Chapter 8. Our Twisted Desires

>>Ryker's POV >>

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"Touché."

It's not every day you get to hear such an 'ambiguous' confession from a lady. Especially not from someone like Vanessa, who seems wired to frustrate me at every turn.

If she’s not arguing, she’s storming off. If she’s not storming off, she’s planning a fresh insult.

And honestly? I live for it.

"Better to be a prick than an ass," I muttered.

She folded her arms across that ridiculous oversized blazer, the same blazer I’d love to help her out of. "You're still an asshole."

"You've probably thought worse before." I shrugged, a thrill running through my veins as I watched her shift expressions, just enough to entertain me.

I've seen it all before. Her anger, confusion, and vulnerability.

She was fierce and guarded, yet so damn unguarded when she wasn’t paying attention. Cute, if maddening.

"I hate you." She spun, yanking her luggage towards the house.

"I want to see the contract." She grumbled over her shoulder.

Now, that's a good girl.

I followed behind her, controlling the triumph inside me. She glanced back and I grinned at her, which only earned me an eye roll.

We arrived back at the house and Vanessa dropped onto the living room couch like the drama queen she is, letting out a deep breath. Her posture screamed exhaustion and the bruises on her neck were really provocative, making my jaw clench.

Derek had a hell of a nerve. And she had a hell of a way of looking Infuriatingly desirable, even with those scars, giving her a dangerous appeal.

"You know how to make things difficult, Little Lamb." I said, quietly.

"Stop that.” She pulled her arms tighter. ” My name is Vanessa.”

I settled into the chair across from her and reached for the contract folder on the table. "I'll stop when you ask nicely."

"Or I could just change my mind" Her eyes narrowed.

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on both knees. "You won't."

She opened her mouth to snap back, and then, she paused. I could almost hear the thoughts bouncing around in that complicated head of hers. I shouldn’t enjoy seeing her flustered,but I did.

And before I could stop myself, my mind slipped to places it shouldn’t — to how she’d look tangled in my sheets, saying my name instead of his.

Heat rose in my chest and crashed low on my groin, leaving me hard and aching.

Jesus.

"I will. And…”

"Hush." My voice dropped low and she blinked. "We've barely started, Lamb, so close that beautiful mouth before I put it to work."

Her breathe hitched.

Just like that, I felt the air shift from banter to tension. She tried to stand her ground but I saw the cracks. Not fear, but something else. Something that looked like curiosity and maybe even want.

"Or else..??" She whispered.

She was quite brave and it was a dangerous turn-on.

I crossed the room, stalking towards her like a predator. "Or else, I'll spread you across that table right there..." Her lips parted in shock. Good. "and make you forget every other man’s name before I even unzip."

She froze, probably shocked too. But she didn’t cower like I’d expected, because her defiance soon returned like a switch.

"I might as well dance naked around a fire and sing Kumbaya." She snapped.

"Now, that would be such a sight."

"Pervert."

"Guilty.” I grinned, slow and deliberate. “But you’ve got all this fire, Vanessa. All that rage and passion, it could be put to a better use. " I stepped closer, "Let me show you how. Let me introduce you to a new hobby to obsess over."

"I don't need lessons from you. "

Still fighting. Good. Her defiance just makes this even more exciting.

It makes me want her even more. The need to possess her, to explore every inch of her body and soul, to corrupt her with pleasures beyond her wildest imagination, exposing her to the recesses of my twisted desires, was undeniable.

The thrill of touching what once belonged to Derek, made my groin throb in anticipation. Her resistance, it was like a breath of fresh air. She was the first woman who didn’t break easily.

Her voice faltered in uncertainty. "Also, you’re Derek’s brother. You can't... we shouldn't."

"Who says we shouldn’t?" I said, stepping closer. “Who made that rule?”

I reached for her gently, holding her hips firmly. Her body tensed but she didn’t pull away nor did she tell me to stop.

"Morality doesn’t interest me when I desire something, Vanessa." My voice turned husky. "Desire does. I always get what I want, and right now, that's you."

I've never felt this kind of attraction towards a lady before and whatever this is, I won't let it stop.

"You want this too.." I said softly, trailing a finger down her arms, barely touching her skin. “Even if you don’t want to admit it yet.”

"What's....this?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"It's wild, primal, reckless, and untamed.” I gripped her chin, our eyes locked. “It’s me and you burning the rule book and devouring each other till we're spent. To take and keep taking until there's nothing left."

She was less provocative now and more docile, just like a lamb. My innocent tainted lamb.

She let out a shaky breath, slow and unsteady. “You don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”

A loose smile dangled across my face. "You don’t say, but believe me when I say there's nothing I want more than to tie you up on my bed and bury my cock so deep inside of you that you'll feel me in your soul."

She breathed my name, her shaky whisper betraying her vulnerable state. "Ryker..."

"No rush, my dear." My lips brushed her ear. "I plan to take my time with you, Vanessa. Slowly breaking you down, piece by piece until you forget the taste of anyone else and beg to be owned."

Her lips parted, searching for the right words. “If I say stop?”

“Then I’ll stop.” I said, without flinching. And I meant it.

"You're too intense." The struggle to maintain composure was evident on her face.

I should’ve stopped. I should have walked away. But morality was for men with fewer scars than me and less reason to hate my brother.

Either way, I stepped away from her, tapping on the file containing the contract, "You bet." I purred, my eyes fixed on her. "Let’s make this official, little lamb. Sign them."