As I followed Sierra, she finally sensed my presence, turning around to face me as she continued to walk backwards. The smile on her face was unexpected, as if she’d enjoyed the confrontation as much as I had. There was a coyness about her that was more beguiling than I originally thought, her ability to adapt a true treasure.
But it was the look in her eyes as she allowed her gaze to fall, shaking her head as she pointed to my shoes. I laughed softly, enjoying the quiet moment. I’d had such a few in my life. Even my mother had commented that I needed to settle down and find someone to balance out my life. As usual, I’d waved it off, refusing to take her advice, but perhaps she had been right. Was it possible that I could find happiness in the world in which I lived? More important, could I keep Sierra safe when she’d be the single weakness that could bring me to my knees?
It wasn’t a question I took lightly. Six months was possible, but the rest of my life, a family involved? I wasn’t certain I could run the risk. The last thing I wanted was to cause her harm.
I yanked off my shoes and at that point, she’d run toward the water’s edge and stuck her feet in. It was more difficult than ever to maintain my control, the need for her increasing every hour. Hell, every minute. As I sauntered closer, I thought about all the filthy things I wanted to do to her.
But it wasn’t just about kissing her soft lips, fucking her until she was sore but sated. What I longed for was to find a partner, someone who embraced the darkness and was able to provide the light she’d already managed to do.
As she twirled in the afternoon sun, laughing like a kid from the enjoyment of being near the ocean, I stopped short and allowed myself to watch her every move.
That was the moment I realized I was falling in love with her. It was a ridiculous reaction, at least to a part of my brain, but it was reality. Fuck. What the hell was I supposed to do now?
“What took you so long?” she yelled as I moved closer. The way she continuously brushed her hair from her eyes was enchanting. I wanted to devour her right here. Right now.
“I was watching my kitten in her glory.”
“Glory? You mean from shocking the agents? What if they ask for a hard copy of our sexual escapades?”
“Then I guess we’ll have to give them one.”
“Mmm… I like the sound of that.”
I approached, taking long strides. She continued to back away, teasing me as she loved to do. “You do, huh?”
“I can only imagine what you’d do to me. Would you tie me up? Shackle me to your bed? Would you spank me like a bad little girl?”
It was impossible to keep from grinning while being around her. “Speaking of spankings. You disobeyed my orders.”
“I did?” She acted surprised, although I could tell she was faking it. “What did I do?”
“You didn’t stay in the house.”
“But I might have kept you from going to jail. Doesn’t that count?”
I slowed down, rubbing my jaw on purpose. “Not in the least.” As I took off running after her, for the first time in as long as I could remember, I felt lighthearted, no longer burdened by the details of running the business or surrendering to the ugliness of the decisions I had to make. There was blood on my hands, but when I was with her, all the evils I’d done seemed to fade away.
She yelped when she noticed what I was doing, and then took off running down the beach toward the bank of trees. I caught her just a few feet before she managed to dart into the forest and pulled her back by several feet. As she usually did, she struggled in my hold, pummeling her fists against me, but there was no conviction in her actions, just a level of playfulness I hadn’t seen before.
When she managed to yank my arm, we both toppled over into the wet sand, her laugh continuing.
“You’re such a bad man,” she purred, still wriggling underneath me.
“I think that attracts you. In fact, I know you crave the darkness.” I straddled her, pushing up from the sand, peering into her eyes.
She stopped moving, taking several shallow breaths. Then she pushed her palms against me for a few seconds before wrapping her fingers around my shirt, pulling me down to her. “Yes, I do.” When she eased her leg around mine, water rolled underneath our heated bodies, causing her to laugh.
As she lifted her head, she darted her eyes back and forth across me. “You aren’t good for me.”
“Definitely not.”
“But I’m not certain I can break free of your hold.”
“Good, because I’m not going to allow you to get away.” I crushed my mouth over hers, immediately thrusting my tongue inside.
She rolled her arm around my neck, tangling her fingers in my hair. Within seconds, the kiss was explosive, our tongues entwining, my cock aching to be inside of her. I couldn’t seem to get enough, my body aching from desire. She had no idea what she did to me or the insane level of control she’d managed to gain in a short period of time. The woman was a true powerhouse of her own, driving me to the point of madness.
My hunger knew no bounds and I would fuck her, spending hours examining every inch of her body, but not here. Tonight, I would take her like a lover, not like a beast.