Page 9 of Double Dare

When I make it to the landing of the second floor, I stop, cross my arms over my chest, and wait for him to catch up, all while kicking myself for my response. I know he’s a bad man. I know I shouldn’t be attracted to him in the slightest. But with the same token, if I want to keep Dario safeandensure I get my inheritance, I need to play along. No matter how conflicted it makes me feel.

Morals have no place in this game.

Adrian catches up, stepping onto the landing beside me before grabbing my bicep and pulling me with him as he walks. “You see, Danica, I thought you and I could get along in some form or fashion—that your time with me wouldn’t be all miserable—but you’re making it very hard to be a decent man.”

Every word I just told myself leaves my brain. “Decent?” I laugh. “Decent would be a very bad descriptor to use on yourself.” I plant my feet to the ground and jerk from his hold. “However, selfish, murderous, brooding, and arrogant will suffice if you’re taking suggestions.”

He turns, a wicked smile on his lips, and charges at me. I try to run, but it’s pointless. Every door on the floor is locked, he’s a lot faster, and my Louboutins aren’t modeled by athletes for a reason.

His arms wrap around my stomach from behind and lift me from the ground. I throw my elbows back as he starts to walk, but each hit is dodged. “Put me down!” I scream, and when that doesn’t work, I try something else. “Help me!”

I can feel his body shake with laughter as we make it down the opposite side of the hall, and he finally sets me down. Grabbing a handful of my hair, he yanks me so I stay close to his body as he opens one of the numerous doors.

“Scream, love. No one will be coming to save you.” Pushing me inside, he drops my hair and forces my body to the ground. “This is your room. I had planned to just lock you in here for the night so you couldn’t run, but it’s clear you need a lesson in good manners and respecting your host.”

I turn on my knees and face him. His hand moves to the waist of his pants and starts unbuckling his belt. I crawl backward, knowing exactly what must be coming, and I’m definitely not ready for it. When my back hits the footboard of the bed, I realize I have nowhere left to go. Pulling my knees to my chest, I cover my face and wait for the impact, but it never comes.

“You can talk all the shit you want. Try and tell yourself you don’t want me, but you came here willingly. You made the choice, and now you’re mine whether you like it or not.”

Dropping my hands, I look up and see his dick in hand, already hard. It catches me off guard. Here I was thinking he was going to beat me, but instead he wants to… fuck me?

“Don’t stop now, love. Your fight is the best part.” He smiles, pumping his cock in his fist.

Curling my lip, I drag myself to my feet and use the bed to help brace my shaky legs. “You’re disgusting.”

He shrugs, never slowing his hand. “I’ve been called worse,” he starts. “Like selfish, murderous, brooding, and arrogant.” He throws my words back at me.

“Fuck you, Adrian.”

“You want to, don’t you?” he asks, stalking forward. “And that makes you mad, doesn’t it?”

When I don’t answer, he stops in front of me, still stroking himself. “Just give in, Danica. The bad side isn’t as bad as you think.”

I shake my head. “I never want to be with a man like you.”

“And why’s that?” He tips his head, working himself even faster.

Because you’re a terrible person, and it scares me,I think to myself, careful not to mutter my thoughts out loud.

“Is it because unlike other men, I’m not scared of shit? I take what I want when I want it. I don’t bend or break for anyone. Not even a woman.”

“Is that supposed to magically make me melt?” I spit.

He chuckles. “It doesn’t matter what it’s supposed to do. It’s a matter of what it’s already doing. Breaking you is going to be so fun,” he replies, motioning to where my knees press together, and moves even closer so I can feel the head of his cock through my dress. Precum seeps through the silk and marks my lower stomach.

“I don’t want you, Adrian. I want nothing more than to leave and forget all about you, but you won’t let that happen, will you?”

Reaching behind him with his free hand, he grabs his gun, then brings it to my head. “Nope.” I squeeze my eyes shut and bite the inside of my cheeks. “You need to be punished, remember?”

I stay silent, palming the outside of my thighs, digging my nails into the skin. It’s the only thing reminding me this is real—the pain.

“Get on the bed, love.”

Opening my eyes, I do as he says. Every movement I make is out of fear—at least that’s what I tell myself as I try and push the excitement crawling up my stomach down. I don’t want to face the fact that my mind is already reeling at the thoughts of what he’ll do to me—how he’ll make me feel and the pleasure he’ll evoke. Brushing past him, I sit on the edge of the bed and lay my hands flat in my lap. He takes his time advancing to where I sit, and it makes me shake.

Punishment by definition means the infliction or imposition of a penalty as retribution for an offense. I know my offense—I mouthed off and tried to run—but his infliction? I don’t even want to think about it. He killed a man right in front of me and didn’t even blink. There is no telling what he will do to me. All I can hope is it won’t be painful because I’d much rather have his pleasure instead.

“Pull your dress up,” he instructs, finally dropping his thick length.

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