Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Sable

I headed to the lake, but when I got there, nobody was around. It was empty. Why did I even come here in the first place?

But then again, it wasn’t me who came here. It was my heart. And sometimes there’s no way to fight against your own heart.

As I turned, I heard the sound of water, like someone was emerging from deep within.

When I spun back, I saw Brant swimming toward me. He rose from the water, step by step, until he stood in front of me. Water glistened down his body, tracing the ridges of his chest and abs, sliding over the ink of his tattoos. His muscles flexed with every movement, his skin slick and glowing under the sunlight. He looked so hot I was already turned on—fucking wet just watching him.

He swiped his wet hair back from his forehead, his gorgeous hazel eyes locking on mine.

We stared at each other, my heart pounding wildly in my chest.

Then, without warning, he grabbed me and threw me over his shoulder.

“What the hell, Brant!” I squealed, thrashing against him.

He carried me straight into the lake.

“Take me back, Brant! What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I yelled, pounding my fists against his back. It was like hitting solid rock—he didn’t even flinch. He felt nothing.

Suddenly, he stopped.

He tried lowering me into the water, but I clung to him desperately. Panic surged through me. He knew my fear. He knew what water meant to me.

“No!” I cried, holding tighter, as he tried to set me down again.

Brant’s hand came down hard on my ass.

I gasped, shocked, but instead of anger or embarrassment, heat exploded through me. My pussy throbbed, blood rushed to my skin.

My ass burned, no doubt turning ruby red, as he smacked me again, firmer this time, trying once more to lower me into the water. Pleasure mixed with the sting until I was trembling.

And Fuck, I wanted it. I craved what he was doing to me, because the pain was pleasure, and the pleasure was an unbearable need. My body begged for him even as I fought against it. Every nerve was alive, my pulse racing, my body screaming yes while my mind whispered no.

Finally, he forced me down. The water only reached my waist, but the sting in my ass lingered, burning, a sharp reminder of what he had just done—of the twisted edge of pleasure and pain only he could give me. I clung to him, arms wrapped around him and head on his chest, my heart hammering. No doubt he could hear it, my fear tangled with desire, unable to let go.

Slowly, finally, I released him and started walking toward the shore.

“Why are you afraid?” he asked.

I froze. “What?”

“Why are you afraid of the water,” he said, stepping closer, “the same way you’re afraid of giving me your heart?”

I turned to face him, my chest heaving, my bruised heart rolling painfully inside my ribs. “Because just like the water can swallow you whole… you can do even more. You’re even more dangerous than the water, Brant Paxton.”

As I looked around the lake, I remembered what Lucas had said about this place, about Jessica.

“I’m not as dangerous as you think I am,” Brant said, his voice rough and low. “I have fucking feelings too. And I’ve got some motherfucking feelings for you, Sable. Let me take care of you.” He was standing right in front of me now, his eyes locked on mine. “I’ll take care of you like no motherfucker ever could. Not even my brother.”

I stared at him, my chest tight as he moved closer, his arm wrapping around me. His breath was hot against my cheek as his words slid through me like fire.

“Tell me, Sable. Does my brother make you feel the way I do? Does he make you wet the way I do right fucking now?” His fingers traced my thigh, sliding over my soaked denim, teasing higher. His voice was low, demanding yet gentle, and fuck—it was so intoxicating I couldn’t hold back the soft moan that slipped out when his touch brushed my wet bare skin above my waist.

I closed my eyes, my arousal spiking so fast I could barely breathe. My whole body felt tight, trembling, craving more.

His face came closer, his hot breath ghosting over my lips. With my eyes closed, it was even sexier, the tension unbearable, then his mouth crashed against mine.

The kiss stole the air from my lungs. I gasped as his lips pressed to mine, desperate and hungry. My hands shot out, gripping his bulging biceps, clinging to him, needing to hold onto something solid as the world spun, as his tongue teased along my lips, demanding entry.

The way his tongue slid across my lips, coaxing me open, made my heart slam wildly in my chest. I opened for him helplessly, and the second his mouth claimed mine, he owned me completely.

Damn it. This was what I wanted. Exactly what I fucking wanted. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t want him like this. Not when he was kissing me like he planned to ruin me. His teeth tugged at my bottom lip, sending a sharp ache straight between my legs, and I was already dripping, already gone.

I broke away, both of us panting hard.

“I can’t do this,” I whispered.

“Sable…” The way he said my name, low and husky like he owned it, was sexy as hell. Damn him.

“Then tell me this,” I demanded, breathless. “What does Lucas mean about this lake… about you and Jessica?”

“It’s nothing,” he said, jaw tight. “He’s just trying to cause a rift between us.”

“Then tell me if it’s nothing.”

“I can’t.” His voice was gravel, rough and strained.

I turned and started walking out of the water, determined to leave, making it all the way to the shore. I made it, but what I didn’t realize was that he had followed me.

He grabbed my hand and yanked me back around. His fist tangled in the back of my hair, pulling just enough to make me gasp. My eyes widened as he pulled me close, our faces inches apart, our lips almost brushing.

“I’m going to make you mine, Sable,” he growled. “I’ll make you feel like no other man ever has. I’ll wipe out every trace of any motherfucker who ever touched you, because the only man who’s going to claim you is me. I swear it. I’m going to fuck you like no one ever has, and that’s a fucking promise. Because you are mine, Sable Knox.”