Page 17 of Burn for Me

I could easily just drop my weight back, or I can…

My thoughts come to a halt, and the blood rushes faster through my veins as she tightens her hold around my neck. I can feel her fear, the rush in her movements. She’s fighting like her life is on the line.

Too bad her life is already mine.

“Goddamn it, Jasmine.” I huff as I wrap my hand around her wrist and pull her over my shoulder. Her back hits the surface with a loud thump, and an aggravated growl escapes from deep within her throat. I look over her to ensure I didn't cause any harm, but my gaze lingers on where her tank top has ridden up her abdomen, exposing her beautifully toned muscles and the smooth skin irritated from the day's activities.

My tongue flicks out and runs over my bottom lip.

“Ow.” Her tone is too innocent and soft, so I pull my gaze to those fucking perfect features. Relaxed, almost like she’s pouting. I loosen my grip around her wrist, but the moment I do,her fingers are around my dog tags, jerking my head down to the mat, and she's up on her feet.

“I think that's enough for today,” Caspian speaks up.

No, it’s not.She's showing me someone I didn't even know existed. I’m close to whatever lies behind that horned mask she likes to wear, and I have no intention of stopping until I uncover what I've been searching for for so long.

“She didn’t tap,” I growl. Her flushed cheeks, tousled hair, and sweat-soaked, nearly transparent top create an addicting sight as I stand and slowly step in her direction like a predator stalking its prey.

“Haven't had enough yet? COME ON! I can take it.” She bites out, and as soon as I'm close enough, she's swinging again. I grab her fist before it has the chance to connect with my face and force her body to turn with the motion.

“Sam!” Caspian yells as my knee lodges into the back of Jasmines, and she drops back down.

I have never had the intention of hurting her the way I have others–she’s not someone who can trigger me into a haze that makes my motions nearly impossible to control–so I'm not worried. Which means he can stopfuckingyelling.I want to enjoy this.

“No, I haven't had enough yet.” I tut and drop my knees on either side of her waist as she attempts to crawl away. I wasn't dreading this moment out of fear of losing control… I’m worried that being with her in an element that makes me feel vulnerable will finally snap that thin string of restraint I have left.I’ll let her in, and I’ll let go.A hand wraps around my bicep, so I throw my elbow back, and a grunt follows.

“In fact, I'm just getting started.” Grabbing her wrist, I pin them to the surface and drop my head beside her ear with a huff of laughter.

I love the way she fights against me–the fear she radiates, the apparent anger behind her movements–like she’d stand a chance of overpoweringme. Her nails dig into the plush surface, clawing into it, trying to gain leverage, and the plump curve of her arse pushes back against my dick. My humor fades into a groan from the sparks it sends through my system. She goes still, so I tighten my hold, feeling her flesh indent under my fingers and her pulse kiss the pads of my thumbs.

“You think you can take me? You think you can handle what Iwantto give you?” I mutter.

“You don't scare me.” She hisses.

With a subtle shift of my hips, I press more of my weight against her so she can feel howmuchthis is affecting me.

“Then tell me what scares you,” I whisper, and my nose brushes against her hair, letting the way her shampoo lingers against the soft strands ground me as I refrain from running my lips along her sweat-soaked skin.

If she can just give me something to work with–feed me something that'll give me a reason to trust anything she says…

“You can sell your soul to the devil if you want to know that badly.” Her hand pats the mat, and my teeth grind from the motion.

“You already fucking have it.” I bite out and push off of her.

“Run laps! NOW!” Caspian booms while gripping his waist as I barge through the soldiers he had gathered, surely prepared to pry me from her body.

I need a moment to breathe–to think…

I sprint through the large stone wall and start my trek around the miles that surround the base.

Seven

8-25-2024

Doesn’t she realize what I am? What I'm capable of?

-Sam

For once, I regret an action I took. My laps lasted until the sky turned dark, and the soldiers were dismissed from the training grounds for their nightly meal. I didn’t even get my shower at seven-thirty, which fucked with my sleep schedule.

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