Page 26 of Under Pressure

“I have?” he rebuffed in a deep drawl, taking a step forward. “What a way to appreciate someone. And I’d think you’d be thanking me.”

“Why would I thank you?” she snapped, irritated at his casual tone. “You are stalking me! For what reason? Look at what you are doing to me. Hell, look at what you’ve done to me!”

A few tears threatened to escape her eyes, though she bit her lip to contain the eruption. She held it back, reminding herself that he didn’t deserve to see her like that.

After a brief pause, he replied coolly, “And what exactly have I done to you—except for saving your tight little ass?”

“Why don’t you save me from yourself?” She slammed against his chest, trying to send the unmovable mass of muscle backward. “Save me from what you are doing to me.”

But his body didn’t budge, continuing to loom over her.

“Pray tell… What am I doing to you?” He rolled his tongue along his bottom lip, seeming to savor every moment of her agony.

“God, Delta—isn’t it obvious?” She waved her hands, livid. She didn’t want to spell it out for him, but a tear betrayed her, trickling down her heated cheek.

“Tell me— I want to know what I’m doing to you.”

Kendra was resolved to remain silent, unwilling to give him what he sought, but passion flushed up her neck. He drilled his dark gaze into her. It was damn clear that he knew exactly what he was doing and wanted gratification. He wanted her to break. Even in that shadowy parking lot, she could see his jaw flexing and his shoulders tightening in that same way she remembered when he once was on top of her, ravaging her.

“As stubborn as always”—he gripped her arms, yanking her up into him—“with a resolve that I’d love nothing more than to break.”

“You’ll never break me,” she cried, wriggling to break free. “Get that into your fucked-up head.”

“A little discipline would go a long way in smartening you up.”

He let out a low, dark laugh—less amused, more threatening—holding her tighter against his chest. Digging in, he roughly traced down to the small of her back, driving sensation through her body.

“I’m sure you’d love to discipline me.” Her lips parted as her tone grew mocking. “Wouldn’t you, Daddy?”

“I would.”

His tone didn’t waver as he trailed his eyes up and down her body. He edged his teeth over his bottom lip, machinations clearly roiling in his mind.

“Don’t even try,” she countered, trying to push away. “You have no authority here.”

“Don’t challenge me,” he growled, tightening his grip to keep her where he wanted. “You know I’m competitive, and you know I like to win.”

“I know something else, too. I’ll never be yours.”

Her lips pursed as she tried to prevent her voice from cracking, not wanting to show him the agony he caused her. Her words seemed to echo through the space, processing what she said. She was struck by a sudden silence, locking eyes with him when it hit Kendra—the strange aching in his gaze.

“Matteo…” she quickly whispered, a rawness escaping from her throat. “I—”

“Don’t—” he snapped back.

Eyes on fire, Delta dropped his head to take her mouth for his own once more—without permission, without apologies. And she remembered he didn’t take orders. He gave them, which only made her thighs shake. He kissed her well, just how she liked it—opening her mouth with his, passionately compelling her to play. Her blood pumped harder and harder as she surrendered to him, tasting his tongue. Her chest continued to lurch as she fell harder into his sculpted arms, letting him hold her, feeling her emotions boiling over.

Something about that kiss must have been different—less controlled, wilder, like he was sending a clear message. The dominance that always turned her on intensified, frightening her just enough. One thing was for sure. Delta never had to try to dominate her. He just did. She hated it, but it was true. And like she was his to enjoy, he roughly ran his hands up and down her body, gripping and grabbing as he wanted, stirring that crazy response in her. Lingering, burning desire and wetness tingled at the entrance to her pussy, pleading once again for his masterful touch.

He’s winning, a bitter voice screamed in the back of her mind. Don’t let him.

“Enough!” She pushed back like she’d touched open flame.

Spinning on her heels, unwilling to catch his gaze lest she falter, she sped into the hotel. If there was one thing she heard as she left, it was a hungry growl escaping his likely enraged mouth. Sure enough, there was one thing she could depend on with Delta. He never ceased to keep things exciting.

Chapter Eleven

The mattress in this hotel is a little too hard and lumpy for someone coming off the type of day I’ve had, Kendra thought as she ran her fingers over the starchy white sheets, closing her eyes. If she hadn’t had so much to drink, she’d be driving home and getting the hell out of Dodge—and the room wouldn’t be spinning.

---