Page 148 of Undisputed Chaos
Another step forward, another step back. We moved across the clearing in this deadly dance, my retreat perfectly measured by his advance.
My heart hammered against my ribs, but the fear had transformed into something hot and dangerous that pooled in my core.
"Tell me, angel," Adrian's voice dropped to a growl that seemed to resonate in my bones. "Did it make you wet, watching me claim what's mine?"
The crude question sent a forbidden ache racing through my body, a rush of heat that answered his question more honestly than my words ever could.
I'd never thought of myself as someone who would be aroused by this kind of violence, by the dark promise in Adrian's eyes.
But here, in this clearing, with the memory of him destroying the man who’d tried to hurt me, I couldn't deny the truth.
My back hit solid bark.
A tree at the edge of the clearing. I was trapped, cornered like prey at the end of a hunt.
Adrian closed the distance between us in two long strides, his looming frame caging me against the rough trunk.
One tattooed hand shot out, wrapping around my throat just above the ribbon that marked me as his.
His grip was firm but controlled, exerting just enough pressure to remind me of his strength.
“Caught you," he whispered, bending low until his lips brushed against my ear. "Did you really think you could escape me?"
His other hand tangled in my hair, tugging my head back to expose the column of my throat.
His teeth grazed the sensitive skin there, making me gasp despite myself.
The mix of fear and desire was intoxicating, leaving me dizzy and clinging to his shoulders for support.
"You're mine, Isla," he growled against my pulse, where my blood raced beneath his lips. "Every inch of you belongs to me. And I'll destroy anyone who tries to take what's mine."
In one motion, he spun us both, pulling me down with him as he dropped to the grassy floor. I landed with my belly across his lap, the position leaving me vulnerable and exposed.
His hand remained firm on my throat while the other maintained its grip in my hair, keeping my head pulled back at an angle that forced me to meet his wild gaze above me.
"Do you know what I wanted to do to him?" Adrian whispered, his lips brushing against my ear. "For putting his hands on you? For trying to take you from me?"
His fingers tightened on my throat, just enough to make my breath hitch.
"I wanted to cut him into pieces. I wanted to make him screamuntil his vocal cords shredded. I wanted to carve my name into his flesh so everyone would know what happens when they touch what's mine."
A shudder ran through me at his words. Not disgust, but a dark arousal. This was a side of Adrian I'd glimpsed but never fully witnessed, the predator beneath the playful exterior laid bare.
"You should be terrified right now," he continued, his voice a dangerous rumble against my skin.
"You should be fighting, screaming, running from the monster you just saw. But you're not, are you, angel? Because you liked it. You wanted to know what I would do for you."
His hand slid from my throat to cup my jaw, thumb brushing over my lower lip.
"Tell me the truth, Isla. Were you afraid of me, or afraid of how much you liked what you saw?"
The question was heavy with meaning. I swallowed hard, finding my voice at last.
"Both," I whispered, the admission feeling like surrender. "I was afraid of what you were capable of... and afraid of how much I liked seeing it."
Adrian's smile was dangerous, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "That's my good girl. So honest." His grip in my hair tightened, tilting my head back further.
"Do you want to run from me again? I'll give you a head start."
