98

[REBECCA]
I glided around the room, moving to the rhythm of the song as I folded Artemy’s clothes. I hummed along, my body light.
It had been two days since my nightmare. Artemy and I didn’t talk about it again. He never pushed for more or asked more questions. He was giving me the time I needed, and I was forever thankful for that.
I should be counting my days. I should tell the truth. But soon, I would.
I just wanted to live this moment for a little while longer before I left my life in the hands of fate.
Once I gave Artemy my truth, he would be the judge, jury, and the executioner. I would have no choice but to accept his decision, even if it meant my death.
I just wanted to bask in this happiness for a little while longer. Maybe I was a horrible person for that.
I didn’t know…but I didn’t care, either. I just wanted to continue being happy.
After folding the last of Artemy’s clothes, I quickly tied my hair in a ponytail. Smiling, I thought about Artemy pulling it down again.
It had been two days. Artemy’s punishment was over. He would be coming for me soon. Anticipation and desire licked its way through my body, and I quivered, pressing my thighs together.
I was about to step away from the bed when I noticed my book on the floor. Shaking my head, I bent down, my fingers grasping the book.
I went to stand up. My back was almost straightened, but I never got a chance.
A hard body wrapped around me. I let out a scream, and a hand covered my mouth, muffling me. I struggled as tears stung my eyes, but the strong body kept me in place.
Fear slithered its way into my body, and my mind started to race, my heart pounding. I was pushed forward, and I fell onto the bed, my eyes closing on the impact.
My body was flipped around so that I was on my back, and the body settled over mine. I squeezed my eyes shut, refusing to look at the man.
What if the devil had found me?
My thoughts ran wild. The man settled on top of my body, and I froze, fearing what would come next. Taking a shuddering breath, I willed myself to relax and think. My mind refused to cooperate. All I could think about was Raffaele’s sinister laughs.
A second passed and then another. He didn’t move, and neither did I. As the seconds ticked, the fear that was suffocating me slowly started to slither its way out. Even through my messed-up thoughts and alarm, it felt like I knew the person.
The way his body pressed into mine, every inch of it, I knew it. I had spent nights exploring it, feeling it. His scent wrapped around me, and I felt my muscles start to loosen.
My body knew him, and it reacted accordingly.
I knew him. And he wasn’t the devil.
My hands instinctively went to his shoulders, and I held on almost desperately. My eyes snapped open to meet bluish-steel colored ones. I stared into his molten eyes. They were hard but filled with so much desire and lust.
Another second ticked, and my body melted under his, the fear evaporating, my muscles unlocking as I gave him control.
And then he smirked, looking so sinfully handsome and devilishly sexy.
“Artemy,” I snapped, my fingers digging into his shoulders in warning. “You scared me!”
He hummed, his eyes growing more heated if possible. Artemy leaned down until his face was in my neck, his body pressing mine into the bed. He ran his nose along the length of my neck, placing small kisses as he went.
“You’ve been a very bad kitten,” he muttered, his voice husky and deeper. Oh God. “Flirting with my men.”
Oh, that! I squeezed my eyes shut in realization. I was in deep trouble. In my attempt to tease Artemy, I played a minx. Lynda was right. I had been playing with fire.
Artemy placed another kiss, and then he gently bit down in warning. “Trying to get me jealous. Such a bad kitten.”
He kissed along my collarbone and then up again, leaving wet trails from his kisses, licking, sucking, and nibbling on the skin until I was putty in his arms. “Oh,” I moaned unashamedly.
His teeth grazed on the sensitive skin just above my collarbone, and my back arched off the bed as I pressed against him. I felt his hard length between my legs, and he groaned.
“Artemy,” I breathed. The fear was now replaced by desire and anticipation. No longer was I scared. All I needed was him.
He pulled back slightly to look down at me. “I’m hanging on a thin thread right now, Rebecca. I won’t be gentle.”
Artemy leaned down again until his lips were next to my ear, his next words causing me to tremble in excitement. “I’m going to fuck you. This is going to be hard and fast.”
I tried to squeeze my legs together when I felt a tingle between them from his words, mixed with the roughness in his voice. But Artemy’s hips settled in between them, stopping my movement.
Through hazy and lustful eyes, Artemy stared at me. “Tell me if it gets too much, because I am about to push your limits.” His voice held a warning, but also desperation, almost as if he couldn’t hold himself in check any longer.
I could only nod, my body hyper-aware of his every movement. As soon as he saw my nod, I didn’t have a chance to blink or think before he pulled away abruptly. Then I heard a rip sound, echoing loud in the silent room.
My eyes widened, and I looked down at myself to see the top of my dress ripped. And then Artemy was on me again, not giving me a chance to react. His lips slammed into mine, kissing me possessively. My mind and body spun out of control from his bruising kiss.
It was clear his control had snapped.
Instead of being scared, all I felt was pleasure. I surrendered myself to him, trusting him to give me the pleasure I needed-we both needed.
His lips never left mine, even as he shifted slightly to pull my dress down. I struggled to help him, both of us refusing to break the kiss. When my dress was finally down to my waist, his hands came back up, and he pulled my bra cups down.
I moaned into his lips when his fingers found my nipples. They strained into perfect buds toward him, begging for his touch and attention. His tongue slid into my mouth, and the kiss deepened, his mouth devouring mine, tasting and nipping at my lips.
His fingers stroked over my nipples, and I trembled in his embrace, pushing into his touch, wanting more. And he gave me more.
His lips left mine, but they didn’t leave my skin. Artemy trailed kisses down my neck until he reached my nipples. I was already wet and dripping between my legs. I ached, wanting to be filled. Artemy swirled his tongue over the tip, my back arching for more. “Uhh…”
“You like that?” he teased.
I didn’t answer. But he gave me what I wanted. He licked, sucked, and played with my nipples, leaving me both hot and cold at the same time. My skin tingled, yet I felt strangely empty.
My fingers wrapped into his hair, pushing him into me, begging him for more without words. His lips left my skin, and I moaned in regret. “No.”