Page 124 of Bound in Ashes

My mouth was open, my breath harsh as I squeezed. I felt like I was coming out of my skin, desire—pain—the all-encompassing need for this woman leaving me in a twisted state.

I could protect her.

Would kill anything that would make her frown, let alone threaten to harm her.

And she was scared of me.

Had every right to be.

She flinched, and I realized I was squeezing harder now.

I loosened my hold and stared down at her, unable to deny the truth of it.

I’d lost her.

Had never had her.

Not really.

And now I never would.

“On your knees. Ass up,” I grated, my voice barely sounding like my own.

Asia twisted, trying to look back at me.

I pushed her shirt up the smooth skin of her back and put my hand at the base of her neck. “Don’t fucking look at me.”

I waited, satisfaction surging through me when she complied.

At least I had this.

Knew there was no one else who could make her feel this.

It would have to be enough.

I looked down at her beautiful back, the curve of her ass, so loving encased in plain white cotton.

I breathed in deep, sure I smelled her scent and desperation for me.

Pressed my nose between her thighs, breathing deeper, and then pushed the panties aside.

“Umph.” She let out an indelicate huff when I pushed her down on the bed, and then turned to look back at me.

I couldn’t meet her eyes, but looked in her direction long enough to bark, “I said ass up.”

I let a split second pass before I smacked her ass, then squeezed.

Couldn’t stop the smile when she complied, pulling herself to her knees, then looking back at me.

She was pushing me, daring me.

She might hate me. I squeezed tighter, knowing I would leave a bruise but not giving a fuck.

She might be afraid of me.

But she loved this.

Slap.