he clears the numbers, and the phone disappears from view. His breath tickles my ear as he leans in. “Were you about to call the police on me?” he tsks. “And here I thought we were past this.” My breath stutters. “I don’t want to do this anymore, Zade. I-I don’t want you.” His quiet breathing is swallowed by the news reporter droning on in the background. Finally, he says, “When did you become such a liar?” Closing my eyes, I take a steadying breath. And then I lift my leg and stomp on his foot as hard as I can. He grunts, but before I can make a run for it, his arms encircle my waist and trap me against him. “That’s very naughty, little mouse. And you know what happens when you’re naughty?” A heartbeat passes before he finally growls into my ear, “You get fucking eaten.” Fire licks at my insides, igniting my entire being from the inside out. His words cause an elicit hunger to claw its way down from my throat, through my stomach, and straight to the sensitive spot between my legs. But I will not give in so easily. I will not let this man continue to get inside my head—my body. “T’m not your fucking prey.” “Then why do you let me consume you?” he whispers before encircling his hand around my throat and squeezing tight. Stubble pierces my skin as his cheek rubs down the side of my own before his mouth descends on my neck. A sharp nip pulls a gasp from my lips. His hand tightens further while my breath shortens. Words rise to my tongue, but they fail to release when a low growl vibrates from his chest, and throughout my body. “You know how much I love it when you run,” he rasps. His other hand travels across my stomach roughly before sliding up to my heaving breasts. He cups one in his hand and squeezes. I feel the blood rise, rushing to my face as another whimper is wrung from my throat. My nipples are hardened into twin peaks, rubbing almost painfully against the fabric of my bra. Once he bares me completely, he’ ll see the evidence that I’m enjoying this far more than I should. Somehow, that always seems to be the case with him. “Stop it,’ I choke out, attempting to get away, but his grip holds firm, tightening around my throat until black pinpricks dot my vision. “You don’t want this, baby? You don’t want to be full of my cock and discover a new religion each time I make you come?” “You have a lot of faith in your abilities,” I croak. He chuckles, as deep and dark as the ocean. “You need faith to be a believer.” He cups me between my legs. “And this pussy deserves to be worshipped.”