Page 13 of My Cruel Salvation

“No.” That’s all he says, and before I have a chance to question, his fingers are no longer twined in my hair. Instead, he’s ripping the damn straps free so that the shimmery material now falls down around my feet, leaving me in nothing except the strappy Louis Vuitton heels I’ve yet to take off.

“I liked that dress,” I murmur, not remotely upset.

“I like you better naked.”

I try to answer, but his fingers thrust deeper, stealing my words. And then, before I even realize what’s happening, he’s no longer inside me. I barely have time to draw a breath before I’m pushed up against the wall. He grabs my thigh, lifting it up and hooking it around his hip. Then I hear the metallic scrape of his zipper and the next thing I know, he’s inside me, fucking me hard as my back scrapes against the wall with each powerful, demanding thrust.

I start to cry out, but his hand clamps over my mouth, silencing me as he slams into me over and over with a wild brutality that has my nipples tightening and an orgasm rushing like an out of control train toward an explosion so intense I think I just might rip apart from the tremors that tear through my body.

All too soon, Devlin explodes inside me, our eyes locked on each other as my body clenches tight around his cock, and though my back feels raw, I can’t remember ever feeling this wonderfully, deliciously used.

“El,” he says, his voice so soft I can barely hear it. He pulls me down to the floor, and we land hard.

“Holy fuck,” I say, not even caring about the hard wood floor beneath me. My heart is pounding and every inch of my skin feels alive. “That was—”

“Did you mean it?” His voice is low. Steady. But there’s something in his tone that worries me.

I roll onto my side and prop myself up, my brow furrowed as I try to figure out what he means.

“You once told me I could use you,” he explains his hands going to my hips and urging me to straddle him. “Rough, sweet, whatever I needed.” He’s still semi-hard, and he guides my hips so that I’m stroking my pussy against him, and the friction on my sensitive clit sends tremors of ecstasy ricocheting through me. “Did you mean it?” he repeats.

“About using me?” My voice is breathy. “I think you just did.”

His expression darkens, and I frown, regretting my teasing tone. “Devlin, oh, God, yes. Of course, I meant it. Whatever you need. However you want. And you don’t have to ask.” I bend forward, my bare breasts brushing the smooth silk blend of his tuxedo jacket as I brush my lips over his ear. “It’s better when you don’t ask.”

I feel, but don’t hear, his laughter. “I love you, El. I love you, and I’m so damn sorry.”

“Sorry?” I pull back to study his face. “What on earth for?”

“I lied, El. I’m a goddamn coward, and I lied.”

Chapter Seven

I stare at him, fear cutting through me as I push myself up and off of him so that I’m on the floor beside him, my knees hugged to my chest. “What are you talking about?”

He sits up, too, then slowly takes off the jacket and lays it on the floor, the silk lining exposed. “I once told you that I’d leave if that’s what it takes to protect you, but that was bullshit. Even if me walking away right this minute could take that target off your back, I wouldn’t go. You’re mine,” he says fiercely. “Dammit, El, tell me you’re mine.”

I study his face. His expression that is both determined and vulnerable. “Devlin. Oh, Devlin, my love. You know I am.”

I don’t realize I’m crying until I feel the warm tears trickle down my cheeks. I move closer to him, then start to unbutton his shirt. “I’m yours,” I repeat. “Spank me, fuck me. Use me however you want. Just never, ever leave me.”

“I won’t. I can’t. And dammit, El, I hate myself for it.”

“No.” I can feel my heart breaking. “Devlin, no.”

“Do you realize the danger tonight put you in?” There’s fury in his voice. At whoever leaked his identity and at himself. “If I’d just pushed you away when you came back to Laguna Cortez. If I’d never let you see under my goddamn mask—”

“What?” I snap. “Then I might not be in danger? I was in danger, and you know it. I was a fucking danger to myself.” It’s true. I’d taken so many risks. Stupid things like fucking dangerous men to really stupid things like taking mountain curves too fast. I’d been reckless, tempting that bitch Fate because she’d stolen everyone I love from me.

“You’re not putting me in danger,” I tell him. “God, Devlin, after everything we’ve been through, don’t you get it? You’re the one who keeps me safe. You keep me centered. It’s not me flipping the bird at Fate anymore. It’s you and me together, telling whoever’s trying to harm us that they better run far and fast. Because you—we—won’t let them get away with it.”

I squeeze his hands. “Please, please hear what I’m saying. I’m safe with you. I’m alive with you. In here.” I take his hand and press it over my heart. “Whoever is out there that wants to hurt us? Fuck them. We’re stronger together.”

For a moment, silence lingers. I feel my pulse pounding in my throat—and also between my legs. My words were true, but they also turned me on. My nipples are tight, and I can’t deny that I want him to take me again. No, to use me again. Wild. Rough. Dangerous. I want it all. I want to feel. Flying down a canyon road in Shelby at a hundred-plus? That’s nothing compared to where I want Devlin to take me right now.

And yet he’s not saying anything, just looking at me with the kind of heat that hints at danger. That suggests he wants to devour me. So help me, I want to be devoured.

I almost whimper, and I want so desperately to reach between my legs and get myself off. This is so fucked up, and right now I don’t even know if it’s only me or if he feels it too. But oh, please God, I hope he does.