by Adriana Noir
“Let’s hear it.”
“Fine,” Taylor said. “I’m not sorry, okay? I’m not sorry that I met you. I’m not sorry that being with you has made me question everything about myself, including who I am. You can be cruel and violent. You’ve done some really horrible things, Sebastian, and you’ve made some really bad choices along the way but, even at your worst, you are the only thing that makes me feel alive. I regret knowing that people like Marx exist, and I hate the constant havoc SKALS causes in our lives, but I am not sorry that I am in love with you. You are it for me, Sebby. Wrong or right you always will be.”
His cheeks hollowed for a long second. Shrugging, he dropped his arms to his sides. “Okay.”
Taylor’s mouth opened and closed as her brow knitted in frustration. “Okay? Really? That’s all you have to say?”
A small sparkle ignited in his eyes and the corners of his mouth twitched. “No. I guess I could add that it’s probably a good thing I didn’t shoot Rupert in the face.”
Rolling her eyes, she gave a disgusted shake of her head and snatched one of the clean towels off the rack. “I don’t know why I bother sometimes.”
He caught the pirouetting end before it made contact with the top of his thigh. With a quick jerk of his arm, he reversed the motion and wound the thick towel around Taylor’s wrist. His chuckle was low and sinister as he slowly reeled her toward him.
“Did you really think that was a good idea?” he asked, pinning her arms behind her back.
“It was worth a shot. You deserved it,” she muttered.
“Is that so?”
“Yes! I stood there and poured my heart and soul out to you and all I get in return is a measly ‘okay’ and some twisted wisecrack?”
Keeping her pinned, he surged against her, pressing her body back against the wall. His lips sought purchase against her neck, leaving a prickling trail of fire in their wake. He paused behind her ear.
“I had no idea you were so greedy or impatient, Taylor,” he murmured, letting his breath fall hot against her skin. “Who says that is all you were going to get?”
Her eyes drifted shut as fear and frustration gave way to a fierce throb of desire. It was a sick and twisted game he played, but she doubted she would ever get enough of the way he plied her with just the right words, just the right touch. His voice alone was enough to send a shockwave beneath her skin and she felt herself begin to cave.
“Seb, please…” she moaned, arching her hips against his.
He responded by pressing into her with a slow, sensual grind. “Please what, Taylor?”
“Please touch me. Make me yours again,” she begged.
His laugh was soft and menacing against her ear. “You are already mine, darling,” he whispered, capturing the sensitive lobe between his teeth. “Maybe you have forgotten it, but that’s never changed. Every single part of you belongs to me. It always has and always will.”
“Yes. I know,” she panted in impatience. “Can we just skip the foreplay, please? My parts are already missing yours something fierce.”
“Mmm. No.” He traced the hollow of her collarbone with his lips. “That’s the least you should get for trying to hit me. Besides, I don’t just want you preheated. I want you piping hot and needing me so badly that your entire body aches.”
“I should hit you again,” she groaned.
This time his mouth clamped down against the junction of her neck in a possessive claim. He nipped and sucked with a force that made her knees buckle and drew a pained whimper.
“Try it,” Sebastian whispered once he finally let up. He traced the reddened outline of his handiwork with a smirk. “I guarantee it will end with you face down over our bed learning that one way or another, you will always submit to me. Is that what you want, Taylor? Are you craving a reminder of your place?”
She shivered. The raspy promise in his voice threatened to unravel her and another low throb of desire pulsed inside her. She lowered her eyes, unable to lend voice to the conflicting battle of her thoughts. Sebastian studied her for a long moment then stepped back with a nod.
“Strip and go wait for me on our bed.”
It took effort, but she managed to hide her smile and find enough good grace to hang her head. The cool brush of his fingers along her chin was startling.
“I would be very careful what games you decide to play with me, sweetheart. Sooner or later, that kid is going to come out,” he warned, “and there will be no buffer between us then. If I were you, I would spend my time thinking about what you asked for and praying my water doesn’t turn cold.”
Her eyes darted to his in uncertainty. Ignoring her panic, he directed her toward the bedroom with a stern point. She trudged past him, her heart starting to pound as she pondered the wisdom in her actions. She craved the firmness and control only Sebastian could give. He needed that release just as much as she did, but prodding the man was as dangerous as jabbing a tiger with a stick. She could only pray the pounce would be worse than his bite. Swallowing, she climbed onto the middle of their bed and smoothed a hand over the black and silver comforter.
The minutes seemed to turn to hours as she waited. Her ears strained as she tracked his movements. The forceful jets of the shower switched off, only to be replaced by the more gentle flow of the sink as he brushed his teeth. She listened to the soft click of his deodorant cap, certain that the suspense of his brief grooming was going to drive her insane. That, too, had always been a part of his game.
Her breath was coming in shallow pants by the time Sebastian entered the bedroom. She started to edge closer to the headboard as he approached the side of the bed, the sleek muscles in his body rippling with his graceful prowl.
“Stop moving,” he warned.
She froze, not missing the predatory gleam in his eyes. They trailed over every inch of her, caressing her skin in a languid assessment. Taylor bit the inside of her cheeks as he stared down at her in silent contemplation. She could almost hear the wheels in that intelligent mind of his churning.
“Roll over, Taylor. Get on your hands and knees. Now.”
Her breath came in a shallow exhale. Numb with a combination of desire and anticipation, she did as instructed. Confusion flooded her as he knelt behind her. Sebastian grabbed one of the pillows situated above her head and tucked it beneath her ribs. Snaring another, he lifted her and shoved a second pillow under her hips. The plump mound thrust her forward so that only her forehead and knees touched the mattress. Taylor’s cheeks colored with shame as he parted her thighs and she realized the position not only gave her body added support, but left her spread open, exposed and vulnerable before him.
“Mm. Now isn’t this a beautiful sight?” he asked, both hands spanning her ass. His fingers clamped down in a forceful squeeze. “Have you thought about what I said?”
Her cheeks burned hotter as she nodded her head. “Yes, Sebastian.”
“Is this still what you want, Taylor? Once I start, there’ll be no turning back.”
“I know,” she whispered.
His husky laugh rolled through the room and he splayed a hand against the small of her back, roughly holding her in place. “I sincerely hope for your sake that is true.”
She jerked with an unexpected jolt of pleasure as his fingers probed along her sex. Pressing down, he ground the sensitive bud against her pelvic bone. Her eyes drifted shut. It had been so long since she’d had his body. His touch was a soothing balm to her soul. She craved it, needed it as desperately as the desert yearned for the cooling kiss of rain. Within seconds, her breathing hitched and the promise of release loomed just out of reach. Unable to help herself, she rocked against his ministrations with a throaty moan, no longer caring how brazen or forward it seemed.
Sebastian’s hand stilled. Trailing up, he pushed two fingers deep inside her with a low growl. Her head spun as he pumped the long digits into her body, rocking it with a series of slow, forceful thrusts. Moaning, she buried her face in the mattress and
twisted the sheets. Time and again, he brought her to the brink, only to hold back in the most cruel and delicious of ways. The world hung suspended. All that existed was the ragged sound of their breath and the all-consuming fever of his touch. She shivered as he leaned over, his desire voiced in a sinister rumble. His fist anchored in her hair and jerked her head back. His breath came scorching hot against her ear.
“Do you still want me to rein you back in?”
Fire exploded across her skin as he cracked his hand down on her upturned ass. Startled, she jerked in his grasp with a pleading yelp.
“Answer me, Taylor,” he warned.
Another stinging blow followed. The heat spiraled through her skin and flooded her body with a tingling warmth that rendered her speechless. Her insides throbbed, aching with unfulfilled need. She arched her back and swayed, begging him in a silent plea.
“So defiant,” Sebastian whispered. “Since you don’t want to listen, maybe these will remind you how to behave.”
Her short, staccato cries filled the room as he brought his hand down again and again. It hurt. It burned. The brand of his palm sank deep but, somehow, it was what she needed. There was comfort in the pain. It offered distraction from what felt like insurmountable stress and worry, but more importantly, it offered release. Letting go, she let the heat wind through her senses and sobbed against the mattress.
“Have you had enough, Taylor? Do we have an understanding now?”
“Yes,” she whimpered, trying to catch her breath between sniffles.
Sebastian leaned closer, his fingertips kneading and caressing her stinging skin. “Remember this, darling. No matter what, I will always give you what you need.”
Oblivious to her muffled whimpers, he angled her hips up with a sharp yank. The thick length of his cock probed between her thighs, slicking the way. She stiffened as he pulled back. Bracing herself, she waited for him to enter her in a brutal claim. Instead, he impaled her slowly. The sinewy muscles in his body trembled and strained against her and his groan filled her ears as Sebastian eased himself inside her. Taylor’s eyes drifted shut. The heat, the incredible feel of his body stretching hers and filling her beyond capacity was pure bliss. She tried to rock into him, but he stilled her efforts with growl and held tight. Another stinging blow from his hand brought her upright on her knees.
“You asked for me to take control, sunshine,” he rasped, winding a fist in her hair. “Now you’re trying to take it back. Which is it?”
He eased back then stabbed deep. The unyielding hold on her hair forced her body to arch even harder onto his. Once again, he pushed as far as he could go and held position. The pressure drew a low rumble from his throat. She whimpered as he buried himself to the hilt and ground forward. Her breath came in a ragged pant.
“Seb…please…”
“You’re still trying. Quit trying to manipulate the situation and let it go,” he warned. “Stop begging me.”
She squirmed, cursing his cruelty under her breath. Sebastian caressed the raised pink lines spanning her ass with a chiding tsk.
“You know how I feel about that kind of language, darling. Keep pushing me and I will show you just how cruel I can be.”
Any response she might have had died as he eased back and slid forward with a slow swirl of his hips. The room spun. Colors loomed, breaking in fragments before her eyes. All that mattered was the slow, deep rhythm of his thrusts. She danced on the precipice for what felt like hours. Each time she came too close, he changed pace and angle, leaving her bereft. Sebastian consumed every part of her. His body became a battering ram that brought the most delicious torment and chased all coherent thought away.
Then, the world broke. Release hit so hard and so fast, she couldn’t catch her breath. Winded, Taylor twisted beneath the onslaught, her body shuddering around him. Sebastian faltered for a moment, then resumed driving into her with a determined pace. Unable to escape, Taylor cried out and collapsed against the bed when another orgasm hit. Sweat slicked her skin and puddled beneath her on the sheets as he continued rocking into her, forcing her to take everything he had to give.
Sebastian’s grip tightened. Wresting her back up on her knees, he slammed into her with a possessive snarl. His hips pumped faster, driving his cock harder and deeper, until his lean body trembled against her and the savage growl building in his throat gave way to a strangled cry. Taylor blinked against the cloudy haze gathered before her eyes. The rest of the world still felt so inconsequential, so distant—far away. All she could focus on was the powerful twitch of his body and the fading throb of hers as he came deep inside her.
A few seconds later, Sebastian dropped down beside her with a contented sigh. Drawing her off the mound of pillows, he pulled her against his side into the crook of his shoulder. His skin glistened in the dying remnants of sunlight spilling through the windows and his curls were a golden, sweat-soaked mess. All traces of hardness evaporated with his lazy smile and a sparkle ignited in his striking green eyes. Kissing her temple, he rubbed slow circles against her back until the gentle tremors wracking her started to fade. Still searching her face, Sebastian ran a questioning finger over her ribs.
“Too much?” he asked.
“No,” Taylor whispered, nuzzling closer against his chest. “It was perfect.”
His husky laughter flooded the room as he scrubbed a still unsteady hand across the top of his head. “Good.”
The silence between them was comforting. Taking her hand, he kissed each one of her fingertips.
“I should punish you again,” he murmured. “This time in earnest.”
Confused, Taylor propped herself up on her elbow and searched his eyes. “Why?”
“Because. Now I have to take another shower.”
“No one asked you to perform like a marathon runner in bed,” she retorted.
Sebastian’s throaty laughter filled the room. Rolling on top of her, he captured her face between his hands. “That definitely sounded like a complaint.”
“I’m a little sore,” she admitted.
“Mm. Poor baby. I just wanted to make sure you were satisfied.” A languid smile dangled from his lips while he circled the outline of her breast, leaving a wave of gooseflesh in his wake. “Was I successful in those endeavors, or should I try again?”
“My God, Sebastian. I swear I might cry if you touch me again.”
His prideful smirk offered no apologies. “Yes you will, darling,” he whispered before nibbling softly on her bottom lip. “You’ll cry with pleasure and scream my name. Both of which I love to hear.”
“You are such a brute,” she accused, fighting to hide her smile.
“That I am, Taylor. You would do well to remember that.”
“If it’s any consolation, I don’t think I will be forgetting anytime soon.”
Laughing, he rolled off her. “Quit flattering me. You already got what you wanted. Now get up and come grab a shower with me. I told Josh and Monique we’d join them for dinner at six.”
Just like that, her heart sank. She tried not to let her reluctance show. Dinner parties had never been kind to them. Peeling herself off the damp mattress, she avoided Sebastian’s inquisitive stare and brushed past him. She tried to remind herself that it was just Josh and Monique. They’d shared meals together numerous times in the past and somehow managed to escape the encounters happy and unscathed. Maybe, with any luck at all, tonight would be the same. Still, that reassurance did nothing to silence the fearful voice whispering in her head. History had a nasty tendency of repeating itself.
CHAPTER 5 ~
Taylor’s hold on his arm tightened the minute they walked through the restaurant doors. Stealing a quick glance in her direction, Sebastian watched the wonder and amazement play across her beautiful face. He couldn’t help but feel a small sense of accomplishment and pride. He’d grown up poor, but he’d been enjoying the finer things in life for so long that he’d almost forgotten what it was like to experience them for the
first time. Taylor was far from jaded or immune, and he truly relished the perspective she offered. It was like seeing the world all over again through her eyes. The view was so much more innocent and pure.
Her wide gaze trailed over the rich burnished wood and brass rails before flickering to the overhead canopy of white lights that spanned the ceiling and graced the lush potted trees. True to form, he felt her hesitate beside him. Her free hand instinctually smoothed over her sleek silver dress, seeking to erase any imperfections, and deep lines of worry creased her face. Leaning over, Sebastian brushed a thumb across the swell of her bottom lip.
“Relax, baby. You look amazing,” he murmured. “There isn’t a restaurant or woman alive that could compete with you. Especially not in that dress.”
A flush settled over the high ridges of her cheeks, staining them with rosy hues. Bowing her head, she lowered her eyes with a demure sweep. “You don’t have to flatter me, Sebastian.”
Wrapping a hand around her chin, he forced her gaze to his. “It’s not flattery, Taylor. Suck it up and learn to accept a compliment.”
Her face scrunched with her efforts not to laugh. Unable to help it, her slender shoulders started to shake and her worry lines started to fade. Winking, he wrapped his arm around her waist and steered her toward the back of the restaurant.
Josh and Monique were already seated and waiting. Candlelight flickered across their faces, accenting the coziness of the setting and the intimate padded booth. He paused as his sister glanced up and turned her radiant smile their way. The shimmering cream gown she’d chosen accented her pale beauty and she’d gathered her sleek honey on top of her head in an elegant sweep, like the movie stars of late. It struck him in that moment just how much she looked like their mother.
The notion brought an unwelcome stab of pain and longing to his chest. Doing his best to ignore it, Sebastian forced a smile of his own. Whatever sorrow he felt faded as Aiden sprung to his feet, his face lighting with excitement as he threw his arms around him in a bone-crushing hug.
