I’m so fucking angry! But not at Lyra. I’m pissed at myself for caring. For giving a shit about what she thinks of me. Why should it matter? Damned if I know. Until, I look down and see her hands fisted in my shirt and feel her tears branded upon my skin. And now I have my answer. She . . Makes . .Me . .Feel. Something, I haven’t been able to do for quite sometime now. In a matter of months, this woman has melted away my fortitude and the wall of ice I’ve twisted around my heart–the one that compelled me to be a cold, heartless bastard. I just pray she doesn’t leave me drowning in the aftermath. Because I will never live through that kind of pain. Ever again . . .

When Ryker lifts his arms over his shoulders to pull off his shirt, it’s my turn to admire the view. The lines and cut of his body are pure perfection. I’m fascinated when his nimble fingers quickly unbutton and unzip his jeans without missing a beat. And when he stands up only long enough to kick them off, I already miss the weight of him surrounding me. Subconciously, I hear my mother’s voice, ‘the heart wants what the heart wants.’ And without a doubt, mine wants all of him. The good, the bad and everything in between. I am so far gone, I don’t know if I’ll ever be whole again.

When I’ve finally come down from my long awaited orgasmic bliss, I’m acutely aware of her back snuggling against my chest. This is not acceptable! And when her fingers hesitantly thread through mine, I know I’ve overstayed my welcome. Without a moments pause, I extricate myself from her and the situation. But before I leave, I bend down to pick up her shirt so I can place it between her glistening thighs. Then I kneel down to whisper, “Don’t fall for me, precious. I will destroy you . . .”

He startles me when his warm breath skims along my heated cheeks as he whispers, “What do you find so amusing, precious?” when his eyes lock on mine, I’m breathless. And when his thumb sweeps across my bottom lip, forcing me to let it go, I tremble. Ryker has to know how addicted I’ve become to his touch and he’s using it against me. His eyes are as black as coal as they roam over every inch of me. I expect him to bend me over the table and have his way with me, any minute now . . .

Hesitantly, she begins to undress and in a matter of seconds she’s stripped bare. And my chest ache’s at the sight of her. What the hell is happening to me? Lyra is the one who insisted on playing the game, but I have a gut feeling, I will be the one to lose. “In my haste, I forgot to tell you one very important stipulation. Do not. I repeat, do not call me Ry under any circumstances, precious. You may scream out Ryker, God or even Gage for all I care, but not that nickname.” One lone tear tumbles down her cheek as I lay her down on my bed…

I feel Ryker, long before I can see him. He has such a commanding presence that when he enters a room, my body senses him long before my mind acknowledges him. I take a shuddering breath when his hand gently squeezes my shoulder. “What’s wrong, Lyra?”

Is he effing kidding me?…

Lyra squeals as I suddenly bolt out of the chair, throw her over my shoulder and carry her up the stairs. My head is pounding to the same rythmn of my heart as I toss her on the bed. And when she scrambles to get away, I grab her by the ankles, pulling her close to the edge. When her frightened eyes lock on mine, I’m reminded of the saying, a-deer-in-the-headlights. Because Lyra is surrendering to me with the same grace and courage as a deer would, right before I squeeze the trigger. So you see, she’s very lucky that her destiny is in my hands…

With one quick flick of his wrist my towel is down around my ankles. And before I have a chance to catch my breath, my back is pressed tightly against his chest. My body pulsates with need as he splays his large hands across my abdomen, while his thumbs stroke the soft outline of my breasts. “This is the way I will take you, precious. From behind. I do not do missionary because I will not kiss you, stare into your eyes or whisper words of love. But I can promise you this; I will sate your hunger, quench your thirst and fulfill your every desire…”