Chapter 53

FREYA

“I want sex, and I want it today.”

He raised a surprised eyebrow. His expression clearly indicated he hadn't expected such bluntness. I hadn't either, but I did it. Refusal would be humiliating—unbearable, even. So I didn't wait for him to speak. "I swear to God, either you fuck me right now, or I'll find someone who will."

The words were barely out before I knew I'd messed up. I'd poked the beast. The stiffening of his facial muscles confirmed it. He pushed off the doorframe, rising to his full height.

"Will you now?" Aiden's eyes gleamed dangerously. His chillingly calm words, laced with threat, sent a shiver down my spine.

"Yes." I jutted my chin out, feigning confidence I no longer felt. Without a word, he closed the door, confining us to his room. A thrill—a mixture of exhilaration and nervousness—courssed through me.

"Strip." I blinked at his rough command. As if on autopilot, my hands unzipped my dress.

"Make it slow," he barked, halting my movement. My eyes narrowed before I schooled my expression. He wanted a show. I would give him one.

With slow, sensual movements, I lowered my dress, letting it pool around my stilettos. I stepped out of it. He cocked his head, his gaze lingering on my lacy underwear before returning to my face.

"All of it."

I obeyed. My bra came off, and as I slid down my panties, I angled myself to give him a clear view. The hiss he let out as I bent to remove them gave me immense satisfaction.

However, once I stood, some of my confidence evaporated. I didn't have body image issues, but the intensity of Aiden's gaze made me insecure, despite the distance between us. He'd seen it all before, but that knowledge didn't help. Back then, I was drunk and relaxed. This time? Completely sober, my senses heightened.

I crossed my arms, partially covering my breasts. "Well?" I waited for him to do something—anything—besides stand there with that unnerving stare.

He didn't dignify me with a reply. Instead, he walked to the nearest nightstand and dropped his silver cufflinks. He loosened his tie, deliberately slowly. He was enjoying this, making me squirm in anticipation.

With slow, deliberate steps, he closed the distance and stood before me.

"Drop your hands."

Aiden's voice was gentle, a stark contrast to the brutal intent in his eyes. I lowered my hands, submitting to his scrutiny. I was stark naked, save for my heels, while he was impeccably dressed. It was a power move, and I found myself incredibly turned on by it.

His heated gaze traveled over me before settling on my face. His fingers brushed my nipple before pinching and twisting it. I gasped in pain.

"You'll find a man to fuck you, huh?" His eyes gleamed with a promise of terrible destruction. My self-preservation instincts must have been on vacation, because I decided to further test his self-control.

The words were barely out when his hand closed around my throat.

"Wrong answer, sweetheart," he growled, sending a shiver down my spine. He lowered his head until his nose touched my cheek. "Wrong fucking answer," he breathed close to my ear. "And I might have to teach you a lesson." The anxious excitement I felt was unhealthy. "Sweetheart?" His hand moved lower, his finger tracing my slit. "Fuck, you're already"

Chapter 34

I replied with a needy moan as he inserted a finger. The slow, torturous rhythm was almost unbearable. I grabbed his wrist, my other hand pressing against his chest, feeling the hard muscles beneath my palm.

He added another finger, stretching me. He increased the pace, his thumb rubbing my clit. My head buzzed with sensation. The hand that had been around my throat now held my neck—the only thing preventing me from collapsing into a shaking heap.

"Fuck, yes, yes, yes!" I whispered, nearing climax, when he abruptly withdrew his hand. I groaned in frustration, but lust glazed my eyes as I watched him place his fingers in his mouth and suck them clean.

Aiden's hand returned to my throat as he stared at me. He crushed his lips to mine in a brutal, punishing kiss, and I felt my pussy clench involuntarily. Normally, his kisses were passionate; today, they were a lesson. His teeth grazed my lower lip, drawing blood. I hissed in pain.

He pulled back, stared at me intently, then walked me backward until my knees hit the bed. He pushed me down.

I watched as he shed his clothes, leaving him deliciously naked. I didn't bother hiding my unabashed appraisal.

There was an unhinged look in his eyes. "In a few minutes, you are about to learn not to mention fucking other men to me."