My helpless response caused rage to surge alongside my panic. Before I knew what I was doing, my hand cracked across his face.
I instantly regretted it. Not only did my palm smart where it had connected with his sharp cheekbone, but his expression darkened further.
My animal brain kicked in my flight response, and I tried to scoot away from him.
I didn’t make it to my feet before he was on me. He easily caught my wrists as his body settled over mine. His weight pinned me down, his vastly superior strength keeping my hands trapped above my head.
My rage and fear left me on a defiant shriek, and I writhed beneath him. I felt his cock stiffen against my thigh, and my sex grew slick for him: an ingrained response.
I should’ve been terrified that he might violate me, but that thought never registered. Deep down, I knew Joseph would never hurt me. He wasn’t capable of it, no matter what kind of violent lifestyle he led. Even now, he held me carefully, restraining me firmly without causing me pain.
But I couldn’t stop fighting. He’d denied my instinct for flight, and fight was all I had left.
I turned my head and sank my teeth into his forearm. He cursed and jerked his arm away, but he didn’t back off. Keeping his hold on my wrists, his free hand settled over the front of my throat, his long fingers wrapping around my neck. He didn’t apply any pressure, but the act of dominance shocked me into silence. My screams stopped abruptly, and I went still beneath him.
He stared down at me, a dark satisfaction in his eyes that I’d seen before but never fully understood. He liked overpowering me. I’d thought it was a kinky game when we’d engaged in this kind of play.
But Joseph wasn’t playing. He was demonstrating his absolute power over me, showing me that there was no point in fighting him. He would always win, and he would enjoy subjugating me.
My lower lip quivered, and Joseph leaned in to press a gentle kiss against it.
“Don’t cry, angel,” he cooed. “I’ll keep you safe.”
His calloused fingertips stroked the column of my neck, lighting up my sensitive nerve endings. I bit back a moan as memories of ecstasy at his touch assailed me. My body was conditioned to respond to him. Or maybe I’d been this powerless against him from the very beginning.
I certainly felt powerless now: conquered and completely overwhelmed.
He brushed his soft lips over my cheeks, kissing away my tears.
His hand was still wrapped around my throat. He was still pinning my wrists above my head. And his cock was still hard against my hip.
“Are you finished with your little tantrum, then?” Marco’s drawl penetrated the intense connection between Joseph and me. I was almost grateful for his mocking words. At least they freed me from the power Joseph held over me.
Heat crept up my neck, and I turned my face away from Joseph’s kisses. Embarrassment burned my cheeks. Marco was watching us, observing us. His keen black eyes studied me, and I got the sense that he could read every nuance of my emotions.
“Please,” I begged Joseph. “Get off me.” I couldn’t bear his touch for one more second, especially not with Marco watching.
He didn’t comply right away.
“Are you going to continue acting like a brat?” Marco asked me. “If you’re ready to behave, Joseph can let you up.”
My cheeks flamed hotter. I didn’t want to agree to behave. It was tantamount to admitting that I’d been acting like a naughty child. I didn’t understand how Joseph could allow Marco to talk to me this way.
But Joseph wasn’t letting me up. He was waiting for my response. Again, I knew there was only one answer they would accept.
“Okay,” I managed on a whisper. “I’ll…” I couldn’t bring myself to say the words I’ll behave. “I won’t try to fight you.”
Marco’s hard lips twitched with amusement, stoking my embarrassment into indignation.
Still, when Joseph finally released me, I didn’t try to run. There was no point. Marco stood between me and the door, and Joseph had just proven how easily he could catch me and trap me.
With as much dignity as I could muster, I sat upright and smoothed my hands over my hair, straightening the places where it’d become mussed during my struggles. When I felt somewhat more collected, I took a breath and faced Marco head-on, spearing him with a defiant glare.
A wide, wicked grin spread out on his face, the first true smile I’d ever seen him wear.
It was even more intimidating than his cold stare, and I wouldn’t have thought that possible.
Chapter Fourteen
Ashlyn
“Here.” Marco handed me a notebook and a pen.
“What’s this for?” I still sat on the bed, but I’d scooted as far away from Joseph as I could manage. Marco remained standing, and that unnerved me even more than Joseph’s nearness.