Page 84 of Deadfall

I tried to move my head away, but he held me in place. His other hand moved the flat of the blade across the swell of my breast. My inability to be in control took me back to a time in the forest I didn’t like thinking about. My breath hitched as his hand moved to the back of my neck. He slowly bent me forward and kicked my ankles apart. I jumped when I felt the hilt of the knife slide between my legs, and rub over my clit. My body trembled as he moved it between my pussy and back up, then did it again—not penetrating—only stroking the hilt back and forth. Riggs’ breathing stuttered and I could see him in the mirror as he watched the knife. The hunger in his eyes lit a fire between my legs, and at the fourth pass I bit back a sound of irritation.

He smirked and brought the hilt up to my lips. “You’re getting wet, Syn.”

“Fuck you,” I stammered.

He tossed the knife into the sink and maneuvered me toward the shower. I knew what was about to happen, and although my body seemed confused, I absolutely did not want Riggs near me. I lashed out and caught him off guard. With a grunt, he went down on one knee, and I slipped past him in an attempt to get out of the bathroom.

“Don’t you fucking dare,” he snarled.

Riggs grabbed my ankle and yanked. I went down hard against the cabinets. He dragged me back toward him while I scrambled for anything I could use against him. There was nothing. I turned and launched myself at him instead. I punched him several times in the face, but I couldn’t get enough leverage to knock him out.

As I went for the door again, he collided with me so hard my chin slammed against the wood. I saw stars. Dazed, I only vaguely registered my wrists being zip-tied together. I was dragged back into the shower and restrained to a metal handhold. I heard a zipper as Riggs fumbled with his pants.

“No!” I struggled.

The past was so close. I didn’t like being tied. I didn’t like being helpless.

“Riggs, let me go!” I cried. “Let me go!”

He growled against my neck, and his hand moved to my jaw as he pressed against my back.

“You want this, Syn,” Riggs panted, his voice like gravel. “I’ve been patient long enough.”

He pressed his cock against my entrance. “No, Riggs—”

Pressure assaulted me as he shoved inside. Visions of the forest flashed, and I struggled and clawed at the tile. I wasn’t nearly wet enough, and he pulled back and tried again. His fingers dug into my hip and I cried out as his second thrust buried himself to the hilt.

“Fuck, Syn, relax,” Riggs panted in my ear. “If you behave, I’ll make it feel good.”

The words echoed the hunters. I closed my eyes and sagged against the shower wall. My mind started to hover outside my body. Apparently, Riggs didn’t want me to check out though because his palm connected with my face in a few rough taps. His fingers pinched my cheeks and dragged my chin over my shoulder towards him.

“No, no—feel me inside you?” He growled. “I’m so hard for you, Syn.”

“I hate you.” My voice shook as his thrust drove me into the tile.

He only chuckled and his hand went down between my legs. He pinched my clit hard and I cried out in pain. He didn’t let up until my legs shook.

“Careful with those words,” he said breathlessly. “I might do something I regret.”

Riggs continued his hard thrusts and planted open mouthed kisses on my neck. His other hand found my nipple and twisted it roughly between his fingers. The pain cut through the numbness as I fought to breathe through the flashes of the past.

“I’m gonna come,” Riggs groaned.

His thrusts stuttered, and he draped over my back and came with a curse and a few last shoves inside me. Cracks raced through the armor I’d erected and tears streaked down my face. I shook with sobs I could barely contain—something threatened to shatter. I wasn’t sure if it was the numbness or my sanity. Riggs stepped back with a groan and one arm snaked around my waist. He licked a rogue tear.

“Don’t cry, Syn,” he said, condescendingly. “You can’t possibly tell me you didn’t enjoy that.”

He grabbed the knife and carelessly cut the zip-ties. I slid down to the floor of the shower and rubbed my wrists as I glared up at him. Riggs wrapped his hand around my neck and bent down close, a vicious look on his face.

“What do you say?” He demanded.

“Fuck yo—” He slapped me.

My cheek burned, and I focused on the tile near my knee to avoid looking at him.

“You say, ‘thank you’,” Riggs growled.

I pressed my lips together and Riggs smiled cruelly. “Say it, or next time I won’t be as gentle.”