She huffed and turned further away. "You don't understand."
I eased the painting onto the floor. "Then explain it to me." My heart raced, every cell in my body on fire. "Please. I need to hear why." I could see just how exasperated she was, fighting with the woman who craved in the same manner that I did.
All consuming.
There was nothing right about this, a relationship that was forced. Forbidden. But I wanted more than anything to take a chance. I might burn in hell for eternity, but I yearned for her more than ever.
"I don't understand why I'm so drawn to you. I can't stand the fact I ache for your touch, your kiss. I'm terrified every time that you walk out that door that I'll never see you again, that I'll hear about some horrible bloody shooting or a terrible explosion. That's not a way to live, Dominick. Don't you get that?" Her defiance abated, her shoulders slumped, and she held her face in her hands.
Moving closer until I was only a few inches away, I wanted nothing more than to ease her pain, take away every fear, sheltering her from the horrible deeds. I didn't know how to be that man.
Sensitive.
Caring.
God help me, I longed to try. I slid my arms around her, tugging her back against my chest and cupping her face. She was so warm to the touch, my fingers on fire the instant I laid hands on her. I stroked her skin, my balls tightening to the point stars floated in front of my eyes.
"Don't. I won't care about you. I can't. Never. I..." Shuddering, she leaned her head against me, closing her eyes.
"Shh..." Kissing her forehead erased all the rage, releasing the pent-up beast that had been my nemesis, a noose around my neck. The simplicity of our connection was brilliant, wild and suddenly I was enshrouded in the kind of passion I'd long since desired, but I couldn't be fooled by my body's reactions. I was still a dangerous man, capable of doing appalling things. I would hurt her.
Physically.
Mentally.
Emotionally.
I could scar her for life, stripping her of that spark that drew me to her in the first place, but I couldn't stop. There was nothing that would prevent me from ravaging her over and over again until we were both drenched in our own spoils of passion.
I slid my other hand into the opening of the shirt, caressing her breast. The feel of her hardened nipple was exhilarating, another round of shockwaves sweeping through every muscle and straight into my throbbing cock. I pinched her nipple, sucking in my breath the moment she whimpered. I wanted her bared and punished, her body marked.
My God, she'd unraveled me completely and utterly, dragging me into a primal state.
She arched her back, her sumptuous lips pursed, beckoning for me as if ready to be devoured. Growling, I leaned over, capturing her mouth, tasting the sweet essence that she'd offered. I twisted her nipple as the kiss became a wild roar of combined needs, the electricity shared between us off the charts.
Our tongues mashed together, moving back and forth in a choreographed dance. Heat and flames. Desire and need. The taste of her was like none other, quenching my raging thirst.
She ran her hands up the length of my arms, clinging to me, soft moans turning into purrs. The scent of her cream filtered into my nostrils, further fueling the fire. I broke the kiss for fear of devouring her. Right here. Right now.
And I wanted so much more.
I spun her around, yanking both edges of the shirt, popping free every button.
Her face lit up, her eyes half closed as she took a decided step away from my grasp, yanking the clip from her hair. The exaggerated motion as she tossed her head from side to side was so damn seductive. Every action meant to tease and tempt, she took her time as she eased first one side of the material down her shoulder then the other. There were no panties, no bra of any kind, just the woman who'd waited, hoping I'd return.
Even in the harsh lighting of the studio, her skin glowed, almost translucent. She gasped from the force as her fingers ripped at my shirt, pulling until she was able to slide her hands under, palming my heated skin. She peppered my chest with open-mouthed kisses, darting her tongue in swirls and zigzags.
I'd lost all control, with her and with my life. I didn't care. All that mattered was here and now, with the woman I needed, the only person who could soothe the savagery.
With the woman I adored more than anything.
That I craved...
That I loved.
God help me.
God help the assholes who ever attempted to get in the way. Caroline
Unleashed. The beast had come crashing out of his cage, hungry to feed.
I'd broken through some barrier, digging my way into the corner of his very soul. He was unlike the man who'd left, revved with an aggressive passion, a dark rapture that I had no doubt would consume me. There was no turning back, no jerking our collective chain. I'd given myself to him now, and possibly forever. For right or wrong.
Good or evil.
The dangerous criminal had finally captured the self-proclaimed good girl.
I'd tossed away everything I thought I knew about myself, embracing the darkness. And why? Because he was enigmatic. He was a portion of my very soul, healing the sadness that had been in my heart for the majority of my life. He'd managed to carve a place in my mind refusing to be denied.
I'd been petrified after hearing about the bomb, unable to think or breathe, completely lost in a fog. There were no words to describe the terror, wrapping bony fingers around my throat. I'd known at that very moment I was lost without him. Then I'd seen the face of my father, so conceited in his happiness, nothing able to destroy his perfect scenario, a life without any strings. The fervent second he locked eyes with mine, for that split second, I knew there was more to the deal with the devil.
There'd been that moment of blinding rage, the kind that would have allowed me to do terrible things, no matter those consequences that Dominick reminded me existed. Another telling moment. I had to be free of the past and the only way that I could was to accept my fate.
My life with Dominick.
And so I'd painted, creating picture after picture of what I hoped would be my world. Maybe they were just glass houses, fake in every aspect and easily shattered, but I would fight for what I deserved to have.