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I’d spouted off love to a man I wasn’t certain I knew any longer. Maybe I hadn’t known Maxsim at all. Seeing fire in his eyes wasn’t new, but right now, all I could see in them were shards of ice crystals from hatred and rage. I sensed the evil substance had also claimed his heart.

What the hell did he have planned? I was horrified and yet every inch of my body tingled with anticipation.

As he fisted a handful of my hair, jerking back my head, I clawed his arms. Nothing could hurt him. Not only was he strong and powerful, he was resilient to physical pain.

But I could see the flash of despair in his eyes even now and all from the thought of losing the two people he loved the most.

Love.

Was it possible the man could actually love someone with all his heart?

“Let me go,” I snapped.

“No, I can’t do that.”

“So you’ve said, but I won’t stay here.”

“Oh, yes, you will.”

“You’re not listening to me. Do you really want me to end up hating you after all this? Is that what you want?”

He took a deep breath, his huge presence creating a wave of need that I shouldn’t feel or even tolerate, but he was a man eager to devour me.

“Goddamn you, woman. You do everything in your power to expose old wounds while creating new ones. You know exactly how to get to me and what you do to me. I am finished with playing nice. You are mine, Isabel. Not for tonight or for another week. Not for a fling but forever. You belong to me.”

As he crashed his lips over mine, I was instantly brought to a state in which I was floating outside my body. His lips were soft and warm, his hold as strong and unforgiving as all the dreams and wishes I’d had. Even the taste of him was incredible, scotch and peppermint, a dangerously seductive combination.

He swept his tongue inside, dominating mine as if proving what he’d just said was accurate. In belonging to him, I felt a sense of peace while thoroughly excited. My pussy ached, the extreme heat leading all the way into my core.

When he swept his arm around my waist, pulling me onto my toes, I pressed my fists against his chest. I wasn’t certain whether I was trying to pull him even closer or to push him away. Whatever the case, he wasn’t budging.

Stars floated in front of my eyes, bright and beautiful, so vivid I could no longer focus. But there was a sense of knowing that if this continued, I would no longer have any control over my life. With determination, I managed to try to push him away, breaking the connection long enough for both of us to gasp for air.

“You’re an asshole,” I growled.

His smile was brighter than before, the deep blue of his eyes mesmerizing. “Do you know how many times I’ve wanted to hear you say that even one more time?”

“Oh, you bastard.” I gripped his shirt, capturing his lips. I should have known better than to try to take control.

He refused to allow me the pleasure.

I shoved him away, moving quickly toward the door, convincing myself I wasn’t playing a game of cat and mouse.

Yet I couldn’t lie to anyone including myself that I wanted him to chase and catch me. That I needed to feel as if he would never let me go, no matter how far he had to go or what gray area he’d crush. Did that make me a terrible person? Maybe, but the thought of marriage was as terrifying as it was electrifying.

The moment I felt his hand on my arm, a few prickles appeared dancing across my skin. When he swung me around to face him and seeing the crazed, possessive look in his eyes, my entire body became overheated. And with the way he pushed me against the wall as if refusing to take no for an answer, I was lost in pure euphoria.

Our relationship was all about push and pull. From the start I’d refused to obey his ridiculous rules, behavior that irritated as well as heightened his craving for full domination. Perhaps that’s what had created the bubble surrounding us. At first, I’d thought the surface impenetrable from enemies.

Now I knew I was wrong. Suffering would always follow, which was why the rush of feelings and need had become so intense.

For both of us.

He cupped my jaw, pressing my head against the wall as he shook his. “Vy—samaya nevynosimaya zhenshchina iz vsekh, kogo ya kogda-libo vstrechal.”

“How dare you.” I had no clue what he’d said, yet I had fire in belly and longing in my heart.

His laugh and the way he lowered his head, breathing across my neck had me swooning. “I said that you are the most trying woman I've ever met. I can see I’m going to need to restrain you.”