Doll Face

by Sadie Grubor

  At his rough touch, my body flares to life. Parting my lips, I inhale and lean back into him. Below the surface of my skin, a slow burn begins, seeking release from the confines of my flesh.

  Felix had drawn a reaction, a coaxed one, but this man calls to me, luring every deep dark desire from within.

  The heat of his mouth caresses my ear, encompassing me in a cocoon of want.

  "Who are you?" The words stroke my lobe, and I close my eyes, trying to battle the response my body has to him.

  At my silence, Saint releases my shoulder, his large hand sliding over my chest and collaring my neck.

  "Who the fuck are you?" He accentuates the question with a flex of his fingers.

  The briefest bite of pain shoots through me, and I gasp, reaching up to grab his arms with both hands. Fear swirls with a deadly combination of need. The darkness seeps through the cracks in my armor, and I arch against him.

  He stiffens, releasing the hold on my throat, and the movement is enough to push the desires back down.

  Shoving at his arms, I twist out of his grip and face him. Even in the dim lighting, his hazel eyes gleam. It's both scary and enticing. His eyes roam over me, taking in every part slowly and deliberately, allowing me a moment to study the dangerous man in front of me.

  His dark brown hair is cut close to his scalp around the sides, but left a bit longer on top. High cheekbones, strong jaw, and an angular nose give him a severe but handsome face. A broad chest and muscular shoulders fill out the undoubtedly expensive gray suit, and I'm sure the white, button-down shirt protests the flex of his biceps. He's over a head taller than my five-foot-seven stature. He's attractive—extremely attractive—but it's the fierce dark aura surrounding him that sends normal, sane people running.

  I'm clearly not normal, or sane, because it's this I respond to the most. Even now, I want to offer myself up as a sacrifice to the danger and sin I sense in him.

  Snapping his eyes back to mine, I'm caught once again in his allure. Like a practiced predator, his gaze distracted me from the hand reaching out to surround my throat.

  At the warning squeeze, I grab his wrist and tug. Fear rushes through me, washing away all the other unwanted feelings.

  Leaning down, he brings his face less than an inch from mine, and growls, "I won't ask you again."

  I'm trapped and vulnerable—something I've fought so hard not to be. And this man comes right in and destroys all the careful protections I set in place. Pushing down the fear, I let anger and desperation surge. Channeling all of it, I release his wrist, fist my hands together, and give an upward thrust. My double fist meets his arm. He's solid muscle, but my action caught him off guard.

  Using all my weight, I force myself into his chest, and he stumbles back. It's not much, but I take the opportunity to grab for the door handle.

  A band of hard muscle wrenches me back by the waist. Opening my mouth, I prepare to scream, but a large, calloused hand seals my lips shut.

  Lifting me off my feet, he turns and carries me farther into the room. Digging at his hand with my fingertips, I try to free my mouth, but the damn gloves won't allow me to find purchase on his skin.

  "You can scream all you want," he rasps into the side of my head, "but no one will come for you."

  He releases my mouth, and I scream and I kick back into his leg with the heel of my stiletto.

  "Fuck," he groans, dropping me down, and I turn, kicking off my heels, preparing to make my stand. I've fought for too long to survive. There's no way I'm letting them take me out without a fight. Fists up, I brace myself for the battle of my life.

  Saint

  Fuck if she isn't a ferocious little thing.

  When Sketch called, instead of using the laptop to send over the information he found on Mei, I grew even more suspicious. But then he revealed his findings. Not much surprises Sketch, but the mystery surrounding this woman has riled his curiosities. His interest in her uncharacteristically annoys me.

  "You're a dead girl," I state.

  Lifting her chin, I watch her rise to a challenge, and it's fucking glorious.

  "You can try, but I won't make it easy," she informs.

  Straightening to my full height, I remove my sport coat and toss it onto a chair. Her eyes follow the action, as well as when I remove my cufflinks and roll up the sleeves of my shirt.

  "No, sweetheart, you are a dead girl," I explain.

  The slight flinch at the words wouldn't be noticeable to an average person, but I'm not normal. I catch the furrow of her brow, tightening of her lips, and slight jerk of her body before she puts a blank face in place.

  Grinning, I step closer. Her fists tighten, and she squares her shoulders, ready to fight me. Reaching out, she slaps away my hand, but I lash out, undeterred, grabbing both her fists in mine. Surprising me, she spins, bringing her extended leg out and around. Slapping her leg away, I shove her face first into the wall.

  "So, I'll ask one more time. Who are you?" I press, way too curious for the answer. I crave the response, the truth from her red lips.

  An elbow lands into my side, knocking the wind from me, but not enough for me to release her. "If that's how you want to play it," I growl, using my forearm to hold her tighter.

  With my free hand, I reach into the waist of my pants. The cold steel in my hand, I lean in close to her body. Her scent fills my nose, a mixture of earthy vanilla, musk, and fear.

  The creature stirs, eager to be set free. Releasing the blade next to her creamy skin, my cock twitches, wanting in on the action.

  Her mouth parts on a gasp and she inhales sharply as I press the cold metal to her face. Careful not to break the skin, I run the tip over her cheek and down the side of her neck.

  She leans her body into the blade and tilts her head to allow better access, shocking me again. An unfamiliar feeling surges inside, the dark merging with the desire to fuck her. My cock hardens painfully, forcing my hips to thrust against her round ass for relief.

  Closing my eyes, I hold the blade flat against her shoulder and press. Her moan fills my ears, drowning the need to know who she is and what game she's playing.

  Burying my face into the back of her neck, I inhale deep. Her heady vanilla scent isn't like cupcakes and sunshine. No, it's a thick, dark vanilla, like it was found in the depths of a decaying forest.

  Forehead pressed to the back of her head, I twist my neck and open my eyes. With the flick of one finger, the blade pierces her skin, and her body melts against me as she pushes her ass back, giving my cock the friction is seeks.

  One crimson drop forms, dangling as precariously as my control. It's so unlike me. And I'm sure she still fears me, but she likes it—she's getting off on the fear, my steel.

  The drop of blood slides down the side of the blade, and my control snaps. Bringing my mouth to the puncture of her shoulder, I lick, and she gasps as my tongue trails over her shoulder, up her neck, and to her ear.

  "What are you?" I ask on a strangled breath before pulling back. My eyes dart to the trail of red along her skin, and I spin her around, forcing her back to the wall. Knife to her throat, I grip her face in my other hand, lift it to mine, and study her.

  Fear and lust sparkle in her eyes, but I want more. I want the familiar darkness hidden deep within. I dive deeper, hunting, searching, waiting. Glittering like an oasis for demons—for my demons—the black soul rises, her eyes turning darker, more pronounced. The creature inside me grows, sliding beneath my flesh until it's presence seeps from my pores.

  Control gone, I remove the knife from her throat, and cut the button of my pants and the front of my shirt, running it along my skin. Her eyes follow the blade, widening in both horror and curiosity as I break through my skin. When she parts her lips, I press the bloodied steel to her mouth, silencing her.

  Nostrils flaring, her green eyes snap from my chest to my face. The right side of her mouth twitches upward as her fingers touch my stomach, making my muscles jump. Her right hand slides up, fl
attening over my sternum and pushing against me. Unmoved by her shove, I frown down at her, and her tongue peeks out between her lips, touching the blade while her hand curves around my wrist.

  Pushing once more, I allow her to remove the knife from her mouth and guide me back until she sits me in the chair holding my jacket. She steps closer, and I part my legs for her to stand between my knees.

  The blood-stained silk of her glove glides up and around my neck. Tilting my head back, I look up at this seductress. Her eyes closed, she swipes her tongue over her stained lips, and my cock throbs against the confines of my clothing. My demons burn within every cell of my body, ready to combust with the urge to devour her, but it's not the typical need to maim and destroy. His hunger is for ownership, possession. He's found the solace of another broken soul. Not one that will stifle his need, but revel in our dark oblivion.

  Wrapping my left arm around her right thigh, I pull her closer. Gripping my switchblade in my other hand, I run it up the inside of her leg and watch her head fall back as a moan leaves her mouth. The hand at my neck disappears as she brings it to her chest and runs it up over her body. The blood-stained trail against her creamy skin unlocks the need to devour her.

  Slipping the blade beneath the edge of her black panties, I slice through the flimsy material, exposing the smooth, bare skin of her pussy. Burying my face between her thighs, I inhale. She's so aroused, her cunt so wet and ready for everything she doesn't know I'll want. Done denying myself, I slide my tongue past her softest part.

  "Shit," she moans, hands coming to my shoulders, and I delve deeper, my tongue flicking and twisting over the most sensitive part of her. I push my hand against her ass, squeezing, drawing her closer, and she whimpers at the contact. A low hum releases as I remove my mouth and slide the flat side of my knife over her, revealing the wettest and pinkest part of her. The heavy thrum of the blood rushing through my veins consumes me. On a growl, I shove my tongue against her once more, licking and sucking the sensitive flesh. She thrusts against my mouth, wanting more, seeking to extinguish the same ache my cock feels.

  Sliding my hand over her ass, I bring my thumb down until I feel the wet opening. Leaving my fingers splayed on her ass, my middle finger slipping deep between the globes, I press the tip against her tight hole.

  She jerks forward, but relaxes when I don't penetrate.

  Middle finger pressing against her asshole, thumb plunged inside her cunt, and my mouth sucking at her clit, she rocks faster, harder against me.

  Her hands claw at my head, trying to find purchase in the short strands, and she screams, "Oh fuck!"

  Dropping my knife, I palm the back of her left thigh and do every deviant thing I want—starting with devouring her until she comes against my mouth.

  As she starts to come down from her orgasm, I release her legs. Back on both feet again, she sways unsteadily.

  Taking her by the hips, I fist the black satin dangling from her hip. Her body jostles from the force it takes to rip the panties off.

  I palm behind her knees and pull her between my legs until my nose brushes her stomach. The smell of her cum mixed with my saliva fills my nose.

  The door to the room opens, and Mei tries to pull away, but I hold tight.

  "Room's taken," I growl without looking at the door.

  "I never took you for a sloppy seconds kind of man, Dante," Felix's voice cuts through me.

  Straightening my spine, the thought of him touching Mei blurs my vision. Jealousy isn't something I feel often, but like any other emotion someone as fucked up as me experiences, God help the person responsible.

  Mei's whimper clears my vision. Her hands grip at my wrists, trying to remove my hands—hands I'd been digging deep enough into her skin to leave bruises.

  Releasing her legs, I grab both her wrists and yank her down to me.

  "Did you fuck him?" I ask through clenched teeth.

  "She's not worth it. Let her go, Dante," Felix orders.

  Snapping my head toward him, I narrow my eyes. He leans against the wall, Nico at his back. The arrogance he displays eats away at the anger and irrational jealousy I already feel. I'm not sure what his game is, but he's purposely forcing my hand.

  "I didn't fuck him," her words are just above a whisper, but enough to lessen the rage boiling inside me, though it doesn't lessen my need to put Felix in his place.

  "Undo my belt," I order without taking my eyes from Felix. I don't miss the way his body tenses or the hesitation from Mei when I release her wrists. Turning my attention back to her, I raise a brow.

  "Unless you'd rather go to Felix," I challenge. "The choice is yours, sweetheart."

  Burying the rage, nausea, and bite of unfamiliar jealousy at just the mention of her choosing Felix, I settle back into the leather chair. My limbs want to lash out and hold her against me, but I rest them on the arms of the chair, giving the perfect example of relaxed calm.

  "Are you sure you want to do this?" Felix asks, his question surely accompanied with a smirk.

  "Make your choice, Mei," I stress the name I know doesn't belong to her.

  "Yes, Mei," his saying her name makes darkness claw inside me, "choose carefully. I can see he already introduced you to just the tip of his predilections."

  My fingers twitch, wanting to wrap around the handle of my blade and take it to his throat.

  Mei's eyes glance down her body, taking in the pink and red streaks across her chest. When she lifts her head, she focuses on Felix, and I clench my jaw.

  Eyes still on him, she sinks to the floor, the scrape of metal against the tile breaking the silence before she stands back to her full height. Not breaking eye contact, she slips the knife between her breasts and slices the material of her bra. The cups fall away, baring herself to both of us.

  Dropping her arms, she lets the material join her ruined panties at her feet. Then, in a flash of movement, the knife is pointed at my face.

  Felix chuckles, thinking he's victorious in this standoff, until Mei brings her gaze to mine.

  The sinister look in her eyes and twisted half grin on her face takes my breath away. Grabbing the blade of the knife in her left hand, she releases the handle, extending it for me to take.

  I wrap my fingers around the base, but instead of letting go, she fists the sharp edges and yanks her hand along them. Blood immediately soaks the silk of her palm, spreading through the fabric along her fingers.

  "The fuck," Nico exclaims.

  "Christ," Felix growls, knowing he's lost. "She's as fucked up as he is."

  Stepping closer, her knees touch the edge of the cushion between my legs. She leans down and presses her bloody palm against my chest. My mouth parts on a relieved sigh, and I begin to relax, but she's not finished.

  Straddling my lap, she slips her palm down my body and into my pants.

  It's wet and slick against my aching flesh. Each stroke makes me grow harder, rousing the demons back to the surface. All my depraved urges gather in preparation to possess the woman before us.

  Grabbing her hips, I lift her over me, and she releases my cock from its confines, positioning me at her entrance.

  "What are you?" I ask again.

  Regardless of the answers I seek, the ones I will get, it doesn't change the fact that she just publicly handed herself over to me. She's mine, no matter who, or what, she ends up being.

  "A curse," she gasps, taking me into her body.

  "Fucking hell," Nico rasps from the doorway.

  "Fuck you, Dante!" Felix exclaims. "You can have the whore," he says, followed by heavy footsteps and a slamming door.

  Taking the wrist of her injured hand, I press it to her chest and draw it across her skin. The dark crimson stain taunts the creature, making him want more.

  Wrapping my arms around her, I guide her up and down my length faster, harder, the force causing her to bury her face in my neck and scream. Fisting the hair at the back of her head, I pull her face to mine and watch the orgasm form an O on
her lips as her skin flushes and eyes lose focus.

  It's fucking glorious watching her come undone on my cock. So much so, my release pulses at the base of my dick to the point of pain before exploding through me and into her.

  Long moments later, breathing back to normal, I pull her off me and place her back on her feet. Naked, streaked in our blood, and cum dripping down her thigh, the feelings of ownership and possession creep back in and take hold.

  Standing from the chair, I tuck my dick back into my pants and reach for my jacket. I grab my cell phone, tap the screen, and put it to my ear.

  My eyes find Mei and watch the discomfort set in. Her palm has definitely started throbbing by now, and as hard as we fucked, she's probably sore between her legs too.

  "Yes, sir?" Jimmy answers.

  "Your boss reassign you yet?" I inquire.

  Felix likes to throw his power around when he loses, so I'm sure he's informed his lackeys they no longer do my bidding.

  "We've been given a new job," he responds, dutiful and politically correct.

  "Very well, but if you share any information about her, I'll be paying you a special visit," I warn.

  Mei's wide eyes come to mine as a visible shiver slides over her body.

  "Do you understand?" I press at his silence.

  "Y-Yes," he stutters.

  "Pass the information on to your partner as well," I state before ending the call.

  Shaking out my jacket, I step closer to Mei and wrap it around her naked body. She relaxes enough to offer a minimal smile of thanks.

  "Collect your things," I order, watching her tense.

  Brushing a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear, I slide my hand to the back of her neck and bring her chest to mine.

  "We still have a lot to discuss, dead girl," I remind her, smirking at the determination lining her face.

  "Go get your things," I instruct, motioning to the door. "I'll collect you shortly, so don't take forever."

  "Collect me?" she asks, brow furrowed.

  "Yes," is the only response I give.