Page 99 of Hunt Me

The closeness.

The need.

The knowing.

Almost from minute one, the second he’d touched me. The connection was brutal and unforgiving just like the man.

“I’ve done many horrible things in my life, Bristol, but allowing a child to die is not one of them and never will be.”

Jerking away, I pressed the heels of my hands against my eyes. “This is crazy. Impossible.”

“But it happened.”

I slowly opened my eyes, studying his face and expression, the haunted look I’d seen before. He was telling me the truth.

There was a kind of delight in his eyes, raw yet possessive, his hot breath skipping across my face. I was momentarily mesmerized, the exotic, woodsy scent of him filtering into mynostrils, slip-sliding all the way down to my toes. When he allowed his gaze to fall ever so slowly to my chest, I was left breathless and uncertain how to feel or react, embarrassed that my nipples were rock hard, highlighted by the thin material of the flimsy dress I’d chosen.

I pressed my hand against his chest, the tips tingling from the slight touch. As I lifted my head, still amazed by how his eyes continuously searched my soul, I knew our lives were forever intertwined.

After cocking his head, he brushed the fingers of his other hand down the side of my neck, swirling the tip of his index finger around my jugular. I’d never experienced anyone like him. So dominating.

So possessive.

“So beautiful,” he whispered in a husky tone. “It’s going to be a pleasure to take all of you.” He wrapped his hand around my neck, holding me in place as he lowered his head until our lips were centimeters apart.

He brushed hair from my shoulder, tangling his fingers briefly before sliding his hand around the back of my neck.

“What happened on that night?”

His laugh was subtle yet choked. “Hell on earth.”

I believed him.

“None of that matters any longer. You’re mine, Bristol. My perfect angel. All mine.”

His possessive tone was even colder than before, as if he couldn’t live or breathe without me by his side.

I struggled in his firm hold until his hand tightened, squeezing with enough pressure I knew he could snap my neck. But that wasn’t his intention. He was claiming what he truly believed belonged to him. When he pressed his lips against mine, I took several raspy breaths. “We can’t do this.”

Mikhail issued a series of low growls, the deep sound vibrating in my chest. “Yes, we can and we will.”

Every part of my body remained on edge, shrinking back as much as his hold would allow. My conscience was fighting with the realization that if I surrendered to this man, this merciless killer, there would be no going back.

Exhaling, he pulled away by several inches. Then without warning, he claimed my mouth. I pushed my hands against him, trying to break the connection, but it was no use. I refused to open my mouth as he shoved his tongue against my lips, but the anguish of his fingers digging into my jaw forced an involuntary action.

His actions forceful, he swirled his tongue against mine, teasing relentlessly. The taste of him was overtly masculine, the flavors of whiskey and what had to be cinnamon enticing my taste buds. I should try to refuse him, to drive him away, but he was far too powerful, able to hold me in place with ease. And I’d never felt so safe or so alive in my life. Everything about him was larger than life, the kiss so all-consuming that it sucked all the air out of my lungs. I was lightheaded, stars floating in the periphery of my vision.

The same stubble on his jaw I’d found so sexy scraped against my skin, igniting a firestorm of desire burning between my legs. I couldn’t believe I was wet, the dampness between my legs adding to the wave of embarrassment. For a few incredibleseconds, I found myself falling into the kiss, the moment of pure sin unlike anything I’d ever experienced. I was almost drunk on my desire, dizzy from the passion, no longer able to feel my legs. If the brute of a man hadn’t been holding me, there was no doubt I’d stumble and fall.

Everything about this was so wrong, on every level. I wasn’t supposed to be attracted to a monster. I couldn’t be. I just…

He gave me no choice, gathering me in his arms while dominating my tongue. I clung to him, wrapping my arms around his neck, the uncertainty of what this meant creating another wave of excitement so powerful I could no longer breathe or think.

When he broke the kiss, he peered down at me, his eyes completely unfocused. There were so many questions in my mind. Why had he been forced to save me? What had happened that night? Why were we there?

And who had he been?

Yet he was right before. None of the unanswered questions mattered at least right now.