Page 55 of Savage Desires

"Do you like it?" I jump at Kisten's voice. "Sorry, love. I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's okay. I didn't hear you come in."

He walks up behind me and wraps his arms around me. I tilt my head to look up at him, making the towel wrapped around my hair fall off. He leans in and kisses me below my ear. "I should've known you'd go right for the art supplies."

"It's too much. I only need a pencil and a notebook."

He spins me in his arms and hooks a finger under my chin to raise my eyes to his. "It's not too much. You should always have the best."

I rise up on my tiptoes and brush my lips against his cheek. "Thank you, Kisten. I just don't want anyone wasting money on me."

He lets out a low growl and grips me tight around the waist. "Nothing is wasted on you. Do you hear me? You deserve good things. I'm going to spoil you so rotten I'll have to spank it out of you."

My eyes widen, and my core tingles at his words. I shouldn't like the thought of being hit, but Kisten taking me over his knee and spanking me with one of his big hands makes me feel hot. This whole arousal thing is crazy. After last night, I feel like my body is supercharged. Having him on top of me should've made me nervous because he's so much stronger. He's already proven I'm no match for his strength, but I'm not scared of him.

He won't hurt me even though he's dangerous and capable of violence. He's not that kind of man. He's a protector and would never hurt an innocent person. As sure as I am that he's no danger to me, I'm equally sure he's going to make everyone involved in the trafficking ring suffer. A dark part of me can't wait to see that side of him come out. I'm almost afraid of how excited I am about making them pay. The idea of making the people who stole my life bleed is intoxicating. I can't wait.

"Beauty, don't look at me like that. I'm a man on the edge and trying to do what's right for you," he says, looking pained.

The fact that he wants me and is holding back makes me want to push him to see how far I can go before he breaks. I turn my attention back to my new art supplies instead of poking the beast. Wanting to test him and actually testing him are two different things. I don't think I'm ready to see what happens. With how my body reacts to him, I'm not sure how long I'll be able to behave myself. Or how long I'll want to behave.

Kisten empties the clothing bags with way more clothes than I need. Everything is high quality, and I can tell the fabrics are all soft. No more ugly, itchy dresses with stains. It's surreal to know this is my life now. He picks out a light purple sleeveless, flowy top and a dark pair of skinny jeans. I finger the shirt, enjoying the silkiness of it. He sets out a pair of pink cotton panties and a matching bra. I frown at the bra. It won't work with a shirt with spaghetti straps. I haven't worn a bra aside from the slutty ones I was forced to wear in years. Honestly, it doesn't appeal to me at all.

I drop the towel and reach for the panties. Kisten hisses out a breath when I bend to pull them on. I can feel his eyes on me, and I love it. It's craziness. I've lost my mind. That's the only answer for why I'm teasing him. It's like poking a bear and waiting to see if he's going to wake up and lash out. I'm titillated by thinking about what he will do when he finally hits the breaking point.

I put on the jeans and then pull the silky top on. It slides across my nipples, making me shiver. After last night, I'm more aware of my body than ever. I've become so used to pain that pleasure feels foreign. I could quickly get addicted to feeling that kind of pleasure.

Kisten goes to the bathroom and returns a few moments later with the hairbrush. He sits on the bed and pulls me down in front of him. My insides are all warm and melty at his care. He takes his time brushing out every knot, making sure not to hurt me. I close my eyes and enjoy being taken care of. When my hair is untangled and lying smooth down my back, he sets the brush aside and wraps his arms around me. I relax against him, boneless.

My stomach growls, making him chuckle. "Let's go get breakfast, and then we can head out."

I start to put my things back in the bags, Kisten stops me with a gentle touch. "Annie will pack up your things."

"I can do it…"

He gives me a stern look, but I can see the affection in his eyes. "I know you can, but Annie will do it so we can go eat."

I nod even though I don't like giving Annie more work when it's such a small task. I follow Kisten downstairs. I have a lot more energy today. A few good meals and decent sleep have done wonders. It won't be long until I'm back to full strength.

"Is there somewhere I can train?" I ask.

"Train?"

"Yeah. I know how to fight, but it's been a long time since I've been able to train."

"Where did you learn to fight?" he asks.

"My dad taught me," I murmur. A pang of sadness hits me, but I push it aside. I can't focus on those feelings right now. I need to help take care of the traffickers, then I can make decisions about my dad.

"He did a good job," Kisten says. "You fought hard. Considering how malnourished and weak you were… I can imagine you'll be a force to be reckoned with when you're back to a hundred percent."

I smile at his compliment. "I was the best female fighter at the gym. Even bested some of the light-weight guys."

He laughs. "You took down grown men as a teenager?"

I raise a brow. "Do you think I'm lying?"

He pulls me close as we enter the dining room. "No, beauty. I think you're fucking amazing. I believe you."