This Want Has a Last Name

NINA'S POV

By the time I lock my bedroom door, my pulse is still answering to a man I shouldn’t want.

My dress pools at my feet and I step over it into the shower.

I shut my eyes and let the hot water pellet my skin, washing away every evidence of his touch.

I tell myself I’m furious with him, but anger has never made my thighs ache like this.

He's so…cocky. Like a man who is used to getting his way. I don't blame him though.

Any sane woman would want him. Hell, I was in his bed four hours after meeting him and having shameless daydreams about that marvelous form…

Until I found out he's married. Engaged, but that doesn't make it any better.

My fists clench and I suck in a steamy breath. I may have washed off his scent, but I still feel his strong hand wrapping around my waist and pulling me into him.

It's a good thing he stopped when he did. I was three seconds away from arching against him and begging him to take me.

Surely we would have been caught. Disgraced. I did the right thing by shunning him. Then why do I feel this slight tremor in my knees, like it wouldn't have been such a bad idea.

But no. I will swipe my vagina over a cheese grater before I let him inside me again.

My skin is a bright red when I step out of the shower, but my mind is still filthy as hell.

I stand naked in front of my vanity mirror, watching water drip down my hair and pool at my feet.

My eyes follow my reflection. Every curve, every soft rise of flesh, and for the first time in months, I feel beautiful. Wanted. Even by my own stepbrother.

He looked at me like I was his last meal while his fiancee was right outside. I don't know whether to be concerned or flattered.

I must look like such a hypocrite, leaving one cheating man for the arms of another. But there's more to this, I can just feel it.

His voice still echoes in my ears, telling me that he owns me now. I should be concerned, scared even, yet all I can think about is the feel of his fingers circling my throat and stealing my breath.

Damn you, Cassian Cross!

I flop into bed and bury my face in my pillow, but that doesn't help either. Now I'm reminded by how many times I bit his pillow as he slammed into me.

I toss the offending pillow across the room and lie face up in bed. My body burns. Every inch of me.

I shut my eyes and will myself to sleep, but it's useless. He rules the darkness behind my eyes, and I let it consume me.

Now my fingertips are tracing faint lines across my belly, stopping where his lips branded me.

Eyes shut, I picture him standing over me, fists clenched, dick jutting through his pants.

And what a glorious sight it is. I feel my nipples harden.

I let my hand move freely, exploring every part of me like his hands did.

My legs spread open slowly, and I let myself go, fingers resting on my aching clit.

I draw out soft circles just like Cassian did. The motion sends tiny heat waves up my spine, and I imagine him nodding in approval. Calling me his good girl. Telling me not to stop now.

I don't stop. My fingers move feverishly. My back arches off the bed, and my body quivers, desperate for some form of release…of freedom from this hell.

I slip a finger inside me, gasping as my wetness spills out. I can't remember the last time I was this wet for Jason. If I ever was.

One hand grips the sheets while I drive myself insane with the other. Waves after waves of pleasure wash over me, and I'm so close to the edge. So ready to tip over for him—

A jarring sound rips me from my orgasm. My body freezes, eyes still shut.

My phone rings again. Fucking hell.

I pull my fingers from myself slowly, regretfully, and reach for my phone.

Mom.

Shouldn't she be somewhere gulping her new husband's limp dick?

I press the phone to my ear.

“Nina! Where the hell are you?” Her voice breaks through the static.

I frown.

“Home? Where I should be?”

“We've been ringing your apartment for ages. Let us in.”

I sit up straight. They're here? This isn't destination Malibu.

My eyes dart around my room. From the water pooled on the floor to the smell of sin hanging in the air, I know I can't risk it.

“I'll come down.”

*************

I cannot remember the last time I hugged my mother. So I try and fail to hide my shock when she wraps her arms around me and plants kisses in my hair.

Her husband stands by, but the resemblance to Cassian is so uncanny. I can't look at him.

“What are you doing here? I thought your flight was in 20 minutes?”

“Not until now. There's been a delay due to…weather.” She rolls her eyes and glances back at her husband. He just stands there scrolling through his phone.

“Alex and I will be gone for quite a long time. So we were thinking and…we think you should get a job.”

We? Since when did he start making decisions for me?

“Mom…”

“Just hear me out, cupcake.” She rubs my arms and I force myself not to flinch.

“You're fresh out of college, and it's only a matter of time before you start making bad decisions. This is a great start! Cassian will teach you the ropes and—”

“Cassian?” My throat clamps shut.

My mom blinks.

“Yeah. Isn't that great? Maybe you two will have this opportunity to finally get along. Sloane said you two were arguing.”

Sloane said. Alex said. Cassian said.

Suddenly everyone knows what I should do with my life?

“Mom, I don't…”

“This is not the time to be stubborn, Nina. This is your life we're talking about.”

“Yeah! And I've barely heard myself talking.” I don't mean to raise my voice, but I do.

My mom sighs, and I know what she's thinking. What a problem child. Lucas wouldn't argue with her. He'd just obey like a proper lap dog. That's why his life is perfect and mine is hell.

“Just…think about it. The pay is more than enough to move you out of this shit hole into a proper apartment. You and Jason can have a better life.”

There is no “Me and Jason”. You'd know that if you ever fucking asked.

“I will. Thanks mom.”

I won't. There's nothing to think about. It's already a done deal.

She hugs me again and I fight my recoil yet again.

Her perfume lingers as I watch her walk hand in hand into the night with her handsome salt and pepper husband.

I stand there until their car pulls into the street. Until my ankles ache from standing so still.

Cassian's voice filters into my head.

“See you soon, princess.”

This is him. This is all him.

Fuck me.

He meant every word.

He owns me now.

I'll never be free.

Somehow, I don't think I want to be.