Page 1 of Ruins of Temptation (Corium University Trilogy 4)

PROLOGUE

LUCAS

I tighten my grip around her slender throat as I fuck her wet cunt without restraint. Confusion flashes over her face a second before her baby-blue eyes go wide, searching mine for my intention. I wonder what she sees or what she thinks I’m doing. I don’t really know myself.

Whatever she sees has her frantically grabbing at my arm holding her in place. Her mouth opens, but nothing besides a strangled gag comes out. The sound has me pumping faster, and the way her skin is turning a hue of purple has my balls tightening. Tears form in the corner of her eyes. Fascinated, I watch each one roll down the side of her cheek, wishing she was wearing makeup just so I could see it smear all over.

Of course, Charlotte doesn’t need to wear anything on her face. She has the kind of skin other women pray for.

Panicked, she starts fighting me in earnest, trying to push me off by bucking her hips and digging her sharp nails into my skin. Her fight only makes her pussy tighter and gets me more excited.

I’m holding her life in my hand. I could end it now, snuff it out and watch the life drain from her eyes just like I do with the poor guys who dare to step in the ring with me.

But this… this is different. Charlotte is an innocent woman who hasn’t done anything. She didn’t ask for this, nor does she deserve it. Maybe that’s the reason my usual numb self is so fucking excited. I’ve killed so many men that it barely scratches an itch anymore.

Smiling, I fuck her as hard as I can. Sweat drips down my forehead, and my own breath is labored from exhaustion. Charlotte is still scratching my arm like a wild cat, scratching me so deeply that I know it’s going to leave scars.

Her face is turning deep blue, and a small vein in her right eye has burst, filling the white part with an angry red. Grinding myself deep inside her until I finally blow. My vision blurs, and my whole body shakes from exhaustion.

Releasing her throat, I collapse on top of her just as she struggles to suck in a breath. She immediately throws herself into a coughing fit while shoving at me, trying to push me away.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” she creaks, barely getting out the words between her efforts to suck in air.

“Everything,” I whisper against her skin.

“Get off me, Lucas!” she yells in my ear, making my brain hurt.

I roll to the side and onto my back. Charlotte scrambles off the bed and gathers her stuff in a hurry. I watch her get dressed frantically as big tears roll down her beautiful face. Her cheeks have returned to their normal color, but red-bluish spots remain on her delicate neck.

“You came inside me. ” Her hoarse voice cracks at the end. “I told you I’m not on birth control.”

“Take some money from the dresser.” Money fixes everything.

“I’m not a prostitute.”

“You oughta be with that pussy.”

“You’re a fucking psychopath!” She leaves the room, slamming the door shut behind her before the only two words that come to my mind leave my mouth.

“I know.”

1

DELILAH

I pull back the curtain covering the window, peering out of it and into the parking lot. I’ve been hiding in this hotel room for days now, trying to build up the courage to leave town. I know I have to. It’s no longer a should scenario. There’s no other option.