Page 77 of Captive Ruin

Ican’t resist her.

Not like this. Not when she’s naked, pinned down, and aroused.

Hell, I can’t resist her when she’s dressed and calling me names.

She turns her head, watching me over her arm. “What are you going to do to me?”

“Everything,” I reply. It’s the truth.

Her eyes widen, green and captivating. Her breath stutters. Her cheeks tinge with the blush I’ve only seen a few times, usually when she’s moments from orgasming.

This time it’s different. This isn’t just lust. Can it be… interest?

Too much to hope.

“Are you going to do as you’re told?” I ask, testing her. “Are you going to be a good girl?”

She comes right back at me, as usual, response as sharp as ever. “Why bother being good when you’re going to punish me anyway?”

She deliberately takes a hand off the bars, scratching her nose while maintaining eye contact, then puts it back where it was.

I almost smile. She brings that out of me, and I haven’t smiled since Juliette became… I haven’t smiled in months. Years. Since before she died. Since before she was always ill, rarely lucid.

Amelia reminds me of her in some ways, yet they’re so different in others. Juliette would never have spoken to me like that.

But my marriage to Juliette was one of convenience. Any love was earned over time, and platonic. My Little Stray is the opposite. The chemistry between us? It… zings.

I know she feels it. It’s apparent in how she responds to me, even when she’s arguing every step of the way.

I climb off the bed and remove my clothes. “Why do you push?”

She turns her head to run her gaze over my chest and stomach, the tip of her tongue dabbing subconsciously at her lower lip. That’s so fucking hot.

“Why do you think?” she retorts sarcastically.

My reply is serious. “Because you want to deny I affect you as much as you affect me.” I kick off my shoes and unzip my pants. “But I was asking you.”

She regards me as I strip naked, her brow furrowing as she considers her response. “Because… I… because… you’ve…” She scowls at me, eyes flicking down to my groin and back to my face. “Because you’re a dick.”

All the things she started to say, then backed off. It intrigues me.

I’m on her in a moment, my hand once more gripping the back of her neck. She must’ve known I would. She expects it. She wants it. Why else would she talk to me like that?

“Say that again. Find out what happens when you do.”

She lets out a squeak, like she’s afraid, but I know she’s not. Not truly. She’s too strong. Her pulse is racing beneath my fingers, her breathing coming shallow and fast. Her knuckles are white where she grips the headboard.

I love seeing the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. The way she bites at her lip, the arousal she can’t hide. It’s intoxicating. “Are you done calling me names?”

“…Yes…” The word comes out high and sharp.

We both know it’s a lie. That’s part of the game.

The truth is, she likes provoking me. Is that anticipation? Fear? The desire for the loss of control?

Maybe it’s simpler. Maybe she just wants to test me, to see what I’ll do.

I give her a little affectionate shake then release her, turning away, walking into the bathroom. There’s a flicker of surprise she can’t quite hide, confusion that I didn’t simply spank that tight, luscious ass some more.