I tore my lips from Joseph’s on a horrified gasp, my surge of panic intense enough to give me strength to break away.
“Oh my god,” I half-moaned. “I scratched your fancy car.”
I tried to sit up, struggling in earnest. I couldn’t remain on this hood for one more heartbeat in case the thundering against my ribs somehow caused the metal clasp to slip again.
Joseph’s sensual lips tugged down in a forbidding frown. Keeping my wrists pinned with one hand, his other settled on my throat. His thumb hooked beneath my jaw to hold my face captive, so I had no choice but to stare up into his stunning eyes. The raw, wild hunger that flared in their pale blue depths drew a shudder from my chest.
Another tiny scratch beneath my shoulder caused my entire body to lock up, and my teeth clenched almost hard enough to crack. “I’m so sorry.” I didn’t dare release more than a whispered apology.
His dark lashes narrowed. “You think I give a fuck about the paint job?” he demanded, his voice soft and silky smooth. It was somehow more intimidating than if he’d snarled at me. “I want to leave marks of what I’m going to do to you. I want a permanent reminder of how I’m going to fuck you over the hood of this car until you scream my name. And if you keep trying to deny me, I’ll force you to come so many times that you’ll weep and beg before I finally show mercy.”
My core throbbed with a painful ache as relentless desire pulsed through me in response to his sensual threat. The wave of lust was so intense that my thighs shook around his hips. His hard length jerked, and he bit out a curse.
A whimper slipped up my throat as the tiny metal clasps on my camisole marred the paint a third time. No matter how hot Joseph’s dirty words made me, I couldn’t shake the spike of guilt at every scratch. He’d wanted this car since he was sixteen years old. There were only sixty-nine ZL1s like it in existence.
My teeth sank into my lower lip. Joseph was almost feral with desire right now, but what about later? Once this lust-drunk fever passed, he might regret the damage.
His dark brows drew together in a forbidding slash. “Stop worrying, angel. I want to leave these marks. I got this baby for just under a million at auction, but it’ll be infinitely more valuable to me after I finish with you today.”
“A million dollars?!” I squeaked, starting to freak out.
This was too much. It was insane to even contemplate devaluing the rare car further, no matter what Joseph said. There was no way he wouldn’t regret this later.
He cocked his head at me, his burning gaze tracing the taut, anxious lines of my drawn features. After several breathless seconds, he gave me a tight nod.
“You just need to get in the right headspace,” he declared, decisive. “I can fix that.”
Cold air slapped my skin when he suddenly stood, separating our heated bodies. I stared at him for a moment, stunned at his capitulation. I’d expected my unyielding lover to forcibly seduce me, not back off.
I hastily pushed off the hood before he could change his mind, shivering at the coolness that kissed my burning flesh.
Joseph immediately wrapped a corded arm around me, rubbing his calloused hand over my pebbled skin. I leaned into him, addicted to his warmth and strength.
“We’re going for a little joyride,” he informed me, ushering me to the passenger seat. “Once we get your adrenaline pumping, you’ll be too giddy to worry about anything other than pleasing me.”
The velvety words enfolded me: a promise and a warning. Joseph had been demanding in bed before, and our sexual relationship had become more deviant since he’d brought me to the estate. But something darker had settled over him, something that made me tremble even as it tempted me.
When he directed me to slide into the white leather seat, his hands lingered around my body. He drew the seatbelt over my chest and around my waist. Once I was securely buckled in place, he fisted the belt at my shoulder and side, pulling the straps tight. My head dropped back on a moan at the feel of the firm restraints; both thrilling and perversely comforting. Wordlessly, Joseph reminded me that he was still fully in control of my body, even if he had paused his wickedest intentions for me.
His crystalline eyes sparkled, mesmerizing me. His entrancing stare glowed with something between awe and fierce possessiveness, and my breath stuttered as his power completely overwhelmed me.
When I was practically quivering, he finally pulled away with a satisfied smirk. He shut my door before prowling around the car, all predatory grace as he crossed to the wall where dozens of keys hung in neat rows. He snagged the ones he needed and returned, pressing a button on the keyring as he slid into the driver’s seat.