Page 84 of Scarred Ruin

Which was why the small bathroom was unlocked, the cool air refreshing as I walked inside and quickly locked the door. I took a deep breath as I moved toward the sink, studying my reflection in the mirror. I’d whipped together a costume in no time with Hope’s assistance and I had to admit the outfit was pretty darn sexy.

There’d been no sign of a single soldier.

At least I could take a few minutes to myself. Maxsim was many things from exciting to having the ability to push me professionally. He was also even more annoying than before. How was that even possible?

After using the bathroom, I adjusted the mask and took a deep breath. Why did I suddenly feel a swath of tingles? At least there was no way he could get inside.

Famous last words.

There was no warning other than the vibrations dancing down every inch of my aching body.

Maxsim simply walked in with the force of Mother Nature, his eyes falling on me from the doorway.

“I think you’re in the wrong place,” I told him. “And how did you get in?”

First, he held up a glorified and very dangerous-looking hunting knife, twisting the blade in the dim lighting and by his expression, I could easily tell he was pleased with himself.

Then he closed and locked the door behind him. “No. I am not. I’m exactly where I need to be.”

“And just where is that?”

“Taking the woman I own.”

CHAPTER 17

Maxsim

“I’m not for sale,” Isabel shot back.

“No, you are not since I already took possession weeks ago.” I moved closer while slipping my knife into my back pocket.

She turned to face me, still crowding the counter. “You’re insufferable.”

“And you’re very disobedient.” She’d been the only person other than Sergei who’d ever openly defied me. Granted, in escaping my soldiers to head for the bathroom, she’d obviously known I’d follow. Perhaps she’d even been hoping that I did.

That was different than what she’d said before. Normal. There was no easy definition as I’d been born into a life that was entirely different than her own. There’d been few opportunities to live my life, including in my childhood, that were similar to the picturesque setting she’d described.

Maybe I was being selfish in attempting to drag her into mine.

For tonight, it was a topic that would go unanswered as I had no intention of allowing her to escape.

I’d never felt quite so barbaric in my life.

I’d made statements over the last few weeks I would never have considered. Not because I wasn’t a possessive man by nature, but because I wouldn’t have considered announcing my intentions to anyone under any circumstances.

But this woman had managed to put a spell on me, my behavior completely unhinged.

As I crowded her space, she held her almost haughty expression. “I didn’t leave.”

“You eluded my men.” Very deliberately, I placed one hand on the counter next to her then the other, slowly lowering my torso, which caused her to lean back toward the mirror.

“They had their chance.” Her words were breathless, creating an intense ache in my already aroused dick.

As usual, the heat between us was explosive. While I’d wanted to hate being coerced into coming out on Halloween of all holidays, I’d found myself enjoying the moment.

But not nearly as much as spending time with such a seductive woman. “Now, I have mine.”

She pressed her hand against my chest as if she truly believed either that or anything would stop me from taking what I wanted.