I’d waved off the soldiers I’d left to guard against Caroline’s escape, preferring an evening alone with her. Bruno knew how to keep himself scarce, allowing my privacy. There was no lock on the bedroom door, no chains holding her in place. There would be no cage to lock her in or basement to hide her away from the rest of the world. She would learn to accept her place by my side through time and training.
I would not fail. Not her. Not myself.
I found her in my office, her bare feet curled under her. While there was a book in her hand, she wasn’t reading, her arm in her lap. She was staring at the fire, unblinking. When I walked in, there was no movement other than a single twitch in the corner of her mouth. She was frightened of me.
I walked toward my desk, tossing the stack of mail from the box across the surface. For all my bravado, carrying on a conversation with her was difficult. The same dogged darkness infused every cell, leaving an odd taste in my mouth. No woman had ever had this kind of effect on me.
“What do you want from me?” she asked quietly, her words almost inaudible.
“I already told you, Caroline.”
She lifted her head, her look even more sullen than before. “You told me what my father needed to hear in order to sell me off like white trash. I want to hear your words, if you can bother. Why do you want me? You could have anyone. You could have destroyed my father in so many other ways, but you chose to ruin my life. I deserve a real answer.”
I was stunned that her question caught me by surprise. She was so hell bent on revenge and control that I hadn’t faced the possibility that my unhinged method of taking her as my future bride had nothing to do with the senator. The words didn’t form, the thoughts scattered at best. Damn this woman and my desire for her. I exhaled, a combination of internal rage and longing keeping my cock stiff and my balls tight. “Because you deserve a better life.”
Her eyes slowly drifted from my face to my desk then back up. A full ten seconds ticked by. “I’ll accept that. For now.” Pushing the book to the side, she eased out of the chair, walking slowly toward the door. “You’re a dangerous man, just as you said, but quite frankly, I don’t give a shit. I’ll do what you want and be a good little girl, Dominick, but you will never break me, nor will you ever have my heart. I’m far too broken already.”
As she walked out, taking cautious steps, I held up my hands, turning them over and over. My entire life had been about violence, breaking people in one method or another. I didn’t understand love and I’d never wanted a family. How could I possibly make her my wife?
I slammed my hand on the desk, rage drowning out everything else then swept my hand across, jagged spots forming in front of my eyes as the crashing sound filtered into my ears. This wasn’t anything like what I’d expected. All I’d seen was the blood red of my revenge, never considering her feelings. Even still, I wanted her like putty in my hands, succumbing to my every need, begging for my cock as well as my firm hand. What I didn’t want was her total resignation, drowning out the vivacious woman inside.
After taking several deep breaths, I stormed through the house until I found her in the kitchen, a bottle of wine in one hand, an opener in another.
“You don’t get the last word, Caroline, and you never will.”
A single huff slipped from her mouth as she scuttled to drop the items onto the counter, backing away. “I’m not your possession.”
Grabbing both wrists, I pulled her into my arms. “I want you. Make no mistake about it. I’ve craved you for months. Your mouth sucking my cock. Your hands touching my naked skin. Your body yielding for me. I want nothing less than everything you are and all that you have. And I will have it.”
Caroline shuddered against me, her lips twisting from fear and a true loathing for me, but she didn’t struggle.
But I’d never forget the burn in her eyes. Retaliation. Revenge. She would fight to the death to remain true to herself.
That only made me want to break her more. God damn. What had I turned into?
I captured her mouth, gripping her neck with one hand as I slid the other around her waist, yanking her against me. The kiss was more powerful than any before, forcing my cock to full attention. My hunger was off the charts, the electricity soaring through my cells, combusting into a full-fledged fire. I was shaken by my needs, the primal hunger rushing into every corner of my body. I shoved my tongue inside, tasting her sweet essence, a man dying of thirst. She was the only person who could quench it.
Undulating in my arms, she moaned into the kiss, her arms finally relaxing, one hand wrapping around my neck. She clenched my shirt as I arched her back, the intimate moment wild and unbridled. The feel of her breasts crushed against me was almost painful given my intense need. I fumbled with her thin dress, yanking the hem until I could reach underneath. Just feeling her panties drove me into a crazed frenzy, fighting in order to touch her. I swirled my finger around her clit, my balls aching to the point of sheer anguish.
She pushed hard enough to break the kiss, gasping for air and licking her lips. “Let me go!”
“Never.”
“I don’t want you.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “You’re not a very good liar, Caroline.”
“Leave me… alone,” she whispered, slamming her fists against my chest.
“You can fight all you want, but you’ll never be able to get away from me.”
“Fuck you!”
Growling, I dropped my head, pushing her hair to the side and sucking on her sweet flesh. I pinched her clit, my heart racing the moment she whimpered. I already knew enough about her cravings, her body’s reactions. I shoved my finger into her pussy, jamming in hard and fast.
“No. Nonono.” She raked her nails down my face, gasping from her actions.
I bit down on her neck until her body jerked, her hand falling away.
“Dominick…” The single word was breathy, filled with her own level of desire.
Filthy, vile thoughts infused with whatever sense of decency I had left. Jerking back, I lifted her into the air, thrusting her down on the island. This wasn’t about discipline. This was all about sequestering the evil beast clawing at the surface. My way. Her dress was bunched at her waist and I simply shoved her panties aside as I pushed her legs up and out and lowered my head. I darted my tongue around her clit, taking my time to tease. To tempt.
“Oh, God…” Caroline tossed her head back and forth, her entire body shaking. “This can’t be happening. I don’t want you. I can’t. You’re horrible!”
“Trust me, this is happening and you’re right, but you will learn to succumb in every manner.”
“I don’t… Please.”
“Please what, Caroline? Please lick you? Please fuck you? You will learn to ask for exactly what you want, and I only will be able to provide what you need. You will learn the difference in true pleasure and absolute agony.”
The answer made her shudder, a light darting into her magnificent eyes.
I licked and sucked, dragging my tongue up and down the length of her sweet pussy. She was so wet, her juice covering my face. Her entire body was quivering, jumping as if shocked by electricity every time I touched her.
Then she kicked out, as if she expected to be able to get away. I smacked her pussy, shoving her down and pushing her knees against the island. “Don’t. Fight. Me.” This was nothing more than a test of wills. I leveled a heated gaze, softening only when she glanced away, finally acquiescing. But I heard her whispered words and in truth, they were more disturbing than I wanted to admit.
“I hate you.”