Tension suffocated the room, swamping the area with Tess’s panic and my self-restraint. She backed up, seething, “You said I could be free. I took the initiative.”

I dragged my hands over my face, scrubbing hard against the headache, grime, and severely tested discipline. There would be no breaking her. She was too damn strong. I had to hope my second idea would work better than my first. It would also test every inch of my self-control.

You’re tempting fate. Don’t do it.

Ignoring myself, I growled, “You didn’t ask permission. You think you can get what you want without asking?”

Tess pressed her lips together, not saying a word.

Scowling, I stalked toward her, crowding her against the wall. Her eyes flared, dancing with panic and anger. I pressed my body against hers, shivering with how good she felt. Every inch of my erection throbbed, digging into her belly. I lost my thoughts, my decency, my f**king human spirit.

Her stomach rose and fell with uneven breaths; her delectable curves tempted me to hell.

Take her. No one would know. Just one thrust. Just one release.

My c**k became possessed. Every rub of her, no matter how gentle, was enough to send me into full-body convulsions.

I needed to come. Badly. It tainted my every thought, made it that much harder to stay sane.

Tess looked up, glaring deep into my soul. “You’re a traitor. A liar. And a thief.”

I backed away, unable to ignore the churning in my gut and overwhelming pressure in my balls. Why had she said that—what did she see?

Tess moved quickly, dashing to the door.

Goddammit.

In a quick strike, I planted myself in front of her, barricading the exit.

She glowered, then in a totally defiant move, ripped my shirt off her body, and threw it in my face.

I shoved it away, breathing hard, willing myself to keep control.

Christ, she was f**king amazing. Lean muscles, tight stomach, beautiful full tits. “What the hell are you doing to me?” I groaned.

Shit. I shouldn’t have said that.

Tess didn’t seem to notice; she planted her hands on her na**d hips, hissing, “You were wrong to bring me back. You should’ve left me alone. You’d won. Don’t you get it?” Taking a step closer, she accented every move, sashaying her hips, seducing me with every f**king twitch.

“I’d lost myself. I’d turned my master’s life into a misery. You’d won!” Her head bowed, her gaze flickering down my chest. There was nothing weak or coy about her now, it was complete steel and rebellion.

She looked up through hooded eyes. “But now…” One step closer. Another. “Now, I’m beginning to remember.”

My entire body froze; my c**k grew ever harder. She stopped a breath away; the tip of her finger stabbed me in the solar plexus. “I’m remembering how to fight.” The flash in her eyes unravelled me. My knees buckled, stealing control just for a moment before I forced myself to stand tall.

The headache I’d been fighting crashed over me with blades, daggers, and needles. “Don’t touch me.” I cleared my throat, hating how my voice cracked with heavy lust. Touch me. Fuck me. Bend over and let me sink inside your sweet, sweet cunt.

“Oh, poor you.” She pouted, taunting me. “Big bad Leather Jacket doesn’t want me to touch him.” Her mouth twisted as she slapped a hand on my na**d shoulder, sending a bonfire of want through my blood.

Fuck…this wouldn’t end well.

I loved that she stood up to her nightmares and seemed to be winning. I loved that by standing up to me, I could change the theme of her dreams by backing down, eradicating the horror forever.

What I didn’t love was the unforgiving need making my brain bleed and teeth turn to dust in my mouth. Just a little longer.

I curled my hands so hard my short nails punctured flesh, growing slippery with blood.

Not moving muscle, I ordered, “Get in the bath.”

One thing.

Just one thing left to do to shatter what I believed to be the main issue. Then I’d be free. My job would be over, and I could run like the f**king animal I was.

When Tess didn’t move, I towered to my full height, glowering into her eyes. “Get. In. the. Fucking. Bath.”

Tess cowered, the strength spluttered and fizzed. She took a hesitant step toward it.

Then iron replaced her bones, slamming her to a halt. She stood regal and proud and entirely f**king na**d making my throat close up with how much I wanted to hurt her.

“No. Fuck you.” With a roar, she flew at me. Her palm slapped my face, sending my head snapping sideways.

And that was it.

I was done.

Control snapped.

Sanity slipped.

Needs roared to life.

My hand came up, wrapping around her throat. So, so breakable. “How about I f**k you? Then we’ll see who walks away.” I threw her against the wall, sliding her upward so her feet dangled off the ground. She weighed nothing. Absolutely nothing compared to the monster’s fury.

Tess sliced at my hands with her nails, choking in my hold. “You always were pathetic. Making up for your lack of cock.” Tess’s hands suddenly stopped fighting me, dropping to squeeze my erection.

I swayed; my forehead crashed against the tiled wall.

No. No. Yes. Yes.

The monster tore at my brain.

Headache.

Lust.

Need.

I shoved my h*ps into her hand, making her cry out in pain. Her cries made me pant for more—made me f**king delirious.

Her eyes popped wide. “So you do have a cock. You must’ve had cosmetic surgery, you bastard, because when you raped Blonde Angel you were infested with spiders and the size of my little finger.”

Confusion collared the beast and I blinked. Holy shit, I’d been so close. She didn’t see me. She didn’t know it was me. And I refused to take her when she was so far out of my reach—so removed from the truth.

Her hand squeezed my cock, deliberately hurting. But I was beyond pain now. I wanted pain. I wanted her to punish me, so I could come so f**king violently I’d pass out. My vision went black.

Not yet. You’re so close. Get it together.

Somehow, I did the hardest thing in my life.

Dropping her, I kicked her away, almost doubling over with the need lacerating my blood.

“I told you. Don’t f**king touch me.” I had to finish this. Now.

Even sprawled on cold tiles, lost in a sea of darkness, Tess glowed like a cosmos or brand new galaxy. She looked fresh and completely unbroken. She licked her lips, saying in the coldest, strongest voice I’d ever heard. “You know what I just realized? I’m not scared of you anymore. So f**k off and leave me alone.”