Page 27 of Anywhere

“I’m not going to play this game with you, Rhys. I’m not a patient man,” he said next to my ear.

“Fuck you, Rook. Let go of me and get out,” I growled, even as another wave rocked me, making me gasp.

“You. Are. Mine,” he commanded in my ear.

Shivering, the hair all over my body stood to join the aching shaft between my legs.

“No, I’m not.” I tried to step to the side, but between Rook’s strong hand and the power wrapping itself around me as it tried to bind us together, I only managed a few inches. “Fuck, Rook, just go. You get to have your life back in a few weeks. Why are you torturing me like this?”

Rook pushed hard against my body, and my shaky arms gave way. We collided with the wall, and the little breath of air still in my lungs was forced out. I was trapped between the hardness of his body and the cool stone, and it felt so right. It felt dangerously perfect. My eyes closed as more of my resolve slipped, the power turning into sparks around us.

“I’m your number one,” he said, his hands sliding along my arms until his fingers linked with mine.

“Stop. It. Rook,” I panted out, even as everything in me screamed, begging to continue.

“Make me,” he said, his lips brushing against my ear. He rubbed his body against mine, his hard cock calling to me as it rubbed against my ass.

I had to shake my head to clear some of the fog so I could think straight. With a strength that I didn’t know I possessed, I pulled in the power that was building around us. The reflection on the wall told me my eyes were glowing as well, and with a roar, I pushed back with the power like it was a hand. Rook was forced away from me, and I finally drew a deep breath. I spun to face him, furious.

“How dare ya! How dare ya come into me spot and do dis!”

My hands balled into fists as I glared at my chosen. Rook was what I’d always wanted from my male partner, everything I could want. But he was only here because he was forced to be, and he didn’t plan on staying.

Marching forward, I gave his chest a shove, and he staggered back from the blow. “What are you tryin’ ta do? What da fuck is yer issue?”

Rook stood straight, his shoulders squaring as his jaw twitched, and it was the first time since I’d met him that I understood how domineering he was. The power coming off him was different from my own, yet we were equally matched. His eyes were fierce and more determined than I’d been expecting. He balled his hands and stood like he was ready for a fight. And fuck, it turned me on more. I stifled a groan as I pictured tackling him to the floor.

“I’m claiming what’s mine.”

Prying my eyes away from his, I realized that we were alone. I marched to the bar and grabbed the drink I hadn’t gotten a sip of yet, chugging the fucking thing down.

“Aye, I’m sure,” I said and glared his way, but the damage was done. I’d never get the feel of his body out of my mind. “I’m outta here. Stay outta me spot.”

“No.” His voice was as sharp as a sword’s edge. He snapped his fingers as I took a step and ran into an invisible wall. “Why do you keep doing that?” he asked.

“Doin’ what?” I glared at the man I wanted to strip naked and taste.

“Running. Every single time I try to have a conversation with you, you take off.” Rook gestured towards the door. “I thought you said you’d been hoping for a triad and this union. Well, here I am, putting in the effort, and you’re running again.”

“I’m no’ runnin’.” I backed away from the wall of magic and turned back to face Rook. “Fine, I was runnin’.”

“Did you even hear what I said to you? I’m acknowledging the pairing.” He stepped forward, and his eyes instantly burned a little brighter. “I said I’m claiming what is mine.”

“Aye, but what does dat mean? Are ya stickin’ around? Are you goin’ to make dis yer weekend home? Are ya plannin’ on bein’ exclusive ta da triad? How do ya see dis goin’?” I didn’t back down as he came to stand toe-to-toe with me.

“I don’t know. I don’t have all the answers, but….” He cupped my face, and the earlier connection that I’d managed to wrangle into submission ripped free of my tight hold and slammed into my body like a boomerang on the return. I sucked in a deep breath as my back arched with the unbridled surge of power and desire flowing through my body.

“What I do know is that I want to do this,” Rook said.

I knew it was coming. I could’ve tried to spin out of the way or punch him in the face—both options were tempting. But I didn’t do either of those things as our lips met.

The world stopped. Between one breath and the next, it felt like an eternity had come to pass. It was as if the world paused to acknowledge what was happening here. The power erupted in a smoky swirl that twisted between us. At any other time, that would’ve fascinated me, but instead, Rook was all there was.

His eyes bore into mine, the glow in his blue depths almost blinding. My hands copied his, and I grabbed his face as the kiss became more insistent. The power whirling around us tightened its grip and pulled us closer like a rope—or maybe it was a noose. I didn’t know yet, but the resistance I’d been clinging to evaporated.

“You are mine,” Rook said as he broke the kiss, but our lips remained in contact. “You are mine, and that means no more fucking other people.”

My back hit the wall, and I groaned as he became more demanding. Rook had taken full control, and I was eating it up. I rarely allowed myself to be pushed around, but I wanted him to dominate me. I could easily picture him tying me up, flogging me, spanking me, choking me, and cutting me. I was down for all of it and more with Rook.