A Death Wish Read online

  “I didn’t leave you. I was right there and could see you the entire time.” Snake yanked off his fins and rose to his feet.

  His knife glistened in the sun, catching her eye. Shrinking back even further, she had no idea what to think. She ripped at her vest, tearing the BCD off. When she was free of the equipment, she stood and paced the boat, a cold chill slithering down her back, her legs and creating cramps in her leg muscles. “I don’t understand you! You’re not some vigilante. You can’t just go and kill wildlife!”

  Snake gave her a heated look before removing his gear. “You panicked. What was I supposed to do?”

  “I didn’t panic.” But she knew she had. All the years of training, the hundreds of dives she’d experienced over the years and she’d allowed her emotions as well as her crippling condition to steal away her resolve. “Why did you leave me? Why? You’re dangerous.”

  Taking long strides, he closed the distance, yanking her into his arms. Capturing her mouth, he held her head with both hands, refusing to let her go.

  She struggled, pushing hard against his chest, every last ounce of strength fighting to get away. She didn’t need this. She didn’t want him. Not him. Not ever. As the kiss continued, his tongue exploring the dark recesses of her mouth, she could hear nothing but the sound of her heart.

  His actions barbaric, he grunted as the kiss continued, his fingers digging into her skin.

  She’d never felt so alive, electrified by the crazed intensity. Gripping his arms, she jutted her hips forward, longing for his body against hers. She was tingling all over, her skin prickled by the wind and by the heat of his kiss.

  When Snake pulled back, his eyes darting back and forth, he issued a single growl before speaking. “I didn’t leave you. I would never put you in harm’s way. You need to learn that about me, sweetheart. I would absolutely die for you.”

  The words stunning, she opened her eyes wide and for all the wrong reasons, she wanted this man. He was wild and free, angry and vicious, but he was exactly what she wanted. In fact, she was falling in love with him.

  Chapter 8

  Snake stood on the back deck, eyeing the knife. Once they’d reached the shore, Katherine had raced back to the house, refusing to talk to him. The moment on the boat had been riveting and the words he’d said to her the truth. She seemed to understand, but now, she’d gone to her room, slamming the door.

  Yeah, he’d been careless, but she had never been out of his sight completely, yet he’d known better. He’d been trained for God’s sake to dive in extreme conditions. He should have caught the fact she was claustrophobic early on. If he hadn’t been thinking with his dick, he sure as shit would have. Hissing, he grabbed the knife, twisting the blade in the dimming afternoon light. He fingered the edges, realizing the moment he’d shoved the knife into the belly of the beast, he’d been drawn into a world of his own, his thoughts and actions turning dark and yes, just as dangerous as she’d believed.

  Killing the shark hadn’t been his intention, but she had no idea how close she’d come to being attacked. He tossed the knife onto the table and grabbed his drink as he stood staring out at the ocean. The pictures he’d taken were telling enough. The story he’d told her was true, but certain details had been left out on purpose. She was too close to discovering the damning information. Far too close.

  Taking a swig of his bourbon, he swirled the ice as he thought about whether to abort the entire mission. Hell, he was talking as if he remained in the marines, but in a sense, he was still there. There was culpability in certain actions, people who should be held responsible for heinous acts. All of it swept under the rug.

  His reasons for leaving the military after only one tour had garnered him no friends, but then again, few knew the truth. Sighing, he finished the drink and headed back into the house for another. He was going to have to confide in Katherine to some degree. She was a damn smart lady and would eventually figuring out he was hiding something significant.

  As he walked by her cracked bedroom door, he hesitated before tapping lightly. Hearing nothing, he took two steps away then stopped, debating his actions. Pressing the door open with a finger, he could hear the sounds of the shower. As he walked into her room, his desire, his burning hunger took over. There were so many reasons he should put a stop to their relationship, but he needed her. It was as if this woman could break him from the sadness that had encapsulated every aspect of his life.

  But if she learned the truth…

  Slamming his glass on top of the dresser, he removed his clothes and opened the bathroom door. The shower curtain was closed yet he could still see the outline of her gorgeous body, her long legs and full breasts. Rubbing his hands down his chest, he wrapped one around his cock, rubbing his shaft between his fingers.

  His balls were already swollen and the friction he created forcing his blood pressure to rise. Breathing in and out, he pulled on his dick until he was unable to wait any longer. Tugging the back of the curtain open, he climbed inside, immediately advancing.

  Yelping, she pushed hard against her would be attacker, her arms and legs moving.

  “It’s me,” Snake whispered as he slipped his hands around her waist, cupping her breasts.

  “Damn you,” she muttered but went limp in his arms, cradling her head against his shoulder. “What you do to me.”

  “What I will do to you. Remember, you’re mine.” The words little more than a guttural whisper, he kneaded her breasts, squeezing as he ground his hips into her ass. As the water splashed down over them, he closed his eyes and toyed with her nipples, pinching and twisting.

  Katherine moaned and undulated her body against his, her mouth going slack. Arching her back, she slid her hands down his hips to the tops of his thighs, her fingers digging in. “Yes, yours.”

  “Say the words.”

  She purred and wiggled.

  “Say the words to me. Tell me you belong to me.” Snake continued pinching as he ground his cock into her ass, wanting nothing more than to fuck her asshole, drive his cock deep inside.

  Hesitating, a slow breath escaped her mouth before she whispered, “I belong to you.”

  “And no one else.”

  “And no one else.”

  Shuddering, he released his hold and rubbed the flats of his hands down her stomach to her legs, moving them up and down, his nails scratching her delicate skin.

  She moved her hips back and forth, every move deliberate, as she continued to moan, the sound floating between them. Opening her legs as far as the enclosure would allow, she brushed her hand across his crotch, fingering his cock.

  “Mmm… You’re hungry.”

  “Famished.”

  “You’ll have to be a good girl,” he growled and nipped her ear as he shoved his hand between her legs, sliding his fingers into her wetness. The feel of her, the wet heat made his balls throb, his cock pulse. Using the power of his arm muscle, he rubbed hard and fast, moving up and down.

  “Oh, God!” Her legs shaking, she slumped against him as he masturbated her, her breath skipping, both arms going around his neck.

  He pumped up and down as the water streamed over them, steam rising to the point he was sweating, beads sliding down his back. But he wanted her to come, to understand the power of his hold over her.

  She placed her foot on the edge of the tub, her hips gyrating as he finger fucked her. Panting, gurgled sounds pushing past her lips, she kept her eyes closed.

  With every hard swipe, her juice soaking his fingers, he fell into a savage state, his beast crawling to the surface. He wanted to whip her. Chain her. Keep her safe and under his care. He would have her in any fashion he craved, no matter how sadistic his needs, how brutal the act. This was just the beginning. He slipped four fingers inside her cunt as he rolled his thumb around her clit, swirl after swirl.

  “Oh… Snake, I…” Her head dropping, she continued moaning as her arms dropped down. “I’m going to come.”

  “Not until I say
.”

  “But…”

  Gripping and squeezing her breast, he kept his grip painful as he jammed his fingers in and out of her pussy. “Not yet.” The hiss was elongated, and he nuzzled into her neck, licking and nipping her skin.

  Katherine sagged more until she struggled to remain standing.

  “Soon, my girl. Soon.” Harder. Faster. He pumped until his arm was tense, his cock screaming for relief. After a few additional seconds, he flexed his fingers open. “Now!”

  She came violently, her entire body jerking in his arms. “Ooohhh!” The squeal was loud but clipped as she bit back the moan.

  He breathed out, allowing his hot breath to skate across her skin and refused to stop until her head dropped to the side, her body stopped shaking. Kissing her shoulder, he held his mouth over her skin as he placed one of her hands on the tile in front of them then the other. Pulling her back, he fisted her hair and leaned down, peppering her shoulder and upper arms with kisses.

  Soft purrs continued to float from her mouth as she dug her nails into the tile. “Fuck me. Please, fuck me.”

  “I will.” A dark chuckle slipped from his mouth as he licked and kissed, moving his head down the length of her back and back up. “Open your mouth.”

  She did so immediately.

  The moment he slipped his fingers inside, she sucked, the sounds exaggerated by the dense space.

  “I’m going to fuck you in the ass.” His words were frank and said without any inflection. He thrust his fingers in and out of her mouth until they were slickened by her saliva. When he removed them, he dragged the tips down her spine to the crack of her ass. Wiggling his fingers between her folds, he found her asshole and slipped two inside.

  She stiffened, a single whimper floating out of her mouth.

  Snake kept his hold around her hair, twisting and pulling as he slipped a third finger inside, darting them in rapid motions. She was tight, her asshole warm and he was in such misery waiting to be inside of her. When he added the forth finger, pushing past the tight ring of muscle, she issued a long and strangled moan.

  “I want you,” she managed, her words almost inaudible.

  “Tell me what you want. Tell me.”

  “Fuck my ass. Shove your cock deep inside. Hard. Fast. Use me.”

  The sinful words were a powerful aphrodisiac. “Oh, I will. I’m going to use every hole, fill you with my cum.”

  Smack! Crack!

  Hitting her ass twice, the sound reverberated. He let go of her hair and grabbed her hip, yanking her out from the wall.

  “Yes, sir! Spank me,” she muttered and pressed her face against the cool tile, offering him anything he desired.

  Pop! Slap!

  “Only a taste of what you’re going to get.” Wrapping his hand around his cock, he replaced his fingers with the tip, shifting until his cockhead slipped inside. “Every hole is mine. No matter when. No matter where.”

  “Oh, yes, sir.” She smiled and licked her lips.

  Grabbing her other hip, he thrust the entire length of his shaft inside her ass. “Fuck!” The way her muscles clamped around the tight invasion was chilling, creating a series of electric jolts coursing throughout his body. Lowering his head, he panted as the tingling continued. Then he began again.

  The hard drive was followed by another, the force pushing her against the shower.

  “Yes. Yes!” Slapping her hands on the wall, she pushed her arms out, meeting every hard plunge.

  Hissing, he jutted his hips forward, driving into her dark hole harder and harder, the move almost savage. But he didn’t care. He wanted her filled. He wanted her tame. He wanted her to understand that she did belong to him. Unable to focus, he pulled out until just the tip was inside and took a deep breath.

  Smack! Pop!

  The hard slaps were against her hip. His hand stung and dear God, he wanted to whip her again.

  Whap! Pop!

  His balls were in anguish, full of cum, aching until his legs were shaking. He shoved his cock all the way inside again. And again. Every thrust more powerful.

  And she took every plunge, her face twisted in utter bliss, her back arched and her legs wide open. “Fuck me! Use me!”

  Harder. Faster. His heart was racing, thumping in his chest. There was no way he could hold back. Tipping his head back, he roared as his shaft filled with cum. The moment he shot his load, he cupped both breasts, yanking her back against his chest. “Mine!”

  Snake could barely breathe as he filled her ass and the way she felt in his arms was so right, almost too perfect. He held her until they both stopped shaking then kissed the side of her face. “You have no idea what you do to me.”

  Katherine mewed and rubbed his arm with her fingers, the touch gentle. “I’m glad, sir.”

  Even hearing the word was enough to create a ripple effect, the needs refusing to go away. Reaching down, he stopped the shower and threw back the curtain. Lifting her out of the tub, he planted her in front of the bathroom mirror. He pulled her wet hair out of the way, exposing her face, his fingers rubbing her skin. “You scared me today. I could have lost you.”

  “I know. I just… panicked.” The words seemed difficult for her to say. “I don’t know why.”

  “Because you’re terrified of me, of what I can do.” The words were the truth. They both knew she wasn’t trusting enough of him, perhaps never would be. He rubbed his hand across the glass, wiping away steam.

  “Yes. The kind of man you are scares me.”

  “But do you trust me? Do you know I’d save your life?” He stared at her in the mirror, studying their combined reflection, the way the remaining steam muddied the look, but he could still see the fear.

  “Yes. On both counts.”

  He could sense the hesitation, but her desire was so strong, her willingness to push her limits. “If you know who I am, you will run.”

  “Then you’ll have to trust me. I won’t.”

  Sucking in his breath, he nodded, breaking the penetrating stare. “I will teach you many things, aspects of discipline, obedience.”

  “Mmm… Yes, sir.”

  Noticing the hairbrush, he gave her a controlling look before taking her hand, intertwining their fingers. Very slowly he placed both their hands on the handle of the brush, forcing her to finger the bristles, rubbing up and down. He adored the way she trembled in his arms, her breath sounds as she smiled. “You’re going to watch as I punish you.”

  “Punish?”

  “For not obeying my command.” He placed pressure on their fingers as he continued moving them up and down the bristles.

  “But it was business today,” she countered.

  “You could have died.” Pulling the brush away from her hand, he took a step back, his eyes never leaving her. Dying. He couldn’t lose her. He couldn’t go through this again. He wasn’t strong enough. Sniffing, he pushed aside the bitterness, the raging anger. The past wasn’t going to haunt him any longer. “And that will not happen.”

  Katherine gripped the counter, opening her mouth as if longing to ask a question. She dropped her head, exhaling.

  Yanking her head by her hair, he hissed. “Watch.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Smack! Pop!

  The brush was dense, the thudding sound creating a different vibe.

  She bristled, rising up on her toes.

  Whap! Slap!

  “God!” Her grip became firm and she jerked forward.

  He pressed his hand on the small of her back. “Breathe and pay attention. Those who don’t follow rules are punished severely.” The words he’d said before. There had only been one woman who’d been able to drive away the demons. Stop. Leave me alone. His head ached as the thoughts and memories rushed forward, snagging onto his consciousness, tugging at his heart. He’d long ago closed this off and this woman, this vibrant and amazing woman was forcing the man inside into the light.

  Crack! Pop! Slap!

  Snake smacked first one ass cheek th
en the other, his rhythm steady yet he was panting. No, he couldn’t allow her inside. Not possible. But God, he wanted her. No, he needed her.

  Nodding, she sucked in her breath.

  Smack! Slap!

  Harder and faster he issued the spanking until her cheeks were bright pink.

  Crack! Pop!

  “God!” she howled but remained in position.

  Smack! Slap! Whap!

  Back and forth he moved, but he could tell she was falling into a rare moment of quiet ecstasy. Think. She belongs to you. But the truth was, she would never belong to him. How could she after… “Obedience is key.”

  “Yes, sir.” Sucking in her breath, she blinked several times.

  Crack! Pop! Slap!

  He rubbed his hand down her back, controlling his emotions. “Five more.” Now, he was shaking all over, memories of the past crowding into his space, his mind. Unable to push them away, he knew this had to stop. If he didn’t, he could destroy Katherine.

  This time she nodded, her lower lip quivering.

  Slap! Crack! Pop! Whack! Smack!

  When he was done, he dropped the brush and covered her body with his. “Trust. I need your trust. Only then can we share what we both hunger for.” He eased away, heading for the door. Thoughts and visions rushed into the back of his mind, dragging him through hell, leaving the anger. “Even then, you should walk away. Just walk away.”

  “Snake. Why?”

  He pushed his arm out as she inched closer. “Don’t. Too complicated. Too much. You need to leave me. Get the next plane out before it’s too late.”

  Katherine had no idea how to react or what to say to him. She remained in her room, stunned by the event. Snake had allowed her in, almost completely then pulled back, as if he wanted to hurt her. Confusion settled in and maybe her instinct was right. Maybe she should leave, get far away from him. Exhausted, she rubbed her eyes as she brushed her hair.

  The man was infuriating. Unable to make sense of anything, her anger continued to increase. No man was going to treat her this way. Have his way with her then toss her away. What in the hell was he thinking? Who was he?