Page 54 of Fierce Pursuit

I could already picture those same full lips stretched open around the hard length of my cock as I held on tight to her hair, which was still tousled and wild from the last time I had my fist wrapped around her silky locks.

She squared her shoulders, which only served to push out her breasts; peeking through the open zipper of her jacket and the edges of her shawl, they were easily seen through the thin sweater she wore. Dammit. She shouldn’t be running through the fucking streets of Chicago at night in the middle of winter with only a thin, imitation leather jacket.

Feeling the force of my gaze, she closed the sides of her jacket while wrapping her arms over her chest. “I thought I could disappear there.”

My hand curled into a fist in my struggle to control my anger. I really fucking hated being lied to, but I especially hated hearing lies from my little rabbit’s lips. It made me want to haul her over my lap and spank the truth out of her. “Bullshit.”

She closed her eyes briefly at the sharp bark of myresponse. Refusing to meet my gaze, she fired back, “That’s my answer. Don’t blame me if you don’t like it.”

I snatched her chin and forced her head up. “Do you have any idea how much danger you are in right now?”

Her gaze shifted to the door behind me then back.

My mouth curved into a slow smile. I leaned in lower, my breath mingling with hers. “Go ahead. I dare you.”

Her lower lip trembled as her gaze shifted once more to the door then back.

Part of me silently encouraged her.Do it, babygirl. Give me a reason.

She lifted her head, breaking my hold. “Anyone ever tell you you’re a bully?”

“All the time.” Though usually it was more that I was a demon sent from hell to torment them, but sure, bully worked too.

She lowered her head.

If I had a heart, it would have broken at the soft, defeated sound of her sigh.

I wanted to take her into my arms and tell her that she was safe, that there was no more reason to run…but I didn’t.

It was a false promise.

She wasn’t safe with me.

I might be able to protect her from Solovyov and his intentions but in this moment, locked in this small room, she had a far more pressing danger threatening her…me.

Her voice was barely above a whisper. “What happens now?”

I rose to my full height and leaned back against thedoor again. Less temptation. “What happens now is you answer my questions.”

Her fingers twisted on her lap. “And if I can’t?”

“You mean if you won’t?”

She glanced up at me, peering out from behind a curtain of silky blonde hair, a spark of defiance in her eyes. “If I won’t…”

I rubbed my hand over my abdomen as my shaft lengthened. It was game time. “Well,moy zaichonok, you and I have twenty hours alone in this room."

I let the words press into her. Let her feel them settle like shackles on her wrists.

"There are several ways we could spend that time," I continued, tilting my head. I let my gaze drag down her body, slow and assessing, watching how her fingers twisted into the hem of her sweater. "Some…are far more pleasant than others."

Her cheeks hollowed as she clenched her jaw, appearing to physically swallow a bratty retort.

At her continued silence, I pushed off from the door and let my hand drop to my belt, fingers unfastening the buckle with slow precision. The metal clinked in the silence.

She sucked in a sharp breath. "What are you doing?"

I pulled the belt free, sliding it slowly from the loops, letting the leather whisper against the fabric. Folding it in half, I ran my fingers down its length before snapping it through the air.

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