it.
I trace her collar bone, wishing it was my mouth on her. I won’t be satisfied until I’ve tasted every inch of her skin. My arm circles her, drawing her against me until she can feel the promise of my cock against her soft belly. I know she’ll love it when I fuck her. I know she won’t be able to get enough.
But I won’t be able to either. “You should go.”
She sways as I let her go. “I probably should.”
Clara studies me for a moment like I’m a puzzle she can’t piece together. I want to take her hands and guide them to all my parts. I want her to put me back together. I want to be the man she hopes to see now.
But that’s impossible. “You asked if I would hurt you, Clara. I can’t lie and say that I won’t. I want nothing more than to strip you bare and pin you to that wall. Hold you there until you beg for my cock, and when I finally give it to you, you’ll beg me never to stop.”
Despite my intentions, I step toward her. I’m trying to give her a choice, but even I don’t know what it is. I’m warning her away. I’m asking her to stay. I tell myself that I don’t know what I want, but it’s a lie.
I don’t want Clara to walk out that door.
I run a hand through my hair, shaking the thought from my head. It’s unfair to do this to her—to drag her into my life when I can’t be what she needs. “But if I do that, it will only ruin you.”
“This isn’t an old novel,” she retorts, but I hear the way her words break like I’m breaking her. “I’m not a hapless virgin.”
I don’t think. I need her to see that I want her, but that I’m giving her up because… I grab her and pull her against me. “I’ve thought about your lips all day. I’ve pictured you on your knees with that pretty little mouth wrapped around my cock, sucking me off. If I had you now, I would want more. Once wouldn’t be enough. But enough is something a man like me can never have.”
“Because I’m not royalty?” she asks, her lashes fluttering like I’ve overwhelmed her with my mood swings. The feeling is mutual.
“I think they’d be more pissed that you’re American, but really no one cares about that,” I say darkly. I try to smile, but it can’t ease the situation I’ve created. How had I expected this to end? “Because nothing beautiful can survive around me. Do you understand that? They’ll destroy you, and if they don’t, eventually I will.”
“Maybe I can take care of myself.” She twists in my grip, but I hold her. I’m not ready to let her go. Not yet.
“Maybe you can,” I admit. “But don’t tempt me into risking it. I can’t be held responsible.”
I drop my hold on her, hoping she’ll leave before I change my mind. Instead, her hand shoots out, and she grabs my shirt. The growl I’ve been holding back escapes as our lips meet, and I feel Clara shiver. Her body feels so fucking amazing in my arms. I want to explore it, and I slip a tongue into her mouth in invitation. When she accepts, I slide my hands down and lift her off her feet. I thrust my tongue into her mouth, giving her a preview of what’s to come. She has no idea all the places I plan to explore. She’s strong, but there’s a natural submissiveness to her. I feel it in how her legs wrap around my waist and how her body molds to mine like she can fit herself into my life. I want it to be true. If only so I could take her now. Clara’s hips rock against me, and I know she wants release. Her movements are urgent, as raw and vulnerable as she is. Even as I continue to taste her mouth, I know the truth.
She may not be a virgin, but she might as well be. She’s never been fucked by a man like me. She has no idea what to expect, and as much as I want to show her exactly how good it feels to be owned, she might not be ready. My hand reaches for her ponytail, and I pull until her mouth breaks free of mine.
“This is your last chance,” I warn. I can