What? No way she was attracted to this creep. No effing way.
Was she?
She shivered and mustered her last bit of outrage. “Thanks to your disgusting teeth, I’m sick as a dog. The others are too.”
“Dogs have nothing to do with this,” he growled. His eyes had dropped to her throat. He reached out to run a finger over the soft skin, tracing the bruises Troy had left when he’d grabbed her.
The eyes flared, and his lips peeled back from his teeth. “Did Troy do this?”
“He’s as big a bastard as you.”
He rumbled a low growl. “He is not to lay a hand on you. I guess I didn’t make myself clear.”
The touch was sending little pulses through her. Jessie forced herself to pull back.
“Well, I don’t want you touching me either.”
Braden’s eyes ignited, and he grabbed her by the throat.
She yanked back, her fingers sinking into his arm, but his grip was like iron. So strong. Anddominant.
It triggered something deep. Her legs gave way, letting her dangle from his grip.Submit.The deep voice chanted in her head.Yes,her brain whispered back.Submit.You belong to him.Images swept through her. Of them locked together, her fingernails penetrating the powerful muscles of his shoulders, throwing her head back as he thrust into her.
Jessie gasped. All she had to do was let go. Let him do whatever he wanted. No. Not tolet. Toinvite.
His eyes ignited as her hands fell away and her struggles ceased. Her legs trembled so badly his arm was all that held her upright. He took a deep breath and loosened the hand at her throat. She fell back against the wall, bracing herself with her hands.
Braden’s long fingers caressed her sensitive skin. And his free hand moved to her breast, to tease it through the fabric with one fingertip.
Electric. Tingles shot through her entire body and pooled in her core. Her knees buckled.
His half grin broadened. “You wantme,” he growled.
Want him?No way in hell.But the indignant words never left her lips. His eyes gleamed at her as the fingers at her throat stroked the thin skin, the thumb tracing little teasing circles against her jaw. The gold eyes bored into hers as the other fingertip increased its attentions, sending ripples through her.
Dammit.She had to get a grip. “You bastard,” she hissed. But it came out as a whisper.
“I’ve been called worse.” His voice was a deep rumble that vibrated right through her.
She wanted him to let go. To stop. Didn’t she? But while her brain shrieked in denial, her body wanted him. So badly... Had she been drugged? No way she wanted this.
Braden’s fingers continued their dance, and she gasped as her legs opened, hips leaning toward him. Wanting. Needing. Her heart leaped when he leaned close, his teasing fingers sending another wave of desire sweeping through her.
He inhaled again. His gleaming eyes narrowed, and his grin widened.
“Knew I liked you,” he grated.
“The feeling isn’t mutual.” Jessie could barely breathe, let alone talk, but it was her only remaining hold on sanity. “Why are you doing this?”
“You and I have a date with destiny,” he rumbled. His voice had grown increasingly hoarse.
“I want nothing to do with you!”
“Oh, really?” The gold eyes flashed. He slid his hand away from her throat and around her shoulders, lifting her away from the wall. As she swayed, momentarily off balance, his other fingers teased and tweaked.
Her head fell back, and she moaned, before gritting her teeth against the onslaught of lust that shot through her. She could twist away. He wasn’t holding her that tight. But neither her will, nor her body were hers to command. So she just hung there, supported by his arm behind her shoulders.
“You are part of some sick cult,” she breathed.
