Slowly turning, I peered at the dark figure who watched me from the shadows. Ryder’s golden gaze glowed with an intensity that lit a fire within my core. Slowly, he stepped from the darkness, smirking wickedly while removing his shirt over his head. Sinewy muscles rippled as he tossed the garment onto the ground.
Never taking his eyes from mine, he held me paralyzed in their amber depths, lost within the galaxies of their glittering stars. The brands on his body pulsed, slithering over his skin as he lowered his hands, unfastened the button of his pants, and stepped out of them.
I inhaled his earthy scent of rich sandalwood paired with the aroma of masculinity that was uniquely Ryder, making my core clench with an aching need. I studied the naked perfection of the male who slowly walked into the water, stalking me.
He was a lethal predator in this moment, and once again, I knew I was the prey he hunted. I was lost in the intense stare that held me prisoner, breathlessly waiting for him to devour me. He growled low in his throat the instant my sanity returned, and I stepped back.
“If you run from me, I will show you why that isn’t a good idea.”
“You don’t scare me.”
“Don’t I?” he chuckled darkly. “I can smell your fear and excitement, little one.” His features were sharper than usual, his body pulsing with a power that sent a raw current kissing along my heated core, stroking it to a burning desire. “I can smell your delicate flesh aching for me to fill it. Is that naughty pussy ready to be destroyed?” His head tilted to one side, illuminating his large, black pupils, leaving only a galaxy of gold to peek through smoldering depths. “You’re a very wicked girl. Did you dress up like that to get my attention? I’m paying attention now,” he hissed. I turned around, intending to run, only for him to sift and appear in front of me, blocking my retreat.
He captured me, sending power rushing over me as his hand fisted through my hair, yanking my head back as his mouth crushed against my lips. Ryder demanded entrance, pushing his tongue past my lips to dominate mine. A moan escaped my mouth, swallowed by his own as he picked my body up with his free hand, holding me against him.
One minute we were standing beneath the stars, the next, I was slammed onto a bed. I sat up in my wet bathing suit, peering around the room. Searching for Ryder, I cried out as he grabbed my arms, yanking my wrists into cuffs that were connected to chains. Clicking them into place, he vanished again. Lifting a brow, I stared at my arm that was stretched and fastened to the bedframe.
“I’m still mad at you!” I snapped crossly, and then yelped as my ankle was captured and secured too, before he vanished once more. “Ryder!” I demanded hoarsely, then screamed as I stared down at my naked breasts, feeling them burn as the remainder of my swimsuit disappeared. “You didn’t schedule this!” Deep, dark guttural laughter sounded from beside the bed. I glared up at Ryder and swallowed hard when I found him stroking his massive cock inches away from my mouth as he smiled darkly. Absently, I wet my lips, holding his burning glare.
“The day I schedule destroying your cunt is the day I die. Besides, I doubt Ciara actually wants to put that description on your calendar, and I assure you, those are the words I would use. If you think I wouldn’t tell her to mark the king down for an afternoon of destroying his pretty queen’s cunt, you’re wrong. I would, and I’d love hearing her tell you and your court what was on your schedule for that day.
“Now, if you ever wear a dress like that again outside of this bedroom, I won’t be held responsible when I bend your ass over and fuck you in front of everyone. Your little act of defiance made my dick hard. Very fucking hard, and it hasn’t gone down since the moment you entered that