Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 65189 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65189 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
My body’s reaction to this sudden descent into coarseness and brutality took me utterly by surprise. I felt my knees literally wobble as between my legs I clenched so hard that a whimper escaped my lips. My jaw went slack and I stared at Lucas, my eyes undoubtedly bulging with the intensity of my attempt to disbelieve what he had just said.
I remembered with a mounting blush that I had felt myself respond in something like this fashion to Martin’s less skillful use of degradation. Something like this: at the same time, nothing like this, because for a moment I really thought I would swoon and sink to the floor.
Lucas’ eyes narrowed as he watched the emotions play across my face. For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of concern in those icy blue depths. But then his expression hardened once more, and he stepped toward me with predatory grace.
“You’re trembling, ma chère,” he murmured, his voice low and dangerous. “Are you afraid? Or simply overwhelmed by the realization of what you’ve become?”
I opened my mouth to reply, but no words came out. My mind reeled, unable to process the rapid shifts in his demeanor. Just moments ago, we had been engaged in stimulating conversation about medieval history. Now Lucas stood before me, radiating dominance and raw sexuality.
He moved closer still, backing me up against the wall. I could feel the heat of his body, smell the intoxicating blend of his cologne and something uniquely male. My breath came in short, ragged gasps as I tilted my head back to meet his gaze.
“You signed yourself over to me, Alice,” Lucas growled, his breath hot against my ear. “Your body, your pleasure—they belong to me now. And I intend to claim what’s mine.”
Before I could react, Lucas’ strong arms encircled me. One hand tangled in my hair, gripping tightly as he pulled my head back. The other pressed against the small of my back, crushing me against his muscular chest.
My eyes widened in shock as Lucas’ lips crashed down on mine. Lucas’ kiss was nothing like I had ever experienced before. It was demanding, possessive, almost brutal in its intensity. His lips moved against mine with fierce determination, his tongue forcing its way into my mouth. I gasped, overwhelmed by the onslaught of sensation.
Part of me wanted to resist, to push him away and assert some semblance of control. But a deeper, primal part of me responded eagerly to his dominance. My body betrayed me, melting against him as a soft moan escaped my throat.
Lucas growled in approval, the vibration rumbling through his chest. His hand slid from my back to my bottom, gripping roughly. I jumped at the sudden contact, acutely aware of how tender I still was from Martin’s cruel spanking.
“Mine,” Lucas murmured against my lips. “All mine to play with, to punish, to pleasure.”
His words sent a shiver down my spine. I should have been outraged, should have protested this possessive claim. Instead, I felt a rush of heat between my legs, my body responding traitorously to his dominant assertion.
Lucas’ hand moved from my hair to cup my breast through the thin fabric of my dress. I arched into his touch instinctively, desperate for more. He chuckled darkly, clearly pleased by my eager response.
“Such a needy little slut,” he purred. “So desperate for my touch already. I’m going to enjoy training you, Alice.”
Training. The word had a dangerous potency from Lucas’ lips. A world famous athlete… the best soccer player in the world, I had literally, actually heard him called. A man who understood training: its demands, its discomforts… the punishment of it.
Lucas’ hand moved to grip my chin firmly, forcing me to meet his intense gaze. “You’re going to learn to obey me in all things, Alice,” he said, his voice low and commanding. “I’ll punish you when you’re naughty, and reward you when you please me.”
As he spoke, his other hand traced down my body, sending shivers through me. Despite my best efforts to resist, I felt myself responding even further to his touch, my breath quickening.
“But make no mistake,” Lucas continued, his fingers ghosting over the curve of my hip, “you belong to me now. Every inch of this delectable body is mine to do with as I please.”
I demanded of myself the outrage I should have felt. I told my arms to push him away and order him to leave—despite my growing, clawing anxiety that it wouldn’t have any effect at all. Something in his tone, though, in the way he held me, made me hesitate. There was a possessiveness in his touch, yes, but also a real, though strange tenderness. His hand on my chin was firm but not cruel, his fingers on my hip more caressing than groping.
Lucas leaned in close, his lips brushing my ear as he whispered, “I’m going to take such good care of you, ma petite. You’ll want for nothing.”