The more I see her, the more I want her.


    And that continues to be a problem.


    She lowers herself onto the sofa beside me, keeping a safe distance. I almostugh. She thinks she’ll take off her clothes and fuck strangers every weekend, but she’s afraid to sit next to me?


    I slide closer, my leg brushing hers. When my fingers trace along her thigh, she inhales sharply, a subtle tremor rippling through her. Amused, I watch my hand nearly swallow her whole.


    “You’re so small,” I mostly say to myself.


    She scoffs. “No, I’m average. You’re just a big guy. You’d probably break me.”


    A faint blush creeps up her face, like she didn’t mean to say that out loud. My chucklees easily. With my other hand, I drag my knuckles down her soft cheek, and when her eyes meet mine, awareness overtakes me.


    “Breaking you is something I’ve thought about on repeat since the moment I met you.”


    She sucks in a sharp breath, her nipples pebbling beneath that tiny red dress I want to rip into shreds and use to tie her to my bed.


    There’s so much I want to do to her. But if I let her work here and she touches anyone else, I’ll get a little trigger-happy. That wouldn’t be good for business.


    Maybe I need a real test. To really see how much I can handle.


    There’s a knock on my door, and I already know from the sound that it’s my personal assistant.


    “Come in.”


    Tanya steps inside, holding a package. Her eyes flick to Tessa and widen slightly, her face flushing. “This just came for you, sir.”


    “Thanks.”


    She nods, sneaking another nce at me. Probably still hoping I’ll see her as more than the help. That won’t happen.


    When the door clicks shut, Tessa lets out a dryugh. “You fucked her.”


    Smirking, I hold her gaze. “Didn’t realize I needed your approval over who I can fuck.”


    “You don’t. But it seems to be part of your MO. Fucking your employees.”


    “You think you know me, don’t you?”


    “I do.” She arches a brow, her tits practically begging for my hands.


    “You’d be wrong, Ms. Monroe. I’ve never slept with her, and as far as you, we definitely haven’t fucked. I’d remember that, believe me, and so would you.” I slide my finger up the inside of her thigh, and goose bumps rise in my wake, like her body already knows who it belongs to. “That can change, though. Just say the word.”


    “I have no desire to fuck you. I just want a job.” But there’s something in her tone that makes me believe she’s just lying to herself.


    Whatever this is between us, she feels it too. She just prefers denial.


    My touch glides up to where she’s warm, wet, and tastes like heaven. But she won’t give in easily. No, she wants to be chased. To fight it. Giving in would mean she’s lost. I get it.


    Good thing I’m an expert at games.


    I pull out my phone and fire off a text, then slip it back into my pocket. If I can handle this, she can have the job. If not, we’ll have to figure something else out, because one thing is certain: this woman is going to be a permanent fixture in my life, however I decide to have her.


    “Do you have a boyfriend? Husband?”


    Because they’re already dead.


    She tosses out a dryugh. “If I did, why would I be here?”


    I grin. “You’d be surprised at what kind of people work at my club.”


    She brushes a loose strand of hair from her face, and I have every urge to do it for her. Any excuse to touch her again.


    My palm returns to her thigh as our eyes collide. The fire flickering between us res brighter, and if I’m not careful, she’ll be the one to burn me alive.


    A sharp knock at the door has her turning toward the sound.


    Right on time.


    Veronika struts in, and as soon as she sees Tessa, she grins, giving me a knowing look.


    I hate it when this woman is right. She gloats like the best of them.


    “Boss. You rang?”


    “This is Tessa. She wants to work at the club. I want you to interview her.”


    Veronikaughs, shutting the door as Tessa curiously looks between us.


    This lioness doesn’t realize the lion’s den she’s stepped into. But she’ll learn. Quickly. Then we’ll see if her bite is as sharp as she wants me to believe.


    “An interview?” Tessa asks.


    Veronika smirks. “Not the kind you’re thinking.”


    I crack my knuckles, already hating this. “Get to it. I have a business meeting in an hour.”


    “You probably should’ve told her what to expect before I got here.”


    Tessa frowns, while irritation creeps up my spine. I don’t want to do this, but I need to prove I can handle it. That her fucking someone else won’t drive me to madness.


    Because if it does, I’m in trouble.


    I level her with a look. “Stand up.”


    Her eyes widen at my tone, but she submits, rising to her feet. Veronika stands on one side of her while I’m on the other.


    “Take off your clothes, Tessa.”


    Her features tighten, but she doesn’t hesitate. Fingers hooking into the straps, she drags them down. If I had my hand around her throat, I’d feel her pulse hammering.


    My cock strains against my pants, desperate to feel her tight pink cunt around it.


    This is a damn mistake. And I don’t make mistakes.


    Her dress drags down her body, and the more I see of her, the more my muscles fill with raging need.


    When she’s only in her ck thong, I motion for her to lose that too.


    Her brow curves. Eyes on me, she pushes it down, stepping out of it. Her in nothing but a pair of heels is the most beautiful sight. And far too dangerous.


    Veronika steps forward, tilting Tessa’s chin up, their eyes locking as she brushes her thumb across Tessa’s mouth.


    My blood boils at that touch alone. At the hunger gleaming in Veronika’s eyes.


    “She’s pretty. I can see why…” She lets the thought drift, knowing better than to finish it.


    I drop onto the adjacent sofa, watching. A shiver ripples through Tessa, her gaze darting to me as Veronika’s hand trails lower, down her sternum, slipping between her thighs with a single finger.


    Na khuy. I won’t be able to handle this. It’s already too much.


    Tessa moans—soft, breathy, her fiery gaze mming onto mine like she’s daring me to react.


    I mutter a curse. I can’t just sit here and do nothing. But I can’t touch her. Can’t throw Veronika out either. That’s going to make me appear weak. I have to finish this.


    “Sit,” she tells Tessa, pushing her down on the sofa as she drops to her knees. “I’ve been wondering what your pussy tastes like since I walked in.”


    She pulls her leg up over her shoulder and spreads her open, azy fingertip feathering down Tessa’s glistening core.


    But Tessa doesn’t look at her. She only continues to stare at me. She wants my attention. My hunger. My insatiable need. She thrives in it, and I can’t seem to resist.


    My muscles coil, indignation and lust warring inside me. No one else should be touching her, making her feel good. Only me.


    She’s mine!


    When Veronika’s mouth drops to that gorgeous cunt and she takes her first taste, I grip the edge of the sofa, practically tearing through the leather as I watch them together.


    Everything inside me fractures, splinters into something feral, while on the outside, I’m still,posed, the perfect picture of control.


    It should be me between her thighs. My mouth, my tongue, making her beg. Not anyone else. The thought of her giving that to someone else makes my vision blur. Makes me want to break something.


    Or someone.


    Tessa gasps, back arching like a damn offering as Veronika’s tongue flicks and her fingers push deeper. Every sound she makes drives another nail into my restraint.


    I can’t fucking do this. Nu blyat, I’m losing it. What the hell is wrong with me?


    I’ve watched women break before, but this? She’s breaking me.


    “Oh God, yes.” Her voicees out rough, her fingers buried in Veronika’s hair, guiding her with slow, insistent pressure.


    Tessa’s lips wind, eyes zed with lust, and aimed right at me.


    She’s provoking me. Taunting me. ying with fire. And she knows it.


    I will punish you for doing this to me. I’ll make sure you never even think about anyone else’s mouth but mine.


    “I’m gonnae…” she whimpers, fingers wing into the leather, body tensing like she’s seconds from unraveling.


    No. She won’t.


    “Stop. Now.” Themand rips from my throat, a guttural growl, raw and untamed, like something caged too long finally snapping its chain.


    Veronika freezes, head turning slowly to nce at me over her shoulder, that smug little smile ying on her lips.


    She knows. She fucking knows.


    I was afraid of this. Terrified of it. If I can’t stomach watching her fall apart for a woman, what the fuck would I do if it was a man?


    I’d kill him. Right there. Without hesitation.


    “Get. Out.” The air in the room grows thick with the fury I can no longer contain.


    Veronika rises, smooth and slow, like she’s proud of the monster she just helped wake up. But I don’t care. There’s only one thought crashing through my mind now.


    Tessa belongs to me. And I won’t let anyone else touch her again.


    Ever.


    “Aye, aye, Captain,” Veronika mutters with a grin, her eyes dropping to the bulge in my pants before she wipes her mouth with slow, smug satisfaction.


    But I don’t even see her anymore. My focus is locked on Tessa—panting, flushed, legs squeezed tight like she can shut me out after letting someone else between them.


    Like hell she will.


    The door clicks shut, and I move, forcing her legs apart, hands gripping her knees and spreading her open, baring that soaked cunt she tried to deny me. Her skin’s flushed, lips parted, body still shaky from what she didn’t get to finish. The ssy look in her eyes nearly undoes me.


    “What are you gonna do to me?” she whispers, her chest rising like she can’t pull in enough air.


    A cruel smile crawls over my lips. “Whatever the fuck I want.”


    And she knows I mean it. Every depraved, filthy, unholy word.


    I drop to my knees on the sofa, caging her in. One hand wraps around her throat, just enough for her to feel it, to wear the promise of who she belongs to. My other hand trails along the inside of her thigh, skimming just past where she aches the most.


    “If we do this…” she roughs out. “You can’t kiss me.”


    Rage snakes through my veins.


    “That’s a pity.” I grab her ankle and lift it, dragging my mouth over the delicate bone before pressing a kiss to her skin. “May I kiss you here?”


    My lips climb higher, up the silk of her thigh like a man scaling heaven just to defile it.


    “Or here?” My mouth drops to the spot where her hip meets the top of her thigh.


    She shivers, and I grin against her flesh.


    She’s already mine. She just hasn’t epted it yet.


    “Or would you like it better if I kissed you here?” Roughly, I drag her to the edge of the sofa, locking eyes with her as I slide a finger into her.


    Her body bows, craving more.


    I’m dying for her. Want to bury my tongue inside her.


    “Answer me. Tell me what you want.”


    Her fingers sink into my hair, pushing me between those thighs, her expression filled with depraved hunger. “Yes, yes, kiss me there.”


    With a growl, I bury my mouth between her legs.


    Finally.


    The taste of her hits me like violence. Sweet and sinful. Like she was made for this. Made for me. Her moan rips out sharp and raw, hips jolting, hands scrambling for something to hold as she ws into the leather.


    “Oh God…”


    “You like that?” My tongue flicks her clit, slow at first, then firmer, circling it while I watch her fall apart.


    She nods, lips parted, panting, but that’s not enough.


    “Words, malyshka,” I growl against her. “I want to hear it. Tell me how much you love my tongue inside you. Say it like you mean it.”


    Because now that I’ve tasted her, there’s no going back.


    I don’t have to love her to keep her. But Tessa is mine. It’s already been decided. There’ll be no one else. Not for her. Not for me.


    And if anyone tries to touch her? I’ll tear them apart piece by piece and feed them every fucking bite.


    “Shit, yes, okay. Yes, I love it…” she gasps, the confession punching through my chest like a bullet I’d dly take again and again.


    As her reward, I drag her clit into my mouth and devour her—sucking, teasing, flicking with just enough pressure before I slide my tongue into her tight, dripping hole. She tastes like sin and surrender. Like a drug I never wanted a taste of, but now that I’ve had it, I’m addicted.


    “You like it better than her mouth?” Every wrecked word is coiled with frustration, with hunger. “Because you sure looked like you were enjoying it.”


    She writhes beneath me, panting, lost in it. “I was pretending it was you…”


    Ona menya ubivayet. She’s killing me.


    Killing everyst piece of logic I have left.


    My jaw clenches so tight, it’s a miracle I don’t crack bone. This is madness. Full, unfiltered insanity, and I never want it to end.


    I feed two fingers inside her, and she mps around me like her body already epts that I own it. My mouth stays on her, tongue flicking, tasting, possessing.


    When she finally gives in to her pleasure, her body arches, spasming, crying out like she’s being torn apart in the most beautiful way.


    “That’s it,” I growl. “Squirt for me, katyonak. Like the perfect whore I made you.”


    The ferocity in her eyes only makes my cock throb harder, like she hates that she’s letting me do this.


    Good. Let her rage. Let her fight it. She’ll stille for me.


    I m a third finger inside her, rougher now, and watch her unravel again—face flushed, lips parted, breathing in shallow, panicked gasps. She tries to push me away, nails digging, desperate.


    “I can’t…”


    “Yes, you can. You’ll take every goddamn thing I give you and beg for more.”


    I thrust deeper, harder. The wet, obscene sound of her pussy echoes around us, and it only feeds the beast in me. The one that wants to ruin her, brand her, fucking keep her.


    She’s beautiful like this, at my every mercy, bending to my will.


    Our eyes lock when she looks up at me, and it happens. Something breaks inside me.


    Not rage. Not lust. Something worse. Something far too possessive and primal and dangerous.


    She’s not just a fuck. Not just a toy. This feels like more.


    And I don’t know what that means except one thing: I will never let her go.


    As I drive into her this time, her walls tighten around me, her body quivering, falling apart in waves. I take it all in, savoring the sight of her submitting to her pleasure. A man could really get used to this.


    But none of it solves the problem at hand. She needs a job. And there’s no way in hell I’ll let her work at the club.


    Though I do have something else in mind…


    When her body rxes, I slip my fingers from her soaked cunt and push them into her mouth. She sucks them clean.


    “Good girl. So obedient.”


    Her heavy-lidded eyes follow me as I stand, cracking my knuckles and releasing a slow breath.


    “You may get dressed now.”


    I gather her clothes, handing them to her, and she rushes to slip on her panties, too eager to cover what I should’ve kept mine a little longer. Should’ve made her sit there, soaked and shivering, while I asked the questions that reveal a glimpse into who she is.


    As she lifts her arms to slide the dress over her head, I catch something that causes my pulse to spike. Just a flicker beneath each arm, but it’s undeniable.


    My jaw tightens, but I don’t say a word. Not yet.


    Something in me stills, sharpening into a weapon. Because I know what I just saw. And there’s only one reason marks like that show up in ces people don’t expect others to see.


    Someone hurt her. Or she hurt herself.


    And when I find out why or who…they won’t touch her again. They won’t touch anything again.


    She doesn’t know it yet, but whatever scars she’s hiding…they belong to me now.