Mesmerized by Lauren Dane Page A

not a universe traveler. I don’t have fine clothes. But I know some things. I know what I feel. I know who I am, and I’m proud of that. I know my flaws. My weaknesses as well as my strengths. One thing I’m not is a liar. Least of all to myself.
    “This thing between us is long past me leaving the room. I could. And we’d still want each other. A man like you? How often do not get what you want? Hm?”
    He licked his lips, and her pussy spasmed. So much control. His muscles coiled as he lay against her. She moved in, her lips just against his. “I want you. You want me. This is going to happen.”
    She could sense all that power drawing within him, sense his ability to leash it, and his growing resistance to stopping her. “I’m not good for you.”
    She laughed. “Gods, you’re right about that. You were trouble when we were young, and you sure as seven hells are now. But my pussy is wet for you. My nipples ache. I don’t want to masturbate. Again. I want you. In me. I don’t need you to be good for me. I just need you to be who you are.”
    He groaned. “This is a bad idea.” He tried to pull away, but she stayed, her limbs holding him to her.
    “I want your mouth on me.”
    He froze, and she realized he was as bent as she. “Do you now?” he murmured, the tension falling from him.
    She nodded, her bravado slightly diminished as he looked at her with such raw appraisal.
    He took her wrists, stretching her arms above her head, holding her in one of his hands. Tight, but shy of pain. She was where he wanted her, and that sent her heart beating wildly in her chest. She swallowed hard on a wave of pleasure at being restrained that way.
    He pressed an openmouthed kiss to the side of her neck. A series of sharp nips of teeth and the flat of his tongue laving away the sting followed.
    She struggled against his hold, and he pulled back to look into her face. She paused, fascinated by the way so much played over his face. He was usually so implacable, but just at that moment she saw the argument he had with himself.
    It was important that he understand her struggles were play. She only knew she wanted him totally unleashed. She’d waited eleven years. Piper didn’t want nice sedate four or five fuck sessions and then he would leave. She wanted all Andrei had to give, wanted him to trust her enough to let go.
    “Give it to me, Andrei,” she urged, rolling her hips. “I don’t want you diluted. I won’t break. Use me. Let me use you.”
    His eyes darkened as his lips parted.
    “You don’t know what you’re asking for.”
    “Don’t fucking insult me. I know exactly what I’m asking for. You like holding me like that. You like restraining me, being in charge. So what? I like it when you restrain me like that. I like it when you’re in charge. I’m no virgin. You of all people should know that.”
    He pushed up, hopping from the bed to pace.
    “I know you want to fuck me, Andrei. Your cock is hard. You kissed me first.”
    “I told you, I’m not good for you.”
    She got to her knees on the bed, peeled her shirt off and then shimmied from her pants and underthings. She waited, naked, unashamed of her body, especially when he looked at her with such raw longing it tugged at her belly.
    “You’ve grown up. And so have I. What good will denying yourself do? I have no intention of you leaving Asphodel without having sex with me. At least once. I didn’t survive this fucking place by being nice and taking no for an answer, and you know this better than most. I am offering myself to you, and you try to remain aloof. Am I unpleasant to look upon then?”
    He scrubbed his hands over his face. “You’re beautiful, Piper. You always have been. It’s not that. I’m here on a job. It’s an important job. I need to keep my focus.”
    “Right now?” She sat, back resting against the wall. And slowly drew her knees up, exposing herself to him. She’d never been this bold with anyone before. But he was