times before, he grabbed the edge of my towel and without hesitation or a single thread of decency, he yanked it away, holding the dense material into the air as if I was going to jump for it.

Not only did I not give him that satisfaction, but I also used the time he was preening from his actions to slap him across the face and punch him hard in the gut.

"Fuck," he hissed, slapping one arm across his stomach and bending over as if I'd damaged his kidney. I wanted to roll my eyes but smiled instead.

Woof.

Remington was wagging his tail, far too enthused at the fireworks. I was shocked he hadn't raced out given the explosive heat and the amount of testosterone in the room.

As with all things around the man, my best laid plans weren't thought out too well. While I was able to snatch another towel, he'd toyed with me, his moans just adding a slice of dramatics to our sparring event.

I was tossed back against the counter, the man cupping both sides of my face with enough pressure, I knew if he wanted, he could break my jaw. As he'd done before, he leaned over, but the look in his eyes wasn't about anger or even frustration. He'd been baiting me, pushing to see how far I'd go. I'd fallen into his nefarious trap.

And the wicked and lust-filled look in his eyes was unmistakable.

I couldn't want him because I didn't know him. I wasn't the kind of girl to engage in a one-night stand. They always came back to bite you. But as I studied his eyes, there was a strange hint of sincerity and a strong sense of knowing. As uncomfortable as I should feel around him, I didn't. It was quite the opposite.

"Prekrasnyy ognennyy angel. Ideal'nyy."

"Don't call me names." My whisper was hoarse, my voice filled with as much long as his. I pressed my fisted hands against his chest, fighting the urge to scream from the searing heat of his body.

He chuckled. "I merely said a beautiful fiery angel. Perfect."

"You obviously have me confused with someone else."

"I don't think so. In fact, I know exactly what kind of woman you are and exactly what you need." He shifted one hand around to the back of my neck, digging his muscular fingers into my skin.

Now I was kneading his chest, marveling how every inch was sculpted to perfection. "I don't need anything but my dog."

"A lonely life. And another lie. I can tell you need another hard spanking."

"To hell with you."

"I've already been sent to hell, pretty Penny. It's a life I enjoy living."

He lowered his head even more until only a few centimeters separated our lips. I found myself dragging the tip of my tongue across the bottom of mine, wondering what his tasted like.

"You just say that. Aren't you living a lonely life as well?" For all his money and precious things, the number of people working for him, I had a feeling there was no one in his life, at least no one special like a girlfriend or wife. It wasn't my place to care nor would he tell me. However, I had a strange sense of knowing that he purposely chose to carry a huge weight on his back.

"Yes." The single word admittance was more than I thought I'd get. It was obvious he was finished talking, lifting me slightly off my feet and forcing our lips together. As he captured my mouth, at first, I thought his actions would be tender, almost loving this go-around. But I doubted the man knew how to be gentle.

After rubbing my face until I was certain my cheek would be indented, he rolled his hand over my shoulder, daring to grab ahold of one buttock. He yanked me all the way against him, leaving no ounce of doubt in my mind what he longed to do.

Fuck me.

His cock was likely pinched against the tight fabric of his jeans, every muscle in his body tense. He was just as forceful with the act of passion as I assumed he was with everything else, driving his tongue inside without giving me time to adjust. I wanted to be furious, to hate the man but between the taste of him and the feel of his massive body rubbing against mine, I was caught up in the friction and heightened moments of lust.

The night before had just been a teaser. This was the main course.

Yet I continued to push one fist then the other against his shoulders in a feeble effort to convince him to leave me alone. Was that what I really wanted?

He was having none of it, the kiss so passionate and fiery that tiny bottle rockets exploded inside my brain. I was trembling in his hold, unstable on my feet. I was doing my best to try to hold onto some grip of reality, including thinking about Remington and why he'd gravitated toward the man. Sure, I knew dogs could sniff out a bad person from a hundred yards away, but didn't Kraven qualify?

The kiss was so overwhelming and powerful that I closed my eyes and did my best not to stay. Even my stomach was in knots, the wetness between my legs as embarrassing as being naked in front of someone I didn't know. But he was hard as a rock, something that I found tough to ignore.

After the horrible waste of time being with Jake, I'd lied to myself that I never wanted another man to touch me. I'd convinced the girl inside I didn't need anyone but my puppy and myself, perfectly capable of doing what I needed to provide and protect my little world.

But the last day had shown me both beliefs were dead wrong. I was melting in his arms while still reeling from the same rush of adrenaline and fear. Not from the murder attempt but an understanding that the horrible act could happen all over again.

He could obviously not care less about anything but taking what he wanted. Even as I squirmed in his arms, he did nothing more than shift his hips back and forth, ensuring I knew what he wanted and how he felt.

The way in which he was dominating my tongue left me breathless, but I wasn't fighting him, which added to the moment of surprise. I was wallowing in my need for once in my life, my nipples so hard I was certain they'd scratch his skin.

Before he broke the kiss, he slipped his hand through my hair from underneath, grabbing a fistful and twisting. His rough actions exposed my neck. His lips traveled from mine, brushing ever so lightly from one side of my jaw to the other before creeping closer to my ear. His hot breath was more intense than before, my pussy now clenching several times from the pheromones flying between us.

I hated to think of myself as being lost in his arms but that was the truth. I'd been blindsided by the man and his refusal to accept no for an answer. It was strangely magical while being infuriating at the same time.

"To, chto ya sdelayu s toboy, gryazno i diko."

While I had no clue what he'd said, all I could do was concentrate on his sensual accent and the electric vibrations dancing down my back. I found myself clinging to him as he nipped my earlobe, the man issuing a sharp growl afterwards.

"What?" I breathed, uncertain I'd spoken.

His chuckle was laced with another deep sound, followed by a lick of his tongue in the shell of my ear. "I said the things I will do to you are filthy and wild."

All I could do was shudder.

"That's exactly what you need."

Was he expecting me to confirm or deny? Push him away again? I tried one last time, doing my best to break the connection that seemed overwhelmingly powerful, but it was no use. He was far too strong, the electricity ready to spiral my needs out of control. He ripped at my hair, pulling me back into a deep arc, still issuing deep animalistic sounds as he rolled his lips down the side of my neck. He bit down once before continuing his heated exploration.

The moment he swirled his tongue around my nipple, I was certain I'd lost all feeling in my legs. I threw one hand back, slapping the cabinet as I heard Remington's tags jingling. The traitor was heading into the bedroom, leaving me completely alone.

I almost laughed out of nervousness, realizing for a woman nearing twenty-five, I was completely inexperienced as a lover. What experience did I have? I couldn't think about my past, the abuse and controlling behavior.

Another laughable moment since everything about the man holding me was dominating as hell. When he brought my nipple into his heated mouth, I finally let loose enough to allow a scattered series of moans to escape.

It would be so easy to get caught up in the moment, to allow myself to believe this was anything but what it was, a blip in time. But for the moment, I doubted I was going anywhere. At least not without his permission.

He shifted to my other nipple, taking his time to flick his tongue back and forth before biting down until I cried out all over again. What he did next couldn't have shocked me any more than what he'd already done.

Without breaking a sweat, he lifted me onto the counter onto my feet, taking both of my thighs into his hands, making certain I was wide open. Like a famished man, he drilled his tongue straight past my swollen folds.

"Oh, my…" I couldn't think or speak, was swaying to the point I was lightheaded. I knew the man was muscular given the way he filled out his suit but this was… acrobatic. I slapped my hands on his shoulders, fearful I'd slip off onto the floor. I'd thought laughing and moaning at the same time impossible, but I was doing it as I scanned the bathroom. I was completely cognizant the door was open but thankfully, he'd closed the bedroom door after breaking into it. Otherwise anyone walking by would see our sinful moment.

Our?

There was no ‘our.' This was his doing.

Dangerous murderer.

As I continued to remind myself of that, it didn't seem to stick.

I closed my eyes as I tightened my grip on his shoulders, aware the tingling sensations were already going nuts. The moment was insane, my body overreacting as he licked and sucked on my clit. Within seconds, it was tingling like it never had before, entirely too sensitive too quickly.

Other than my trusty cheap vibrator, I'd gotten no action in… over a year. I wanted to laugh at how pathetic I would sound admitting that to anyone. He was growling and grunting like some beast as he feasted on me, rolling both thumbs up and down my pussy lips at the same time. It was like floating in the air while being pleasured, unlike anything I'd experienced.

Where the kiss had been explosive, he was taking his time dragging his tongue up and down. I could tell he was savoring the flavor, acting as if he was licking a Tootsie Roll Pop. All the crazy analogies running through my mind continued to bring giggles to my throat.

His hold remained firm, the man refusing to let me go, and while I knew he could continue doing this for as long as I needed, I was already bucking against him. My body couldn't handle this much bliss at one time, my mind spinning. The only orgasms I'd experienced in my life were those brought on by batteries and plastic.

This man seemed to know my body instinctively, licking feverishly when I needed it and lightly sucking on my clit as necessary. I was going up and down in emotions just as I was in sensations. I lolled my head, staring down at him the way he was looking up at me.

I pitched forward once again, almost losing my footing completely as a strange set of vibrations tore through me. As the tidal wave swept through me, I realized my lover had given me a powerful climax. It was wild and strange, driving me straight into ecstasy.

Everything about this was entirely different, including the way vibrant lights flashed in front of my eyes. Plus, it lasted so much longer than ten seconds, the tingling sensations continuing for well over a minute. I expected him to let me down the moment I started to drift from the clouds I'd been spinning in.

But he wasn't finished with me yet, shaking his head back and forth as he thrust his tongue deep inside. When he added several fingers of his left hand, thrusting alongside his tongue, I was certain I would orgasm within seconds. But he brought me close and backed off, only to do it all over again.

"Oh. Oh. Oh." I no longer recognized my voice, the deliciousness of the moment stealing my usual lilting tone. He was forceful yet tender, giving me what I craved but refusing to allow me to come too quickly. But when he dared slide his other hand around my hips, wiggling a single finger past my ass cheeks, I jerked forward. Hard enough I was certain I'd fly off the counter.

The moment he drove a single finger into my dark hole, something that had never been done before, I was pitched into an insane moment. There was no chance at regrouping or even breathing correctly. The climax was even more powerful than the one before and as I heard a hard thumping sound, it took me a minute to realize it was my foot involuntarily coming down on the granite counter.

I was still in a state of shock and awe when the tingling sensations slowly ebbed, leaving me aching and breathless.

And very hungry.

Very slowly Kraven brought me to the floor once again, but he wasn't simply going to eat and leave. He wanted all of me. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew I should do everything it took to stop the moment before it started. I didn't. I couldn't.

He backed away, cocking his head as if stating without words if I dared try to go anywhere, he would do worse than spanking me.

I was able to catch my breath as he slowly yanked off one shoe then the other. However, the moment he unfastened his jeans, taking his sweet time, I was already licking my bottom lip just as I'd done before.

And as he eased the dense material past his hips, I was forced to grip the edge of the counter until my knuckles were white. If I'd thought his torso was a thing of beauty, a creation of stone sent straight from the gods, then the deep V of his abdomen leading to his muscular thighs was a crafting of perfection.

His cock was something else altogether, a pure work of art. Thick and long, his shaft was throbbing, the tip purple from desire.

He was chuckling as he pushed the jeans to the floor, likely from the look on my face. I'd seen plenty of naked men in magazines and online, but Kraven was in a category all his own. What I also noticed were the number of scars on his thighs, and a few I hadn't noticed on his chest, mostly hidden by the tattoo. They drew me in and for a few seconds, I thought about my own scars.

I'd been told they'd fade in time as long as I didn't continue with the act of self-harm, but his were a permanent part of the creation, a reminder of horrible and violent events. What had the man been through in his life? The real question was—did I want to know?

"You like what you see?"

"Uh-huh." I couldn't express my thoughts at all. He was far too beautiful and no man should be this attractive.

Especially when I needed to hate him.

He inched closer and now I knew what the term swagger meant. My fingertips were already tingling all over again and I hadn't touched him yet.

His evil grin returned as he lifted my leg, forcing it around his hips. "I can't wait to be inside of you. So I won't."

All the women who said they wanted a gentle lover were sorely missing out. The moment he drove the entire length of his cock inside, I was certain I'd died and gone to heaven. I threw my head back, trying to catch my breath, the rush of feelings more intense than before.

He pulled almost all the way out, driving into me again. The force slammed us both into the edge of the counter but there was no real pain. I was concentrating on the fact my muscles were being stretched more than they had during any period of my life.

The sensations were incredible, the way my pussy clenched around the thickness pulling him in even deeper. If that was possible. It felt as if he'd reached my womb.

Together we rocked, pushing hard against each other as our playfulness returned. Everything about him was rough and tumble, his actions no doubt far too forceful for some women but I wasn't just any woman. I was a girl who'd longed to feel again, to share in the power of intimacy. How had he picked that out so easily?

Or maybe he saw me as an easy mark, vulnerable enough I wouldn't care about the danger or his controlling needs. I bucked hard and within seconds, he'd lifted me back off the floor, placing my bottom on the counter.

With the angle switched, I tossed my head from side to side, no longer able to describe what I was feeling. I could tell he'd rolled onto the balls of his feet, powering into me so hard that all I could concentrate on was the sound of his body slapping against mine. I was even pointing my toes as I crushed my knees against him.

Forced to lean back, I was shocked that my breathless sounds were matching his and I tried to study him, smiling from the furrow in his brow. He was also sweating, beads rolling down both sides of his face. The thick cords on the sides of his neck were tight, his pulse of life bobbing just like his Adam's apple. The strain was evident and beautiful, the pleasure we were sharing out of this world.

He'd yanked away my inhibitions and I knew later I'd feel guilty, perhaps hating him even more. But right now, this moment was everything I'd wished I'd experienced before. Just when I was certain he would let go, enjoying the round of passion as much as I'd already done, he pulled all the way out, backing away completely.

I heard a whimper escaping my mouth and bit my lower lip. His eyes were twinkling as he rubbed his forearm across his forehead. But he wasn't finished with me yet.

"There is nothing like the taste of you, Red Penny." He spun me around so fast all I could do was laugh nervously.

With his one hand on my hip, tugging me further away from the counter, we stared at each other in the mirror for a few seconds. He teased me by sliding the tip of his cock up and down the crack of my ass and my nerves kicked in, the fear he'd try to fuck me in the ass almost causing me to bolt away.

"Relax, pretty Penny. I won't claim everything. Today." His grin was mildly infectious and as he returned his cock to my aching pussy, I slapped both hands on the glass. After a few brutal thrusts, we were both on our toes, writhing together, our heated breath steaming the surface of the mirror.

Everything about the moment was crazy but delicious, my mind reeling from what this could mean. As his muscles tensed even more, I closed my eyes, allowing myself to fall into another breathless rush of rapture.

"Oh. Oh. Oh." I was vaguely aware I was close to screaming, drowning out every word he was whispering, but I sensed he was telling me what he would do later. Or maybe that was wishful thinking.

I threw my head back, no longer certain of who I was as he dug his fingers into my hips.

And erupted deep inside.

As the beautiful aftermath of the most incredible experience I'd ever had settled in, I realized I hadn't just crossed an invisible line.

I'd also trashed every notion of being a good girl.

And there was no doubt this man truly believed he owned me.