Page 104 of Brutal Vows

“That’s your idea of acompliment?”

“Oh, shut up, Quinn.”

I pull his head down and kiss him hard, and within seconds, he’s forgotten all about it.

TWENTY-FOUR

SPIDER

She thinks I’ve forgotten about it, but I haven’t.

And I won’t.

Ever.

Because I know exactly what’s behind that non-compliment, and it sets my soul on fire.

It’s like when the stray cat you’ve been trying to feed for months that’s always hissed and run away when you approached finally decides one day it will accept your pathetic offering of kibble and allow you to watch from a safe distance as it dines, glaring at you with unconcealed contempt.

It’s called progress.

I’m not stupid. I know it will take a helluva lot more than forced commitment and good sex to break down all her walls.

But it’s a start.

In the meantime, I’m going to fuck her silly.

TWENTY-FIVE

REY

He withdraws, flips me onto my belly, pulls me up onto my knees, then plunges his still-hard shaft back inside me with a grunt that sounds animalistic. Gripping my hips in both hands, he starts to thrust again.

My face buried in the duvet cover, I sigh in happiness.

His laugh is dark and knowing. “Aye, lass. I love it, too.”

I’m jarred by the mention of that four-letter word, but get distracted when he reaches around and starts to fondle my pussy as he fucks me, tweaking my clit and sliding his fingers all around the place we’re joined. I moan and close my eyes, desperately pulling at the blankets.

He says something in Gaelic, a brief, growled word, then fucks me harder.

Though I’m fully exposed, scars and all, I feel no self- consciousness. All my awareness is centered on my body and what he’s doing to it. The glorious way he’s making it feel.

Until he reaches back around and presses his wet thumb between my ass cheeks.

I jerk, stiffening. My eyes fly open wide.

“Easy, viper,” he croons gently. “Remember, you can always say no.”

“I can always use that pen on the nightstand to puncture your jugular, too.”

“Until I hear a no or you communicate what else you’d rather have me do, I’m amusing myself with this perfect arse of yours.”

Slowing the thrusts of his hips, he starts to gently stroke his thumb back and forth over the sensitive knot of flesh. Around and around, over and down, he fondles it as I try to decide if it’s amazing or if I’m going to buck and kick him under the chin.

After a few breathless moments, I go with amazing.

When he feels me relax, he growls, “Fucking hell, you’re gorgeous. My sweet girl. I’d kill an army for you. I’d burn down empires and lay all their gold at your feet.”