Page 24 of Pretty Vengeance

At least he’s promising things will remain consensual. He curls his fingers in a gesture for me to follow him.

“Wait.” As I stand, my brows furrow. “You want to start now?”

Giving me a once-over, the corners of his mouth curve into a smirk. “I wanted to start the second I laid eyes on you.”

The flames consuming my insides burn brighter. James O’Rourke is officiallythe kingof right answers.

“Lead the way.”

His smirk widens into a breath-stealing smile. “That’s the plan.”

* * *

JAMIE

My cock is madeof quarry stone as I guide Sawyer up to my room. Cranberry Sauce is calm, at least outwardly, which is unusual. It may mean I’ll be able to take her farther faster. My muscles twitch with anticipation. Everything about her draws me in until all thoughts disintegrate in the face of stripping and fucking her.

Sawyer rests a hand on the charcoal-colored fabric of the headboard before lifting her eyes to the painting above it. “Pretty.”

The horizontal abstract is indigo and gray, reminiscent of a stormy sea. The magenta of her hair complements it, bringing some heat to the cold. Apparently, I’m determined to see the rightness of her being here in every small detail.

As she continues to admire the art, she says, “It reminds me of the ocean you find in books.”

That’s my feeling, too. Melville andThe Perfect Storm. I enjoy that she sees it, but conversation isn’t what we’re on about right now. “Take off your clothes, Sauce.”

Her head turns to look at me intently. “You first?” Her voice is steady enough, but the way she swallows tells me she’s playing at bravery rather than owning it.

“No.” The word’s sharp as a smack.

She exhales a breath as her fingers fondle her zipper, courage faltering.

Reaching out, I grab her waistband. I jerk her closer to me, offering the reassurance of physical closeness at the same time I’m wresting control. “This is the game we’re playing, Sawyer. I own you. You in or not?” My tone is commanding but not rough.

She must take it that way though because she winces. I don’t backpedal. She’s no good to me as a play partner if she stands in the corner like a reluctant virgin.

With quick breaths, she unfastens her jeans.

Good girl.

My lips brush her temple, imparting my approval. I take a step back to give her room to undress. “Keep going, Sauce.”

The way I want her burns inside me. This kind of pent-up desire is something I haven’t felt before. Pushing my sleeves up, I flex my forearms impatiently.

The pulse in her neck jumps. Points to her for not outright balking. She’s curious, which is the best thing a new toy can be.

She pauses, taking a heavy breath. For a moment, I think she might bolt for the door. Then, something angry and rebellious flashes in her eyes. With jerky movements, she strips down to skin.

Suddenly, I’m faced with a girl who’s exactly what nature intended to bring about the fall of man. Full breasts, protruding nipples, smooth skin, a small waist flaring into round hips, and a thatch of chestnut curls over her sex. Not a single girl I’ve fucked at GU has had hair on her pussy. I’d forgotten what it looked like.

On this girl, I like it.

Her flushed cheeks make my cock jerk with errant hunger.

My instinct is to praise her for taking the first big step into the scene, but that might cause her to falter. Instead, I keep my voice firm. “Lie on the bed on your back.”

Her silence is almost hostile as she obeys. Which doesn’t give me pause. An air raid couldn’t give me pause at this point.

I consider keeping my clothes on to emphasize the power differential, but a deep compulsion pushes me to shed my clothes. Though we’ve only just met, I feel like I’ve been waiting forever for this, for her. And I want the maximum amount of skin contact.