Page 85 of Bad Influence
My knife comes down harder than expected and makes a mark on the chopping board. If someone gets too close to Caroline, I guess I’ll prove Eve right and go on a killing spree. I’m barely hanging onto my sanity here.
To think that just a month ago, on a Friday night like this, I’d be up in my studio painting, with plans to do more of that over the weekend. There were no plans, no worries, and no thoughts about doing anything else. I certainly never entertained the idea of going to a club because the woman I’m secretly obsessed with is going.
Caroline opens her door and steps out. She’s wearing blackpants which hug the curves of her hips, heels so high I’m worried she won’t be able to walk far, let alone run if something happens, and a red halter neck top that dips low in the front. Her skin shimmers under the light.
“What do you think?” Holding her arms out, she slowly circles, her shoes makingtap tap tapsounds.
As she turns, I see the way her pants mold to her ass, and the fact that her top has no back and only has a string holding it together.
This woman is going to give me a heart attack, and then she’s going to dance on my ashes.
“I think you’re missing part of your top,” I say, my voice strained.
“It’s backless,” Caroline says, as if it should be obvious.
I set my knife down and wipe my hands on a kitchen towel before walking to her. Wrapping one arm around her bare waist, I pull her flush against me. Caroline gasps, her red lips parting, hands gripping my arms to steady herself.
Her eye makeup makes her eyes look even more feline.
“Are you trying to torture me?” I ask.
“You said torture is healthy,” she quips back, her mouth lifting into a smirk.
“Evidently, I was a fool for saying so,” I reply. “I want you to go and have fun new experiences. I also want to hide you from the world and keep you locked up here.”
“Why?” Caroline asks.
“Same reason I asked you to come back to the apartment that night.”
Because I realized you’re mine and I’ve been given another chance with you.
Leaning down, I press my lips against her neck, sucking the skin. Caroline moans, her fingers digging into my arms. When I pull back, I notice with satisfaction blood pooling beneath her skin. It will be too dark in the club for anyone to see, but I’ll know the mark is there.
“You’re lucky I’m not bending you over this couch and fucking you right here,” I growl.
“How’s that lucky?” Caroline asks, breathlessly.
“Do you think a quick fuck will be enough to ease this desperation inside me, baby?” I ask. “I’ll need hours, maybe days.” Squeezing her waist, I pull her even closer.
“When I fuck you for the first time, I want to take my time. I’ll give you my cock inch by inch so you know exactly who you belong to and I’m going to stay inside until your body remembers me. Until you’re just as desperate for me as I am for you.”
Caroline whimpers, reaching up to push her hand into my hair. Gripping tightly, she lowers my mouth to hers. We haven’t kissed since the day I found her outside the bathroom and the days have blurred into one since. Until now. Until this moment when I can kiss her again. Our mouths move with the same fervor they did before, the same hunger clawing its way out.
Cupping the side of her face, I tilt her head to give myself easier access to her mouth, our tongues fighting for dominance.
Caroline is the first to pull away, chest rising and falling as she tries to catch her breath.
“I’ve gone most of my adult life without going to a club, I think I can go another night or two,” she says.
I laugh, lightly biting her lower lip. “I might be a beast who wants to lock you up, but I will never do it at the expense of your freedom, butterfly. No one is going to stop you from doing anything you want, least of all me.”
Caroline watches me with soft eyes and flushed cheeks. “But I want to stay home and do all the things you just said.”
I love how easily she calls the apartment her home. It never truly felt like it to me, not until she started calling it one.
“You’re not getting away from me that easily,” I say. “I’m going to do everything I said and more. At least go out and live a little before I trap you in here with me.”
Releasing her, I walk to the kitchen counter and pick up the can of pepper spray I bought.
