Page 96 of Maddox

“Like hell I do. Don’t you know I’m scared to death?”

“You should be, but you have a funny way of showing it.” I took a few seconds, rubbing my hand down her spine to the crack between her buttocks. Even breathing was difficult around her, so much so I was forced to take a few seconds.

I returned to punishing her, my belt bringing forth a gasp with each strike. As she began to pant from a mixture of pain and what was almost certainly pleasure, I paused, catching my breath.

Her whimpers continued, her bottom turning a deeper red.

She continued studying me, her chest rising and falling. “I don’t blame you.” She said it so quietly I almost didn’t hear her.

“For what?”

“For doing this. I’m sorry. I’m just… out of sorts.” She licked her lips, turning her head slightly. Her reflection highlighted her confusion and her fear.

Now I felt guilty even if she did deserve the punishment.

“Just a couple more.”

She didn’t fight me. She didn’t argue. She simply remained where she was, refusing to look at our combined reflection.

My chest was tight, but I followed through with my earlier decision, cracking the belt across her bared skin four more times. Only I realized the strikes hadn’t been given with the same intensity as before. Still, her stained skin was a reminder that I’d marked her.

I was forced to accept that she’d unraveled all the tight defenses I’d placed around me in a few days’ time.

She’d picked apart layers of hate and anger, of uncertainty and self-deprecating needs. I wasn’t certain whether to be angry with her or continue finding her actions irresistible.

As soon as I dropped the belt, she hung her head, her knuckles now white from the force used in holding onto the counter.

There were no words that could be said, nothing that would ease either her mental anguish or physical discomfort. Maybe I’d crossed a line. Maybe I’d forgotten the cardinal rule I’d placed on myself long before I’d met her.

Never to get involved with anyone I’d rescued or was asked to protect.

Even with the stark reminder, I crowded her space as I’d done one too many times, pressing my body against hers. As before, itfelt good being this close to her. Her chest continued to rise and fall and I could feel her rapidly beating heart. I placed my hands beside hers, never blinking as I studied her beautiful face. She was one of the most incredible women I’d ever met.

Gorgeous.

Intelligent.

Ballsy.

She slowly lifted her head, her eyes dancing in the fluorescent light. Her lower lip was quivering and the way her long dark lashes skimmed her cheeks was far too arousing. My cock was pressed against her bottom, my balls tight as drums.

When she pushed back against me, another rush of hunger tossed out the earlier frustrations. I couldn’t seem to get enough of her. This wasn’t a relationship. This wasn’t forever. And I wasn’t the kind of man who could fall in love with anyone.

Yet…

She eased her hands over mine, forcing us to intertwine our fingers. The closeness was everything we both needed.

Even if it was nothing that could last.

I rubbed against her, drinking in the sweet scent of our earlier sex. Her eyes never left mine and her breathing remained shallow. Whether or not she knew me, she’d placed her trust in me and by God, I’d follow through with my promise.

She shifted her hips back and forth, creating extreme friction. When I removed my hand from hers, she bit her lip and her body stiffened. I pulled her back against me, creating a space between us, and slid my hand between her legs.

Her smile was slight, a warm flush sweeping across her cheeks. All the while watching me.

Hungering for me.

Needing me.

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