Page 26 of When She Falls (The Fallen)
Her hands fall back to her sides.
They’re trembling.
“Look at your hands,” I command.
She does. When she sees what I’m seeing, she sucks in a breath and makes two fists.
“That won’t do it.” I’m so close I can pick up on the floral scent of her perfume. I wrap my palms around her delicate wrists and force her fists against my abdomen.
“Let go of me.”
“I’ll be your punching bag. Hit me.”
She presses farther away from me, probably wishing she could move through the counter. Her full lips part. Waver. “I-I’m not going to do that.”
“Why not? I’ve been that for you ever since we met.”
I let my gaze drop down her body. She’s breathing hard, making the swell of her breasts rise and fall. The outline of her nipples are visible through that silky dress, and my cock swells against the zipper of my slacks.
She’s so fucking beautiful it hurts.
I take a small step back to give her some space, but I keep her fists pressed to my abdomen. “C’mon, Gem. You said you don’t like me. Or did you lie?”
Apparently, she really doesn’t want me thinking that, because she jerks her right wrist out of my hold and punches me.
A thrill runs up my spine. I don’t like that fake, perfect version of her. I like this one. The one that keeps me on my toes.
I chuckle. “That’s all you’ve got?”
She glares at me, teeth clenched, jaw tight.
“Your technique could use some—Oof.”
She cuts me off with another punch, this time noticeably harder.
“Still not quite—”
She goes for two more, and I tense my abs to absorb the hits. When she feels the difference, her eyes go momentarily wide. She makes a frustrated sound and then really hits me.
“There.” I grab her hand and hold it in place. Then I lift it between us.
It’s steady.
“You see? Sometimes, you should just let it out. It feels good to do what you want. You should try it more often.”
“Fuck you,” she hisses.
Anger. So much anger for me.
But I bet for Messero, she’ll turn docile and sweet.
A knot of disgust twists inside my gut, and that’s when I do something I shouldn’t.
I follow my own advice about just doing what I want.
The space between us disappears. My thighs press to hers, and I force her back against the counter.
Her eyes widen. “Ras—”
