PrideandSurrender by Julia Devlin Read Free Book Online Page B

and people. The waves lapping along
the sand faded into the background and it was just us.
    His eyes darkened, and a subtle alertness tensed his
muscles. Full lips falling open, as if to say something. Amazed, I watched the
intake of his breath expand his chest before he pressed his mouth closed.
    I do this to him. Me. I put the desire and hunger in
every line of his face.
    I gave up. Right then and there in the middle of Oak Street
beach, I touched him. Reached for him. One finger slid over the line of his
strong jaw, I marveled as he tensed under my touch. I traced spot under his
ear, smoothed over the cords of his neck, skimmed over his Adam’s apple, into
the hollow of his throat. His mouth beckoned, and I ran the pad of my thumb
over the curve of his lower lip. Smooth and slightly damp, the brush of skin
acted like an electric shock that rocketed up my arm in an explosion of
tingles.
    Tension radiated off him. I loved the coil of his muscles,
the pull and bunch under my fingertips. Reveled in the way he held himself in
check as he let me explore.
    Dominance was part of his nature and I knew how hard it was
for him not to take over. It made me want him all the more. Moreover, it made
me want to feel that passion unleashed and unrestrained.
    I dipped my head so our mouths were only a fraction of an
inch apart, but instead of kissing him, I licked. Ran my tongue over his bottom
lip. Stroking. Teasing. Pleasure and desire spiraled through me as his fingers
dug into my thighs, but he remained absolutely still and let me have my way.
    I nipped. My teeth sinking into the plump flesh as I ran my
palms over his chest, loving the way he flexed like a panther ready to pounce.
Unable to help myself any longer, I brushed my mouth over his and whispered, “I
want something.”
    “Anything,” he said in a hoarse voice.
    I lifted my head and met his gaze, wanting him to understand
this wasn’t a joke. “I want what you described from your conference room
fantasy.”
    The late-afternoon sun poured over his hair so it gleamed
blue-black and his eyes flashed. “Tell me.”
    “Fuck me.” I brushed my lips against his. “Possess me. Fill
me up.”
    Dark lashes closed as he breathed in deep, and moments
stretched between us. When he looked at me again, my stomach clenched. The
predator was out, unleashed, ready to play. And I wanted him more than I wanted
air.
    Long fingers gripped my chin. “If I do, you’ll be mine. And
I’ll never let you run again.”
    It was exactly what I wanted, what I needed—not to be
allowed to run, but I didn’t say any of this. Instead, I met his gaze and said
simply, “I know.”

Chapter Six
     
    Neither of us spoke. I stared out the window of the cab, my
fingers pressed to my lips, watching the endless parade of buildings and
people. A car honked in the distance accompanied by the screech of tires
against asphalt. The sounds of the city a low buzz in my ears. All the while,
my concentration was fixated on the press of Christos’ solid frame against
mine, the heat of his body warming my skin, the feel of his attention focused
on me.
    His large palm came to rest on my bare leg and I about
jumped out of my skin at the contact. He squeezed, shifting closer, his fingers
brushing the inside of my knee. He stroked. Toyed. Dallied in a spot I’d never
thought was sensitive until every brush of his fingers against my skin made my
cunt clench. My nipples beaded so tight, the sensation almost painful it was so
keen.
    I felt like Michelle Pfeiffer in The Age of Innocence ,
in the back of that carriage as Daniel Day-Lewis slowly unbuttoned the catch of
her white glove and stroked over the pulse in her wrist.
    One innocent touch capable of creating so much havoc.
    I was sure Christos could hear the pounding of my heart,
which beat so hard and so fast, I could feel it between my legs. Pulsing and
throbbing for attention. Need so acute I didn’t know how to handle it strummed
through me.
    It was pure