Page 17

Ryker

I woke to the feel of Cadence’s supple flesh beneath my palm. I ran my hand over the smooth, silky skin of her hip, and it was so soft I found myself unable to stop touching her. The bond surged inside me, and I felt an inexplicable urge to claim her, mark her, make her mine. The thought had my cock thickening against her ass.

Yesterday, I had finally broken her.

My Temptress had gotten to her knees for me and had given me her submission. And then I’d fucked her so hard, she’d passed out. A satisfied growl rumbled in my chest as I recalled how beautifully she had shattered for me.

Cadence murmured in her sleep and pressed herself against me. My cock throbbed in response. I was ready to repeat every sordid thing we’d done the day before, but just as I shifted to pull her closer, the growl that had vibrated up my throat tore its way free, and Cadence stiffened.

“Don’t be coy now, Temptress. I’ve already tasted your submission.”

Cadence rolled onto her back and glared at me. She studied me for the longest time, and then her features softened.

I moved to position myself on top of her, but Cadence placed her small palm against my sternum. My eyes narrowed, and she smiled up at me, the picture of innocence.

“I want to try something,” she whispered. A thrill shot through me with her words. Her fingers danced down my chest as she shifted before she rolled me onto my back, straddling my waist.

Her eyes glinted with mischief as she glanced around the room. She furrowed her brows as she gazed at something I could not see.

“I’ll be right back.”

Her broad grin was so captivating that I felt my own lips tug upward in response.

My gaze tracked her every movement as she rushed to the other side of my chambers. The way her naked ass bounced, and her hips swayed had my cock begging for attention. A moment later, she returned to the bed, a triumphant smile on her face. She held my leather belt in one hand and a scarf in the other.

I raised a curious brow as I smirked at her, and Cadence bit her lower lip, looking nervous. She didn’t let it deter her, though. She climbed back onto the bed, straddling me once again. Her fingers worked quickly as she secured my wrists to the headboard, first with the belt and then the scarf.

I tugged against the restraints. They were tight, but not painful. Still, an excited thrill ran through me at the way she took control. I was eager to explore whatever fantasies she could conjure.

Cadence beamed down at me before her gaze darkened with desire. She lowered herself to my chest as she kissed a path from my throat to my navel. The feel of her breasts pressed against my bare skin almost drove me insane with need. I resisted the urge to fight my bindings and grab her. Something about the way she moved, commanding the moment, made me want to let her enjoy herself.

Cadence glanced up at me from under her lashes, her smile sexy yet taunting. She placed her lips around the crown of my hard cock and sucked lightly. I groaned, nearly coming as though I were a boy experiencing his first woman.

Instead of taking my cock into her throat like I expected her to, Cadence kissed the tip before she pulled away and jumped off the bed with a wicked grin.

“What are you doing?” I demanded, as she searched the room again before ducking out of sight.

“Aha!” she exclaimed as she stood.

Her eyes were alight with victory, and she held a pair of tight leather trousers in her hands that I certainly did not have commissioned for her. A moment later, she retrieved an emerald green tunic and a brown corset.

She dressed quickly before pulling on her boots.

“Cadence,” I growled, the warning clear in my tone.

I didn’t know what game she was playing, but I wasn’t about to let her get away with it.

She grinned, completely unfazed, as she placed her hands on her hips.

Even though she was clearly scheming, I couldn’t help but admire how fucking sexy she looked in her fighting leathers.

“You’ve got a little something…”

Cadence trailed off as she flicked her thumb against the corner of her mouth.

Was she suggesting I was drooling?

I nearly choked on a laugh.

Wait, was I?

“Whatever you think you’re doing, I promise it won’t work,” I warned, “and it’ll just earn you another punishment.”

Cadence’s eyes sparkled with defiance, but I noticed the subtle way she pressed her thighs together, and I smirked.

“You know what, Ryker,” she hissed, her voice trembling with fury. “You abduct me, hold me captive, control my every move, and you still think you have the right to punish me.”

Cadence stalked toward me, and she leaned down until she was mere inches from my face.

“Fuck. You.”

I could feel the heat radiating from her body, and I inched closer, eager to have her sear my flesh.

“Let this be your first lesson. I do not belong to you. My body is my own. My mind is my own. My magic is my own. I will never bond with you. I will never fuel your power. You’re not a good man, Ryker. You are the villain in our story.”

“Ah, but you accept it is our story.”

Cadence’s eyes widened in disbelief before she threw her arms up in the air with a frustrated cry.

She stomped toward the door, but before she opened it, she glanced over her shoulder, her lips curving into a sly smirk.

“Be a good boy and use this time to reflect on how you might improve your unpleasant demeanor.”

With a final haughty glance, she slipped through the doorway and shut it behind her.

I threw my head back and laughed. My little mate surprised me, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it. Her defiance was fucking intoxicating.

I let my power flood my veins, and my shadows spilled from me. In an instant, the belt and scarf fell away as my restraints loosened. I dropped my arms, a dark thrill coursing through me at what lay ahead.

Cadence wanted to fight, and that knowledge did not disappoint me. I inhaled deeply, savoring the ecstasy of her impending submission.

The thought of breaking her entirely was fucking thrilling.