Page 80 of Villainous Summer

We struggled for a moment, and I was about to yell when a voice said, “She said let her go.”

Van stood in front of us with my purse in one hand. His jaw was tight as he stared at where Cory was gripping my arm.

“Stay out of this—”

“I told you to get your hands off her.” Van wrenched Cory’s hand off my elbow in a move so quick I couldn’t understand.

Cory was left kneeling, clutching his wrist to his chest. “What the fuck, man. This isn’t your business.”

“Not my business? What kind of man puts his hands on a woman? Even if I were a stranger, you’d still be on the floor.” Van hissed, towering over Cory with a malicious glint in his eyes. “But I’m not a stranger. So, I’ll say this once and only once. You will never again touch what is mine. Do you understand? You lay a finger on her, and I’ll break it and every other bone in your body.”

Redness crept up Cory’s neck as he huffed and contorted his face. “Whatever. She’s not worth it.” His hand still on his chest, he got up and walked to the group.

“Did you break his wrist?” I asked.

“He’ll live.” He narrowed his glare on Cory’s back. He glanced at me, and for the first time, I saw his unbridled might.

Never was there a moment I didn’t think he was strong, but to have that power turned against you was a sight.

I took an instinctive step back.

Van took my upper arm, gripping enough to steer me but not to hurt.

I followed, tripping in my heels.

His jaw was a hard line as he stared straight ahead. We made our way down a dirt path that led to a waterfront park.

A few feet away from the rocky shore, he stopped at a tree, bracketing me with his arms. The abrasive bark dug into my back as I stared up at him, half scared, half entranced.

“Care to explain why another man had his hands on you like that?”

“It’s none of your business.” I stepped forward to get away, but his arms were too strong on each side of me.

“Don’t push me, Summer. I’m an inch away from going back in there and committing a felony.”

“You wouldn’t.” I gasped. “It’s not worth it.”

His jaw setting, he glared down at me. “Being with you is pushing me to my limits. At this point, I’m torn between beating that man within an inch of his life or fucking you against this tree so that you know who you belong to.”

Indignation and desire warred in me.

“I don’t belong to you. Of all the pigheaded, fucked-up things to say.”

He stepped closer, his hard body pressing me against the rough bark.

Goose bumps traveled up my arms, and I realized we were alone.

With one hand, he coiled it around my throat. His thumb traced my lower lip. “Your body says different. I never wanted to possess someone before, but you bring out the worst in me.”

His anger rolled off him in waves.

“I want—” He gritted his teeth, huffing loudly.

“Then, fucking do it.”

The kiss we shared at his house was tender passion, but this was raw, a sharper edge to each flick of his tongue.

Somehow, he unzipped my dress, and it was falling over my shoulders, my breasts bared to the night. His teeth scraped the side of my neck as he bent down as the tree bark rubbed my bare skin, but I didn’t care. He hoisted me up, and my legs wrapped around his waist.

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