My hand tightens in her hair, not enough to hurt, just enough to control. To show her who she belongs to now.
"You understand what I'm saying to you?" I need to be sure. Need her to know exactly what she's agreeing to. "I don't just want to fuck you, Clara. I want to own you. Every inch. Every breath. Everything you are belongs to me now."
She trembles, but not with fear. I can smell her arousal, sweet and heady in the air between us. Her nipples have hardened, pressing against the thin fabric of her dress. Her thighs shift restlessly, seeking friction.
"Yes," she breathes. "I understand."
"No, you don't," I growl, pulling her head back further to expose the delicate line of her throat. "You have no fucking idea what I'm going to do to you. How I'm going to ruin you for any other man. How I'm going to make you beg and scream and come until you pass out."
Her eyes flutter closed, a small moan escaping those perfect lips.
"Look at me," I command.
She obeys instantly, eyes snapping open to meet mine. So responsive. So perfect.
"Tell me you want this," I demand. "Tell me you want me to take you. Claim you. Make you mine."
Her chest rises and falls rapidly, breath coming in short little pants. "I want it," she whispers, then stronger: "I want you to make me yours."
My control shatters.
I crash my mouth down on hers, devouring her like a starving man. She makes a startled sound that quickly melts into a moan as I lick into her mouth, claiming every inch. Her lips are soft,pliant, opening eagerly for me. I taste wine and sweetness and innocence.
My hands move frantically now, one still gripping her hair, the other sliding down to cup her ass, grinding her against my rock-hard cock. Even through our clothes, the pressure makes her gasp into my mouth.
I walk her backward until her back hits the glass, pinning her there with my body. She's so small compared to me, so delicate I could break her if I'm not careful. The thought should make me gentle. Instead, it makes me harder, more desperate to claim what's mine.
"Feel what you do to me," I growl against her lips, grinding my erection against her soft belly. "Feel how hard I am for you. Been like this since I first saw you."
Her hands clutch at my shoulders, nails digging in even through my shirt. "Sabien," she whimpers, my name a prayer on her lips.
I move to her neck, tasting the delicate skin there, marking her with my teeth. Not hard enough to break skin, but enough to leave a mark. A brand. Everyone will know she belongs to someone now.
"Going to take care of you," I promise against her throat. "Going to give you everything you need. Going to fuck this sweet virgin pussy until you're ruined for anyone else."
She moans, head falling back against the glass, offering more of her neck to my mouth. So trusting. So perfect.
Mine. Forever.
My hands find the thin straps of her dress, ready to push them down, to expose her to my hungry gaze. But something stops me. Some last shred of sanity.
I pull back just enough to look at her face. She's flushed, lips swollen from my kisses, eyes glazed with desire. The sight nearly brings me to my knees.
“I’m going to ask you once last time, Clara. Are you sure?" I ask, the question costing me everything. “Because this will only end one way, and that’s with my ring on your finger.”
Her answer will determine everything.
seven
. . .
Clara
"Yes,"I gasp, the word barely audible over the pounding of my heart. "Yes, I'm sure. I want to be yours." The declaration breaks something open inside me—fear and desire and certainty all colliding at once. I've never wanted anything more in my life than I want this man, this moment. His eyes darken impossibly further, something primal and possessive flashing in their depths. Then he moves, and the world tilts on its axis.
He hauls me into his arms like I weigh nothing, one arm under my thighs, the other around my waist. His mouth crashes down on mine in a kiss that steals my breath—urgent, claiming, devouring. I cling to his shoulders, my fingers digging into hard muscle as he carries me through the penthouse.
"You're mine," he growls against my lips, the words vibrating through me. "Mine."