Page 56 of Sins and Virtue

“When I ask, you speak, kotyonok. Understood?”

Her pulse spiked beneath my fingertips.

The unaware control created by a single touch made the air burn. Our skin chased the madness. A fine line between forbidden pleasure and promised pain. Heaven and hell.

She moved, attempting to escape, but my grip hardened. Her chin lifted, steel fire sparked in her eyes, never backing down from my warning as she dug her nails into my stomach, drawing some blood from the pores.

“Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t try to control me, or I’ll slit your throat next time.”

“A little kitten like you? Please.” A dark chuckle slipped through my lips. “Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Know your place.”

“And you know yours. An eye for an eye, Konstantin, and I’ll take your fucking heart if I have to.” She snarled, eyes reddened with a sublayer of rage.

The cavity in my chest lurched.

Fuck. How can I resist her when she edges me on like this? Let her take me and make me hers.

This is going too far.

Not far enough.

My thumb inches upward, running over her bottom lip. Tempting fate. “Never forget your life is mine too. You can run, but you will never escape me. Heaven or hell will be too close to separate us.”

Second lingered like a cruel sentence; miraculously and strangely, she waved the white flag. “Okay.” She gritted forcibly.

And just in case she got any ideas, I began, “And if you don’t keep your promise—“

“What will you do?” Her velvety voice incited, sending a hot surge through my groin.

“Make you lose your mind.”

“Promise?”

Damn, her limits had no boundaries. She was unwilling to bend, and that made her even more perfect somehow.

Her madness matched my insanity.

The wind to my flames.

And we would burn the world if we didn’t stop.

Chapter 9

Konstantin

Leaving her was a struggle. If I didn’t go the moment after she backtalked me, neither of us would be in clothes or able to separate from one another.

A tremble shook throughout my hand.

No. No. It can’t happen.

Control. I need control.

Why? Why are you holding back?