Page 21

CHAPTER 20

ANASTASIA

Holy shit, what the hell am I doing?

Why can’t I stop myself when it comes to winding him up? That look in his eyes, it was a warning.

An exciting one. His smouldering gaze lit me up like a damn firework.

He watches me, almost with amusement. I take a deep breath, the scent of pine filling my lungs as I kick off my heels.

With one final grin playing on my lips, I slowly retreat, the silence amplifying my every step.

“Looks like you better catch me then,” I tell him before turning my back to him and take off in a sprint.

Grabbing a fistful of my dress, I yank it up to give me more space to run. The tree line is my only hope. Once I’m there, I can disappear among the brush and lose him. I can feel him gaining on me, but I’m faster. It may be my only chance to escape.

The icy ground sends a jolt through my foot each time they land making me wince, yet the adrenaline keeps me moving.

Maybe I’ve lost him? Slowing to a stop, I rest my hand on a trunk and try to catch my breath. It’s so still. Eerily silent.

Just as I go to make a hard turn left, the world blurs as I crash, my face impacting his hard chest with a jarring thud.

His hands tighten around my waist, a possessive grip that both thrills and frightens me.

“Too easy, pretty girl,” he drawls.

I push against him, but he holds me tighter, a low chuckle rumbling in his throat.

Okay. New plan.

“Mikhail. T-there’s a guy behind you.” I put as much fear in my voice as I can.

As predicted, with a swift, practiced movement, he sweeps me behind him, the leather of his holster creaking as his gun comes free.

I take the opportunity to slide away from his back, getting out of his grip.

“Anastasia,” he growls.

Shit, that was hot. I let out a giggle. I can’t help myself. Without looking back, I run.

“You best keep running, baby. For both of our sakes,” he growls. “Don’t let me catch you again. Remember, I’m a monster.”

How am I both scared and incredibly turned on?

The rhythmic thud of my blood filled my ears, a deafening counterpoint to the ominous creak of branches as I fight my way through the endless line of trees.

My body trembles, a wave of fear washing over me as I try to take another step, but my feet remain rooted to the spot.

“Shit,” I hiss. Looking down and seeing the white sparkly fabric of my dress tangled up against the branches. I pull as hard as I can, the sound of tearing echoing into the forest as I lose my balance and tumble forward.

“A bit stuck, pretty girl?” His low voice goes right through making me freeze.

Before I can inhale, his hand is around my throat, choking me as he lifts me. My back is pressed against the rough, unforgiving bark, where the splinters dig into my skin.

“Is this what you wanted, hmm?” His dark mask hovers in front of me with his lidded eyes raking up and down my body.

I fight for breath feeling the chilling touch of his fingers on my bare collarbone. It’s a stark contrast to my racing pulse.

“Y-yes.”

His thick thigh presses between my legs, while his grip tightens around my neck, making the blood pound in my ears.

“We cross this line and there is no going back. If you want this, that makes you mine. My wife in every sense of the damn word. Understand?”

My stomach churns with nervous anxiety, but I defiantly tip my chin up, the subtle metallic tang of fear in my mouth.

“Do it, big man. I. Dare. You.” I utter those words with as much confidence as I can muster.

Is this how I thought I’d lose my virginity? No.

Do I want it? Yes. More than anything.

His eyes burn into mine, assessing me. I feel exposed like never before. His hand slowly releases my throat and moves up the back of my head, fingers threading through my hair and tugging gently on my scalp until it tips my chin up.

“You are fucking mine, Anastasia.” His voice is so deep and gravelly, my pussy aches for him to be inside. That is more exciting than the fear dancing in my veins.

A yelp escapes my lips as he spins me, my face scraping against the coarse trunk.

The cold air whips around my legs as he shoves up my dress around my waist. My legs shake, a silent vibration beneath me as I squeeze my eyes shut. I hug the rough bark of the tree, its coolness seeping into my skin, as I struggle desperately to keep my balance.

“Fuck I bet you taste so good, gorgeous.”

He spreads my ass. I let out a yelp as he runs his finger along my pussy.

“Nice and wet for me, my naughty girl.”

I scream out when his finger slides in.

“Jesus,” he hisses behind me as he pushes inside.

It takes a moment to adjust to the feeling. I press my face against the bark. He yanks my head back by my hair and I can’t help the moan that escapes my lips.

“Fuck, I could come just watching you like this.”

I hear his zipper and the next thing I feel the tip of his dick pressed against me. How the fuck is that going to fit?

I take in a deep breath and bite down on my tongue as he thrusts inside me, his own groans distracting me from the stinging that consumes me as he shoves himself in, inch by inch.

Holy fuck, how big is he? It burns to the point tears spill down my cheeks.

I hold my breath, riding out the pain as his hips meet my ass.

“Damn, you feel so fucking good, iskorka. Made for me.”

My chest tightens at his words, almost softening the pain. I knew the first time would not be an easy ride, especially not with a man like Mikhail.

He doesn’t give me time to adjust before he pulls back and slams inside me. A scream tears from my throat, and then his hand is there, a suffocating weight over my mouth.

A wave of unfamiliar sensations—a strange blend of agony and ecstasy—consumes me, overwhelming my mind, body, and soul. I forget that I’m in a forest, bare to the world.

I push aside the reality of his absent lips, the unscented air, and the complete void of romance.

No. This is better. It’s raw. It’s dark and dirty. It’s very us.

Gasping for air, I feel the burning in my lungs before he releases my mouth and presses firmly between my shoulder blades, drawing my body closer to his as he intensifies his movements.

Until I see stars in my vision.

Holy fuck. Is this what I’ve been missing out on?