The Perfect Stroke (Lucas Brothers #1)(97)

“You like me.”

“We’re not dating. I don’t think you get what a date even is.”

“I get that it’s for people who are too backwards to admit what they want from each other,” I tell her, advancing on her until she backs into the side of the bed. I move so she falls back on it and then I pin her to it with the weight of my body. I grab each of her wrists and hold them above her head, making her completely helpless. Instead of screaming at me, she cries out and then bites her lip, studying my face. “I’m going to tell you exactly what I want from you, Ana. I want your body. Willingly offered to me anytime and anyway I want it. I want you submitting to me. I want your trust that no matter what I ask, you’ll do it, because you know that when it comes down to it, you will love where I take you. I want—”

“Complete control,” she whispers, interrupting me.

I smile. She gets it, and while she’s tense beneath me, she’s not trying to leave. I’ve made a fortune out of reading faces and, unless I’m totally missing something, she’s more than interested.

“Complete control,” I confirm.

“I’m not sure I’m cut out for this.”

“How about we try it out for one night and see.”

“Why me?”

“Because it’s you I want. And when I want something, I don’t stop until I get it. It’s as simple as that, Ana.”

Her head comes up off the mattress and she presses her lips gently to my mouth. Her sweet little tongue comes out to lick mine. Her eyes are wide open as she whispers.

“Do I get a safe word?” she asks.

I’m intrigued. Has she been in this type of relationship before, or does she just know things from reading or watching movies?

“You won’t need one tonight, pet. But yes, you will get one if this works out.” It’s a small lie. There’s no if; this is working out. I’m keeping her—at least until I grow bored. I have a feeling that Ana will hold my interest longer than any woman before her.

“Show me.”

Surprise. Green light. I wasn’t expecting it. I truthfully thought I would have to work for it harder. I’m a sadistic bastard and I can admit there’s a part of me that’s disappointed I’m not going to have to work for her. The part that controls my dick tells the rest of me to shut the f*ck up.

“I plan on it,” I tell her, taking the kiss she offers.





I’ve lost my mind. I know I have. That’s the only explanation. I knew coming here tonight was a risk and I was insane to even think about it, but I thought I could control it—keep ahead of Roman and direct how tonight went. Maybe. Maybe I’m just lying to myself. Maybe I still am. Roman doesn’t know my real life. He has no idea who I am and the kind of person I am. My life is so swamped with responsibility, stress, and trying to take care of everyone. Roman is forbidden. Forbidden in ways that should scare the hell out of me and keep me from doing this. It doesn’t. He calls to me, and the lure of giving him complete control is too much to turn down. There’s this little voice inside that tells me I can keep up this image that Roman sees and use it to my advantage. I’ll enjoy a taste of the freedom he’s offering while getting behind his defenses. Getting closer to use him to find my brother sounds cold, but most of life is, and Roman Anthes is as coldhearted as they come. If he finds out, he’ll kill me, but he doesn’t have to find out; I just have to be careful.

All thought of bargaining or justifying goes out the window when he kisses me. His tongue pushes into my mouth and, just like before, it warms me instantly. I pull against his hold, wanting to touch him. His hold doesn’t budge. Complete control. I remind myself and I let go of everything and just feel. His kiss is slower this time, searching and conquering me. He pulls away slowly, standing up over me. My hands are free now, but for the life of me I can’t bring them down. I’m hypnotized by the look on his face.

He kicks his shoes off and somehow he manages to make that sexy. My body feels like it’s on fire. I’m struggling to force air out of my lungs and the exertion makes my body shudder with each ragged exhale. When his hands come to his belt and he begins undoing it, I forget to breathe altogether. I watch as the shiny black belt slides away from his pants. He gathers it in one hand before coming back on the bed overtop of me. He’s so much larger than me, and this time when he blankets me, it’s his chest over my face. I can’t resist placing kisses along the top of his abs and then further up the middle of his chest. His skin has a taste that goes straight to my head. Man and sex; if those were flavors, they’d be his. I finally remember I have arms again and can’t wait to touch him, to learn every contour of his body, to dig my nails into his back as he’s pounding me.

Before I can, he has my wrists again and he cinches them together in his belt. The action causes my heart to speed up, but it’s not from fear. Complete control, I hear his voice whisper in my mind. Need thrums through my blood quickly. I want this. How he knew what I craved is beyond me. It may be wrong, but I’m going to let go and gain enough memories to last me a lifetime. I pull against the belt, but it doesn’t budge. I don’t question him. I instinctively know this would be wrong. I don’t want to do anything that might stop him at this point.

I look over my head as best as I can to watch him secure the belt against the headboard. When he’s done, my hands are locked in place and there’s not a thing I can do to move them. Complete control, I hear again in my head, and along with arousal this time there is a trace of nerves. Reality tries to interfere as I watch him walk slowly and purposely to the foot of the bed and directly into my sight. He wants me to see him. He’s getting off on me being helpless. While I have to admit I am, I don’t know this man besides what I’ve read and our limited interaction. What if he goes too far? What was I thinking? I start to tell him I’ve changed my mind when he distracts me. His hand goes to the button of his slacks. My eyes zero in on the movement and it’s almost as if everything is in slow motion as he unfastens it. Then, I watch as even slower his hand moves the zipper down. As his pants fall to the floor, his cock springs out, definitely ready to play, and I nearly lose it.