All I could think about the whole way back to the estate was how easily Annalise could take Ayvah from me. She could steal her right from under my nose, and it would be almost impossible to find her. Not when we can’t even pinpoint their base of operations in Chicago.
We lost them again tonight. For the second time they drove to an empty warehouse, and all seven SUVs disappeared by the time we could get inside. They have to be going down. That’s the only fucking option, but no matter what tech Everett sends into that building, we can’t find an entrance point.
It doesn’t seem to matter what we do, she’s always two steps ahead of us. At least we have the Legion on our side, but for how long? They’re loyal to no one, and if she offers them something they want, they’re going to jump ship quicker than I can blink.
But all of those worries melt away the moment Ayvah is in my arms again. The way she looked at me with relief when she saw me cracked something deep inside me. All the restraint I’ve been showing since that first day is quickly coming to an end, and if I can’t sink myself into her sweet little pussy, I’m going to lose my fucking mind.
She needs it just as badly as I do. That’s pretty fucking clear by the way she’s baiting me. She knows I don’t like when she comments on her weight, and I have a feeling my girl wants to feel everything I have to give tonight. She wants me to punish her the way I crave, the way I never thought she would want after what I did.
As soon as I step into our bedroom, I cross to the bed and deposit her in the middle of it. She bounces softly, her dark locks messy from where she was hanging upside down. Her cheeks are the most beautiful shade of pink, and some of the red lipstick that made my cock stand to attention the moment I saw her tonight still stains her pouty lips. She’s fucking beautiful.
“I’m going to fuck you tonight, and if you don’t want that, you need to tell me right now.” My voice is hoarse with desire as my hands fall to my belt buckle. I won’t start undressing until she tells me what she wants, because if I do and she says no, I’m not sure how I’m going to stop myself from taking what I need.
“Yes,” she murmurs, the blush on her cheeks turning a deeper shade of pink.
Thank god.
“Strip.” The word hangs between us as we stare at one another. She’s nervous despite the fact I’ve already seen her naked. She doesn’t move right away, and I start to wonder if perhaps she’s trying to test me. “I don’t like to repeat myself, Ayvah, you know that.”
She nods, but still makes no move to start stripping, and that’s when I notice the small smile tugging at the corners of her luscious lips. She’s baiting me and fuck me if that doesn’t have my cock pressing painfully against the zipper of my pants.
“Do you want to be punished, baby girl?” I rumble. I slip the belt through the buckle and slowly pull it through the loops.
Her chocolate irises intently watch the leather slip through each loop, and her sinfully pink tongue darts out to wet her lips. There isn’t one part of Ayvah I don’t want to fuck, but her mouth is high on the priority list. If I thought I had the patience to fuck her mouth right now, she’d already be on her knees worshipping my cock, but I don’t. I need to be inside her almost as badly as I need to take my next breath.
“Answer me,” I demand.
“Yes,” she whispers. “I want you to punish me.”
I groan at her words and close the distance between us. I lean over until our faces are a breath apart, searching her face for any sign of doubt. I don’t want to do this if it’s not something she truly wants, and I don’t know if Ayvah would tell me if that were the case. “If we’re going to do this, there are rules.”
“Rules?”
“Yes, rules, baby girl. Rules that will keep you safe. Okay?”
She nods, her lips whispering across mine and I barely hold onto the restraint that is already wearing dangerously thin.
“Rule one, words. When I ask you a question, I need to hear your answer. Understand?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Good girl. Now, rule two, if at any time you need me to stop, if you’re uncomfortable, if you just need a break, I want you to say ‘red’. Okay?”
“Yes.”
“Rule three, if you’re hurting, if you’re uncomfortable, if you’re overwhelmed, and if you don’t call out red, you will be punished. I need you to be honest with me for this to work, and if you’re not honest with me, I could hurt you.” I bring my fingers to her face and brush them down her cheek. I barely bite back the groan in my throat when she leans into my touch. She’s just as drawn to me as I am her. “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I hurt you again.” The rare moment of vulnerability makes my chest crack open. If there’s anyone I shouldn’t show softness, it’s the woman beneath me, because she’s the only person on earth that could destroy me, and for a man like me, that’s a fucking problem.
