CHAPTER SEVEN

B rayden ignored her and stepped into the bedroom doorway.

“Willow,” he said in warning.

“Please, just go. We both want different things. The sex is amazing, but I’m not a consumable you can use until you’re done.”

She tried not to stare at the dark and sexy man standing with his bulging arms crossed. His swirling silver eyes pierced her with his frustration. Her body heated regardless. As if in reaction, those eyes suddenly narrowed in question, then heated, his pupils flaring.

“There’s one thing we both want, though, isn’t there, Willow.” She shook her head, trying to deny it.

He took a step toward her. Moisture pooled in her panties. She looked down and saw he was hard.

“Let me have you again, and then you can decide.”

She could barely hear his words as her nipples hardened. He was a foot away from her now. “Perhaps you just need to find someone else to have sex with?”

“No.” He shook his head. “It’s you.”

“You should leave.”

“Take off your dress.”

Lost for words, her mouth fell open, then shut.

“I want you.” He unzipped his pants and tore off his shirt. “You’re mine, Willow. I said, take off your dress.”

She kept staring, her body an inferno of need. Fighting what she wanted, she shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut. “No, Brayden.”

Her nipples were hard, the drum of her core thumping with the need of his touch. When she opened her eyes, she took in the large, now naked body in front of her.

He stood with his legs apart, cock jutting out as he stroked it.

“I can’t keep doing this,” she whispered.

“You have three seconds before I take what is mine,” he growled low.

Her body flared with a powerful desire she’d never felt before. She wanted to be possessed, wanted his strong, dominant hands on her. Wanted to be controlled by this man.

Knowing there was no way she could deny him, she unzipped her dress. It fell to the floor, and she stood in the black lace teddy and black heels he’d chosen for her hours earlier.

Brayden took a step forward and gently nudged her onto the bed.

“Lie back.”

He kneeled and undid the snaps, placing her legs over his shoulders. Watching her, he ran his fingers through her folds, then licked her. Her body roared. His thumb edged closer to her rear, and she gasped.

“Relax, baby.”

Willow knew what he was going to do, and she wasn’t ready. She’d never done it before. “I’m-I’m not sure.”

“Do you trust me?”

She didn’t. He wanted to take her places she hadn’t gone yet, which she knew required trust. She sat up on her elbows and looked at him, chewing her bottom lip.

He nodded briefly. “You will trust me someday.”

Lowering his head again, he continued sucking, lapping, and flicking his tongue until she lost control. He didn’t give her the release she wanted; instead, he stood and pressed into her. One thrust, two, and he filled her completely.

She cried as he threw his head back and clenched his teeth.

“Willow, Jesus.”

He laid over her, pulling her legs around him, claiming her lips. She dug her nails into his arms, encouraging him to go faster. Brayden licked and bit her bottom lip, a small grin teasing her. She groaned, arching into him, and his smile faded.

He pounded hard and fast as the fire built in intensity within them. Deeper, harder, desperate, they clung as she tightened around him. A million stars exploded within as she combusted.

Finally, she opened her eyes and found a pair of silver ones bearing down on her, intense and blazing.

He placed a hand on her cheek. “Give me a week. Just one week.”

The need in his voice was one she felt instinctively was out of character for him. He had a powerful alpha-like energy about him. Bossy, demanding, and jealous. The request threw her.

It was his eyes, however, which spoke to her. They burned into her with a depth she’d never felt from anyone. She knew this relationship was not going anywhere. She knew she would hurt at the end. Yet, her heart felt connected to this man in a way that demanded she follow it.

What could a week hurt? She already knew it was going to be hard to say goodbye to him.

Great sex for a week with a protective, gorgeous man who made her laugh and have multiple orgasms? It was hardly a chore.

“Alright, a week.” She nodded.

Brayden took possession of her mouth, and she pushed on his shoulders.

“But”—she held his gaze—“I want you to let me into your life, not just have sex.”

“Willow,” he growled.

“That’s my offer, or nothing.”

Brayden dropped his head into her neck. Her heart cracked, wondering what was so very wrong with her that he didn’t want her in his life. He sat up suddenly. “It’s not you, Willow. It’s my complicated life.”

“Are you a mind reader?”

“Kind of.” He sighed. “God. I don’t think I can walk away from you anyway, you beautiful little witch.”

“So, that’s a yes?”

He nodded. “During the day, I work. In the evenings, I am yours.”

She smiled.

Brayden carried her to the shower, and they stood under the water facing each other.

“Mine for a week,” he said, running a soapy hand over her back, repeating the words as if they were a mantra.

Back in bed, wrapped in his arms, Willow could barely keep her eyes open. She remained aware, however, that she was risking her heart by allowing Brayden to stay in her life. Even if just for a week.

She guarded her heart powerfully, a heart which had only just begun healing, and yet, somehow, this domineering and sexy man had pushed into her world and burst it open.

There was no way this would end well. She’d deal with it when the time came.