Page 44 of Ruined By a Devil

I raise my chin, holding his gaze, though my heart is pounding hard enough to hurt. “Well, you made it look effortless.”

“Then, Jade,” he murmurs as he reaches out. “You weren't paying enough attention.”

He uses his knuckles to simply brush the side of my neck, tracing the jump of my pulse point. His skin is warm to the touch, and the light contact sends a spike of heat straight to my pussy, making me gasp softly.

“I didn't stop because I didn't want you,” he says, his pale eyes darkening, and for a heartbeat I could swear that I can see a flash of raw hunger beneath his polished mask. “It was difficult precisely because I wanted you too much. I had you wet, shaking, and helpless under my hands, but you were overwhelmed. Your eyes were filled with panic.”

My throat suddenly feels dry and I try to keep myself together, but the memory of his body pressed over mine makes my knees feel weak.

“I wasn't⁠—"

“You were,” he interrupts me, his hand moving to gently cup the side of my jaw, while his thumb drags across my lower lip, pressing down just enough to part my mouth. “And I don't take what isn't freely, consciously given. When I finally put my cock inside you and strip away the rest of your innocence, I want you looking at me with absolute clarity.”

His thumb presses a little harder against my lip before he slowly pulls his hand back.

“Next time,” he continues, his voice steady and cold. “You will understand exactly what you are agreeing to before I touch you. You won't be confused and you won't be hiding behind a toy… You will ask for it with your own voice.”

My breath catches in my chest at his words and my core starts throbbing uncontrollably, wet and aching, a desperate need threatening to crush my remaining pride. His discipline, his absolute restraint, somehow pulls me in deeper. It makes me want to tear his suit jacket off, throw him against the counter, and make him break that infuriating control.

I take a sip of my coffee, using the hot liquid to ground myself, forcing my expression into a cool mask.

“Don't hold your breath, Malachi,” I say, holding his gaze over the rim of the mug and for a micro-second, I notice the corner of his mouth turning into a smirk before he picks up his tablet again.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Malachi

I find Jade waiting for me in the basement gym. She’s standing on the black mats wearing dark grey leggings and a tight sports top, her long dark hair braided back again. Her skin is still slightly flushed from our conversation in the kitchen, her eyes tracking every move I make as I shed my suit jacket and roll my sleeves up.

“Today we’re covering escape holds,” I say, stepping onto the mat to join her. “If someone grabs you from behind, you don't panic.”

“I don’t?” She raises an eyebrow and I shake my head.

“You use leverage.”

I step up behind her and I wrap my left arm firmly around her collarbone, pulling her back against my chest until her ass rests flush against my groin. My right hand grips her waist, holding her pinned.

Her breath hitches instantly and I find myself smirking. The effect I have on her is undeniable and it only makes my own heat grow. Through the thin fabric of her top, her body is burning hot while the faintly sweet scent of her skin fills my nose.

“First defense,” I murmur into her ear, my lips brushing the shell of her ear as I speak. “Stomp the foot, elbow to the ribs, drop your weight.”

Instead of executing the move, Jade tilts her head back against my shoulder, looking up at me through her long, perfectly curled lashes. Her hips shift back against my trousers, deliberately pushing against the thick length already growing hard beneath my belt.

“Like this?” She asks, a teasing edge in her voice.

My jaw tightens as I pull her waist tighter against me, my fingers digging into her hip. “Focus on what I’m teaching you, Jade.”

“I am focusing,” she says, her tone full of dry provocation.

Without warning, she stomps her heel down toward my boot, using the distraction to drive her elbow back into my ribs. It’s fast, hit with real force. The impact lands solid, pushing a quick breath from my lungs. She turns in my hold, her palm striking hard against my chest, trying to shove me back.

I suspect she likes hitting me. She most certainly likes testing boundaries, seeing how much force it takes to break my composure.

“That’s better,” I say, stepping into her space before she can set her stance.

I sweep her leg with my foot, catching her off balance and causing her to gasp as she falls back. But instead of letting her hit the mat hard, I catch her by the waist and bring us both down. We land heavy on the padding making a loud sound in the small home gym.

My pants become tight the moment I become aware of our position and how my body hovers over hers, my knees locking her hips in place, and my hands pinning her forearms above her head. My dick twitches, as hungry for her as I am.