Page 81 of Controlled Burn
“Already did.
She shoved at him. He didn’t move. Instead, he pinned her harder, letting her struggle just enough—letting her feel how easily he could hold her there. Her legs shifted. Her hips rolled forward—barely perceptible.
But he noticed. God, he noticed.
“You can tell yourself you hate this,” he said, breath ragged in her ear. “You can pretend you want something softer. But we both know what you crave.”
Her fingers curled in his shirt.
“I crave not being treated like a secret,” she hissed.
He let go—just enough for her to move. But she didn’t.
Dean stepped back, voice hoarse. “You want to be mad? Be mad. But don’t pretend you didn’t like being ruined.”
Her throat worked as she swallowed fire. Her hips twitched. He saw it. Smirked.
“You’re soaked, aren’t you?” he murmured, low and cruel.
She didn’t deny it.
He cupped her through her pants—slow, deliberate—palm pressing heat into her core.
She gasped, helpless to hide it.
“You let them film you?”
She jerked her head away, shame and anger flaring. “I didn’t know—”
“But you let them fuck you. That was real. That wasn’t a rumor.”
Her voice broke. “I didn’t beg.”
He leaned in, his lips brushing her hairline. “You’re close now.”
She closed her eyes, breath stuttering, desire and humiliation wound tight in her chest.
“You’re filthy,” he whispered.
Her eyes snapped open, blue fire blazing. “Then get your hands off me.”
He pulled away—slow, every second a challenge.
“Careful what you ask for,” he said. “Because the second you say stop—I’m gone.”
She stared at him. “Is that a threat?”
“No. That’s mercy.”
He turned. Paused at the door.
His voice was cruel and soft all at once. “You want to be wanted so bad, Cross? Just wait. Someone else will come along. This place chews up scandals. You’ll be old news soon.”
He was gone.
Talia stayed frozen—throat stinging, thighs aching, not crying. She could still feel his hand. The shame. The heat. So tangled inside her, they were indistinguishable.
And worst of all? She wanted more. Not despite the way he made her feel. Because of it.
