Page 63 of Bonded Chaos

“What you are, Cadence, is MY fucking woman,” Ryker growled as he slammed a palm against his bare chest.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Ryker,” I said in a sultry tone. “I belong to no man, and when I escape this place, you’ll see that for the truth it is.”

Ryker lunged for me, his hand wrapping around my throat as he dragged me to him. My legs landed on either side of his thick thighs and my ass rested on the edge of the desk.

I gasped, unable to conceal the excited sound.

“You say that I don’t own you, Temptress,” Ryker sneered as he gathered my skirt in his grasp and pulled it up to my waist.

His fingers dipped inside my panties, and he groaned against my throat as he found me dripping wet for him.

“But your cunt tells a different story.”

I raised my knee and slammed it awkwardly into his side. Ryker jolted, and it was enough to break his hold. I raced acrossthe room and jumped onto the bed in a desperate attempt to escape him. Futile, as it was.

“I don’t care how much my body betrays me. My mind will never stop fighting you.”

Ryker straightened, pain pinching the corner of his eyes as he rubbed his side.

“You’ll pay for that, Cadence.”

“I’ll kill you, Ryker. If you lay your hands on me, I’ll fucking kill you!”

“All this because of an insignificant fiancée?” he scoffed as he threw his arms wide. “She’s a figurehead, Cadence. Nothing more.”

It was my turn to scoff.

“You’re marrying her, Ryker. That will undoubtedly come with some responsibilities, no. Unless I’m mistaken, you’ll need to fuck an heir into her to ensure the line of succession. I suspect the kingdom won’t look favorably on you if you outsource that task.”

Ryker stared at me before breaking out into a wicked grin.

“My, my, my, Cadence. You can deny it all you want, but your jealousy is showing.”

I ground my teeth together because fuck him, he was right.

I was jealous. And that made me the stupidest woman in the realm.

“Besides, with everyone’s attention on her, they won’t be looking at you. My marriage to Celeste protects you, Cadence.”

“Oh, my apologies,” I said in a saccharine tone. “I guess I should thank you then.”

With a sudden burst of speed, Ryker was across the room and standing right in front of me. An undignified squeal escaped me, and I grabbed the closest thing I could find and hurled it at him.

He ducked his head and avoided being struck by the book I’d been reading the night prior. He didn’t hesitate as he reached out and gripped my ankle before tugging me toward him.

I tumbled to the mattress, my fall cushioned by the soft pillows and comforter. A tearing sound filled the room, and I peered down, surprised to see the front of my bodice torn in two.

“Oh no, you don’t,” I hissed as I scrambled away from him.

I was no match for his strength, however, and he proved it a moment later when he flipped me onto my stomach and pinned my hands at the base of my spine.

“Stop. Fucking. Fighting. Me.”

His words only egged me on. I bucked and kicked and even scratched whatever part of him I could reach from my restrained position.

“Fuck!” he snapped. “Those claws of yours are sharp, Temptress.”

“Good,” I said with a ragged breath. “I hope you bleed to death.”

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