CH.8

Adrian walked me backward until my spine hit the wall.

His hands were everywhere… in my hair, on my throat, sliding down my sides to grip my hips.

When his thigh pressed between my legs, I moaned into his mouth.

Adrian swallowed the sound, sliding his tongue over mine, claiming every gasp and whimper.

His thigh pressed harder, and I couldn't stop myself from grinding down on it, seeking friction, seeking relief.

"That's it," he murmured into my mouth. "Show me what you need."

His hands moved to my blouse, unbuttoning it with deliberate slowness. Then he pushed the fabric aside, exposing the bruises on my ribs, the marks my father had left.

Adrian’s jaw tightened. Pure rage flickered across his face. Then his hands were on my skin, sliding up my ribs, brushing the undersides of my breasts through the thin lace of my bra.

I whimpered, my head falling back.

"Look at me!" Adrian growled.

I forced my eyes open. His gaze was dark.

"Never again." The words were a vow, dark and absolute. "Say it."

"He'll never touch me again."

"Because?"

My voice was barely a whisper. "Because I'm yours."

"Good girl," Adrian praised.

With that, his hand slid higher, cupping my breasts and brushing his thumb over my nipples through the lace.

The sensation shot straight through me, and my hips jerked forward, grinding harder on his thigh.

"Adrian—please—"

"Please what?" His mouth found my throat and scraped his teeth over my pulse. "Tell me what you want."

I couldn't form words. My entire body was trembling, aching, desperate.

His hands moved to the clasp of my bra, and I felt it give way. The lace fell loose, and then his hands were on my bare skin, palms hot and possessive.

"Beautiful," Adrian murmured, circling his thumbs on my nipples. "So fucking responsive." He pinched lightly, and I cried out, digging my nails into his shoulders.

“Fuck!” A groan tore from his throat at my violent response.

His mouth moved lower, trailing hot kisses down my throat, across my collarbone.

When his lips finally closed around my nipple, I nearly came apart.

The sensation was overwhelming.

Adrian’s mouth was hot and wet. His tongue circled and teeth grazed just enough to make me gasp while his other hand kneaded my other breast, thumb and forefinger rolling my nipple.

My hips were moving on their own now, grinding desperately on his thigh, chasing the pressure building inside me.

"That's it," Adrian murmured between my breasts.

"Take what you need." His hands moved to my hips, gripping hard, helping me grind down harder on his thigh.

The friction was maddening. It wasn’t enough, but somehow too much.

"Adrian…” I moaned, my eyes rolling back.

His hand slid between us, finding the hem of my skirt. He pushed the fabric up my thighs, and then his hand was cupping me through my panties.

I gasped, my entire body going rigid.

"Soaked," Adrian murmured, stroking over the damp fabric with his thumb. "You're dripping for me, and I've barely touched you." He chuckled darkly, pressing harder and finding my clit through the thin barrier.

My hips bucked into his hand with a sultry moan.

"Not yet." Adrian suddenly pulled his hand away, and I whimpered at the loss.

He brought his fingers to his mouth, licking them clean while maintaining eye contact.

"Delicious!" Came his low, deep rumble.

My knees nearly gave out.

He caught me, his hands moving to my waist to steady me. Then he was buttoning my blouse back up with maddening care, adjusting my bra, and smoothing down my skirt. Every touch was torture.

My body was screaming for release, and he was putting me back together like nothing had happened.

"The apartment. The job. Say yes," he urged.

I couldn't think. Couldn't breathe. My entire body was trembling, aching, desperate for him to finish what he'd started.

"Say it!!"

"Yes." The word fell from my lips, broken and needy.

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, Adrian."

His smile was pure dark satisfaction.

"Good girl." He leaned in until his lips brushed my ear. "When you're ready, when you've earned it, I'll finish what I started. I'll make you come so hard you forget your own name."

A shudder ran through me.

"First…" He stepped back, leaving me trembling and aching. "You're going to prove you can obey me." He picked up the key card and pressed it into my palm. "We're leaving. To get your things!"

Reality crashed back in. "Today?"

"Now." He raised an eyebrow.

"He'll be furious."

"I know." Adrian's hand cupped my jaw and brushed his thumb across my swollen lips. "That's why I'm coming with you."

The thought of Adrian standing between me and my father's rage should have terrified me. Instead, I felt something else entirely. Relief. And a dark, shameful thrill.

"Okay," I whispered.

His eyes darkened with approval. "Finish your coffee. We leave in twenty minutes."

Then he walked away, leaving me trembling in the kitchen, my body still aching and desperate, my mind screaming that I'd just made a deal with the devil.

But the worst part was that I didn't want to take it back.

I wanted more!