Page 29 of Bed of Thorns

I lost count of how many cracks he issued after that, quietly sobbing as the anguish faded away. There was no way to describe the way I felt, but his dominating actions had aroused the darkest part of me. Need mixed together with unbridled desire. I gasped for air, trying to fill my lungs, praying we’d both survive this.

After the last two strikes, he collapsed over me, placing his arms over mine, unfolding my white-knuckled fingers from the table. With our fingers intertwined, our hearts beating together, the demon living inside of him was given a reprieve, satisfied.

For now.

But how long would that last?

* * *

I’d called in sick, which is something I’d never done before, but I needed time to process what had happened between us. I’d never considered myself to be a romantic, likely because even after all the first dates and flash starts, there hadn’t been a man who’d enticed me long enough to follow through with date number two. Plus, several had been freaking disasters.

As the hot water cascaded over my skin, I remained unblinking as I watched it swirl several times before the pull of the drain swept it away. If only a huge vacuum could pull the doubt and continued concern from my mind, a tornado ripping all the nastiness and memories into a state of oblivion.

There was no such possibility.

Sighing, I lowered my head, the scalding temperature both tingling and painful across my bruised bottom. The dancing vibrations reminded me of how harsh the punishment had been.

The sudden swell of cold air caused me to jump, although a strangled laugh slipped from my mouth.

He was here.

He was hungry.

I slapped both hands against the cheap surface of the shower, part of me wanting to push him away, but knowing it couldn’t happen.

He was my everything as well.

Edmond said nothing as he brushed his hands down my back, kneading my aching ass cheeks for a few seconds. I finally shifted my head over my shoulders, still gasping for air. He’d walked outside after delivering the round of punishment, standing on the front porch and staring up at the sky. Maybe he was trying to shove the ugliness aside, accepting that he’d finally been given an opportunity to chase his dreams.

Now, as he touched me, I shifted into the lost moment that I’d felt before, all time and everything around us ceasing. I hated the silence more than anything, the horrible racing of my heart, the solid thumping the only noise.

The way he moved my legs apart was telling. His hunger knew no bounds. There was no way to shove him away, to try to collect the remnants of my rational mind or my life. He was my life now whether I could accept it or not.

Even though he eased his hands around my waist, slowly sliding his fingers to my breasts, I’d never felt so alone in my life. There was no reason. He was here. He was larger than life. But something stood in the way of giving myself to the angry man without reservation.

Yet when he thrust his cock inside, the moan escaping my mouth was all about the roar of ecstasy, the need that clawed at every muscle, the blood racing through my veins turning into vapor because of the extreme heat. I lowered my head, once again staring at the swirling water, trying to catch my breath as he powered into me. Everything about him was exciting yet exasperating, pushing me closer to a line I’d never thought I could cross.

He wanted me.

I wanted him.

It was that simple.

Or was it?

His actions were savage, pumping with such ferocity that the animalistic sounds erupting from the depths of his being were even more barbaric. I pushed forcefully against the wall, taking the hard fucking as I arched my back.

The dazzling sensations roaring through me stole my breath. I gasped for air as I’d done before, certain I would fall into an abyss. He rose onto the balls of his feet, changing the angle, driving into me with utter passion as well as continued anger. He was taking what he believed belonged to him.

And I was a willing victim.

Harder and faster he plunged, our combined moans a feast for the ears. I tossed my head back and forth as a climax drove me onto my toes. Nothing had prepared me for this man. This moment. Gasping, my body shook violently as the orgasm swept through me, stealing what was left of my rational mind.

I couldn’t be without him.

Not now.

Not ever.

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