Page 14 of Kidnapped By the Beast (Beasts of the Kindred #11)

brANDT

Brandt walked out of the Bacillus Garden with Alexandra at his side, his stride long and purposeful. She stumbled a little in her haste to keep up and he caught her arm to keep her from falling. He didn’t want to let go of her, but he forced himself to—though he slowed his pace.

From the corner of his eyes, he could see that her cheeks were crimson and her large, bare breasts were flushed. The scent of her desire was also heavy in the air. He forced his eyes straight ahead, his jaw locked.

What have I done? Why did I do that to her in public even though she begged me not to?

He should never have taken her behind that tree.

Should never have tasted her juices, never pressed his fingers into that hot, tight sheath that had clenched around him so greedily.

He was a scientist, here on a mission of research.

Not a man who knelt in the grass to finger-fuck his unwilling assistant in public!

Except she hadn’t been unwilling. Not really. She had moaned and cried out, gripping the tree as though she needed it to stay upright. Her body had sung beneath his touch, trembling and eager and needy for more.

She wanted it. She wants me. She likes it when I touch her that way—especially in public. I should have made her come.

He clenched his fists at his sides. No. That way lay madness. He had sworn an oath, laid his hand on the cold stone of his wife’s grave and promised never to claim another bride. He would not betray that vow—not for anyone.

Still, his body betrayed him. His cock was hard as stone, straining against the confines of his trousers, throbbing with the memory of her slick heat coating his fingers. The taste of her nectar lingered on his tongue, sweet and faintly salty—uniquely Alexandra.

He cast another glance at her from the corner of his eye. She was walking stiffly, her breasts bouncing freely with each step. She looked mortified—furious even—but there was a dazed look in her green eyes. Her nipples were stiff peaks, reddened from his mouth, her scent still sharp with desire.

She is aroused when I dominate her. When I strip away her defenses, she yields. Gods help me, she responds to me so beautifully.

He wanted to put the nipple clamps back on her. He longed to tug the golden chain between them again, to hear her sharp gasp followed by a soft moan of pleasure. He wanted—no, needed—to push her further. To see how far she would bend to his command…

“Dr. Brandt?” Dr. TOo-loo’s voice broke through his forbidden thoughts.

The Terian had caught up with them, his four eyes bright with curiosity.

“Did you note the increased secretion of nectar? I could smell it even from here. Very promising! I believe she has taken in quite a bit of Bacillus already.”

“Yes,” Brandt said, nodding. “I will test her samples later. She’s turning out to be an excellent test subject.”

Alexandra shot him a look of pure outrage.

“Test subject? Excuse me, I’m right here and I’m a person, you know.”

He turned his gaze on her, giving her his sternest expression.

“You are here to fulfill a scientific contract, Alexandra—that’s all. Don’t forget it.”

Her blush deepened. She bit her lip again, that soft, maddening lip, and looked away. But not before he caught the spark of heat in her eyes. Anger, yes—and maybe something else. Hurt? Disappointment? Was she upset that he was only treating her as a test subject and not a romantic love interest.

No, surely not. They barely knew each other—she didn’t want that from him. Did she? Even if she did, he couldn’t give it.

Brandt’s chest tightened. He forced himself to look ahead once more, his face a mask of control.

This is research. It is only research. It cannot be anything else.

And yet the seed of doubt, of longing, had already taken root. He feared it was only a matter of time before it grew into something he could no longer control.