12

He sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “You’re too stubborn for your own good.”

“Maybe,” I admitted, stepping closer, my heart racing in anticipation. “But you like that about me, don’t you?”

His lip twitched, and for a moment, it looked like he might smile. But then his expression darkened, his gaze turning hard and unyielding. He yanked my head back sharply, forcing my eyes to meet his. The air between us seemed to crackle with unspoken promises.

“I’ve made a decision,” he growled, his voice rough with barely contained desire. “This argument is over. I’m going to deal with you like the bad girl you are.”

My pulse quickened at his words, the mix of fear and anticipation swirling inside me. My breath hitched, and my lips parted involuntarily, though no words came. His stare held me captive, his eyes burning into mine with a mix of dominance and something darker, something primal.

I swallowed hard, feeling a shiver of excitement run down my spine as his hand moved to the back of my neck, holding me in place. His touch was firm, almost possessive, and I couldn’t help but feel the weight of his control.

“You want to test me, don’t you?” he murmured, his breath warm against my skin.

I nodded without thinking, my body betraying me as much as my words did.

“You don’t know what you’re asking for,” he warned, his voice a low growl. “But that’s okay. You will.”

The air between us grew thick with tension, and the silence was heavy with the weight of his unspoken threat. I could feel the heat radiating from his body, and without meaning to, my gaze dropped to the bulge straining against the fabric of his jeans. It was impossible not to notice—impossible to ignore the effect he had on me. My breath caught in my throat, and for a moment, I wondered if I’d made a mistake in pushing him this far.

But there was no turning back now. I couldn’t seem to control my need for him, no matter how much I tried.

He seemed to sense my hesitation, his fingers tightening in my hair as he forced my chin up to meet his gaze again. The intensity of his stare was all-consuming, and I felt as though I were drowning in it.

“Get on your knees,” he commanded, his voice unwavering.

The words were simple, but they carried so much weight. I hesitated only for a moment before obeying, the decision made for me in the heat of the moment. I dropped to my knees, the cool floor pressing against my skin, but it was nothing compared to the storm brewing inside me. My breath was shallow, my body trembling with a mix of fear and excitement.

He reached down, and without a word, he unbuckled his belt with slow, deliberate movements. The sound of the leather sliding through the buckle echoed in the stillness of the room, each second stretching longer than the last. I could hardly breathe, my heart pounding in my chest as I watched his every move.

He pulled his jeans down, revealing more of him with each second, and my eyes widened. There was no mistaking it—he was massive. The sight of him made my breath hitch, and I had to force myself not to look away, though my mind screamed at me to stop.

He stepped closer, and my body instinctively recoiled, but he gripped my hair and held me in place.

“You wanted this, remember?” His voice was rough, as if he were trying to steady himself. But I could tell it was taking everything in him not to lose control completely.

I nodded, my throat dry, my pulse racing. The tension in the room was palpable, and I felt as though I might collapse under its weight.

“Good girl,” he muttered. “You’re going to learn exactly who’s in charge here.”

I swallowed hard, my lips tingling as his words echoed in my mind. Despite everything—despite the fear, despite the uncertainty—I could feel myself responding to him, my body betraying me in ways I didn’t fully understand.

His hand moved to my jaw, tilting my face upward as he studied me for a moment. There was something predatory in his gaze, something that made my skin prickle with both fear and desire. His thumb stroked my bottom lip, and I couldn’t help but kiss it involuntarily, the soft pressure making me shiver.

“Open your mouth,” he commanded again, the authority in his voice leaving no room for argument.

I hesitated, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. But there was no mistaking the way my body responded to him. Slowly, I parted my lips, and he didn’t hesitate. He slid his fingers into my mouth, forcing me to take them in, and the sensation was overwhelming.

“Good girl,” he whispered, watching me closely, his eyes flickering with something dangerous, something dark. “You’re going to do just fine.”

The room felt smaller now, the air thick with the sound of our ragged breathing and the almost electric charge between us. I could feel the weight of his gaze on me, and the control he had over me was undeniable. I was at his mercy, and for reasons I didn’t fully understand, I didn’t want to be anywhere else.

He pulled back for a moment, his hands moving to his own body with practiced efficiency, undoing the rest of his jeans and pushing them down. The sight of him was overwhelming, and I could hardly catch my breath.

I had no idea what came next, but I was completely unprepared for the intensity of it all.