Page 74 of Silent Oaths
Herhead lolls forward, a few strands of hair sticking to the sheen of sweat on her face.Ibrush them away, tilting her chin up so she has no choice but to meet my gaze.Herpupils are blown wide, and there’s something hazy in her expression, like half awareness, half surrender.
Idrag my thumb over her lower lip, pressing down just enough to make her gasp. “Youfeel it, don’t you?”Iwhisper. “Theneed to fight but the urge to give in.It’sintoxicating, isn’t it,Siren?”
Sheshivers but doesn’t answer.
Iexhale sharply, my restraint hanging by a thread.Watchingher was torture.Everygasp, every twitch, every desperate plea had set my blood on fire.Andnow, she’s right here, completely at my mercy.
Ilean in, my breath hot against her ear. “Myturn.”
Hereyes widen, glinting with the instinct to argue.She’stoo drained, though, and whenIreach up to unfasten her restraints, she doesn’t fight me.
Icatch her before she can slump forward, gathering her into my arms with ease.She’strembling, her body boneless against mine, her breath coming in shallow pants against my throat as her scent clings to me.
Theroom is quiet, save for the distant noises of the masquerade ball continuing downstairs.Laughter, music, the occasional burst of cheers—they’re completely detached from what just happened here.
Weexit the dark playroom, leavingJulianandMaxwellbehind.Thismoment isn’t for them.
Ipush through the adjoining door into a bedroom with a large bed in the center, the sheets crisp and untouched.
Itwon’t stay that way for long.
LoweringIsabelonto the mattress,Iwatch as she sinks into it, her breath hitching when she feels the cool sheets against her fevered skin.Sheblinks up at me, disoriented, her limbs too weak to move.
Istep back, dragging a hand through my hair asItake her in.
Mymind reels with the sheer number of thingsIwant to do to her.
Therise and fall of her chest is uneven, her lips still slightly parted, her thighs pressed together, as if she’s trying to hold onto what’s left of her sanity.
Shewon’t have it for much longer.
“I’mgoing to take my time.Niceand slow.I’mgoing to finally make you mine.”
Isabel’sfingers twitch against the sheets.She’sstill in there somewhere, that defiant little spark buried beneath the exhaustion, waiting to ignite.
“See,”Icontinue, slipping off my mask before shrugging out of my suit jacket, “MaxwellandJulianlove to play with you like a toy—tease you, push you, make you come undone just for the thrill.Theytake pleasure in breaking you apart.”
Iunfasten the first button of my shirt, then another.Isabelwatches me closely.
“Thedifference,”Isay, tilting my head asIstep closer, “is thatIdon’t just want to play with you,Isabel.”Ireach the last button and slip the shirt from my shoulders, letting it pool at my feet. “Iwant to own you.Everypart of you.Yourbody, your mind…”Itrail my fingers along the edge of the bed, just barely brushing against her arm. “Yoursoul.”
Isabelshudders, her mouth parting as if she wants to argue.
Ismirk, reaching for her chin and tilting her face up to mine. “Andthe best part?”Mythumb drags over the soft curve of her jaw. “Youalready know it’s inevitable.”
Herlips part just slightly beneath the weight of my touch.Ican feel the battle waging inside her, see the last embers of resistance in those stormy eyes.
Ibrush my thumb over her lower lip, savoring the way her chest rises sharply beneath my touch. “Fightingis useless.”Isay in a near whisper, but the authority in my voice leaves no room for doubt. “Weboth know how this ends.”
Myfingers trace the sensitive skin where the marks from the restraints still linger.
Aquiet chuckle rumbles in my chest asItrail my lips lower, down the slender column of her neck.Ifeel her pulse hammer beneath my mouth, fast and uneven.
Mylips continue their path, grazing over her collarbone, down the delicate slope of her shoulder, each touch leaving a trail of heat in its wake.She’snaked, stripped bare from whenMaxwelltore her gown from her body, nothing left to hide her from me.
Hernipples are tight, her skin covered in goosebumps.
She’sbeautiful like this.
