His body caged mine, the heat of him searing through the chill of the wet tiles against my back. Water dripped from his hair onto my face, mingling with the steam still rising from our skin. That low growl still vibrated in the air between us, a primal sound that should have sparked fear. Instead, it lit a fuse deep in my core.
His hands caught my wrists, pinning them above my head.
"You're playing a dangerous game, sweetheart," he says, his voice a low, gravelly purr. "But I have to admit... I like it."
He used his second to trail a finger down my cheek, over my collarbone, to rest just above my breast. I hold my breath, heart pounding in my chest. His touch is electric, sending tingles through my skin.
Then—
He stopped. His fingers stilled just above my bare skin. I could feel the heat radiating from him, my body already responding, my breath coming in hard—just like he wanted me to.
He leaned in, his lips hovering just inches from my neck, his breath ghosting over my skin. I bit back a gasp, my body reacting to his proximity even as I tried to maintain my composure.
His finger trailed lower—agonizingly slow—down my sternum, through the dip of my navel, until it stopped just above the curve of my hip.
A beat.
Then his voice, rough as gravel and low enough to vibrate through bone:
"You're shaking."
Not an accusation. A revelation. Like he'd just uncovered a secret I didn't know I was keeping.
I hadn't realized I was. Not until he said it. Not until my body betrayed me.
I sucked in a breath—but didn't deny it. My thighs trembled faintly against his, the chill of the tiles forgotten beneath the heat coiling tight in my core. His smirk returned, darker now—not triumphant, but *fascinated*, like he'd stumbled upon something rare and untamed in the wild and wasn't sure whether to claim it or set it free.
"You said you wanted to forget," he murmured, lips brushing my ear as his knee pressed between mine again—firm this time—and I let out an unsteady whimper despite myself.
"I do." My voice cracked—a hairline fracture in steel.
"Then stop thinking." He released one wrist only to cup my jaw roughly with gloved fingers, forcing me to look at him under dripping lashes and steam-soaked air that clung heavy like guilt after pleasure.
"Look at me when you fall apart." A command wrapped in velvet danger.
My chest rose sharply with each breath as water streamed down our faces—the line between pain and bliss blurring fast—heated eyes holding mine like they could read every buried sin behind them—
And then—
His lips crashed into mine—hard and hungry, like he was trying to devour me. I gasped into his mouth, returning the kiss with equal fervor. The world narrowed to just the feel of his body against mine, the taste of his tongue, the heat between us.
I tried to wrench my hands free of his grip, wanting to touch him, to feel his skin against mine. But his fingers only tightened, holding me captive.
He went on──all teeth and tongue, no finesse. His hand tangled in my hair—firm, controlling—and he tilted my head back with a slow tug, exposing the curve of my neck. I gasped, arching into him, the heat between us almost unbearable.
He ran his tongue down my throat, nipping at the sensitive skin. I could feel his control slipping, and it should have scared me. But instead, it made my pulse jump.
His teeth scraped along my jawline, down my neck. I could feel the tension coiled in him, like a viper ready to strike. He was fighting to hold himself back, and the fight was unraveling him.
I loved it.
His hand slid down my side, fingers leaving a trail of fire in their wake. He nipped at my collarbone, then kissed the hollow of my throat—the lightest brush of his lips against my skin.
His touch was like a drug, and I was already addicted. I could feel every muscle in my body trembling, my mind clouded with need.
He moved down to my shoulder, biting the sensitive flesh there, making me whimper. His hand slipped down to my thigh, his grip tight as he pulled me against him.
I gasped as he lifted me up, my legs instinctively wrapping around him. He pinned me against the wall, his body pressing against mine, heat radiating between us.
He gripped my chin, tilting my head back to look at him. His eyes were dark, feral, like he was moments from losing control. My heart raced in anticipation.
He ran his tongue across my bottom lip, a slow, teasing gesture that set my body aflame. I wanted to beg for more, but I held my tongue. He chuckled, hearing the needy sound in my throat anyway.
"Patience, sweetheart," he murmured, his free hand trailing up my thigh, higher and higher. "We have all night."
I could feel him—hard and thick against my thigh—and the knowledge made me wetter, my core clenching with need.
He leaned in, his breath hot against my ear. "Say it," he demanded softly. "Tell me what you want."
I wanted to resist. To stay silent. But the truth was clawing its way out of me.
My nails dug into his shoulders. "You already know."
A low growl rumbled in his chest—then he slammed me harder against the wall and took my mouth again, kissing me like he wanted to erase every thought from my mind except him. His tongue thrust deep into my mouth, rough and insistent—the kind of kiss that felt like a claim.
Then he broke away just enough to snarl two words, raw and dark:
"I'm going to ruin you now."
And just like that—he was everywhere at once.
His mouth devoured mine again—tongue fucking hard into it as if punishing me for wanting him—while one hand wrenched a fistful of hair at the back of my skull, holding me in place. I'm lost in the kiss, my body responding to his, wanting more even as I fight for breath.
His hand yanked harder. My scalp burned. He dragged me down the slick tiles — still locked in that brutal kiss. Water pooled beneath us, steam swallowing our silhouettes like the room itself was holding its breath.
He never let go of control—not for a second—as he bit across jawline toward neck—took tender flesh between teeth and marked with a wet growl vibrating through bone—as then pulled back only long enough—with swollen lips—to watch what he'd done take effect on me: pupils blown wide? Breathing shattered?
Good.
Then back in — crushing mouths together anew as if nothing mattered but consuming every sound I refused to release… every inch…
Every last damn bit… was his tonight.