Snake did everything he could to control his breathing, yet he panted as he walked out the front door, desperately needing air. This had been entirely out of his scope of reason, pushing hard against his very sanity. What the fuck was going on and who was trying to get to him? Everyone involved was dead or in jail. Or so he thought.

Beads of sweat were already pouring down the back of his neck, pooling into his shirt. Over ten years had gone by and he’d been left alone, finding a new life. He’d never looked back. Not once. He’d shelved the ugliness so far in the back of his mind that he was no longer that person.

As he heard laughter coming from a nearby car, he found himself stumbling to get the hell away. Sucking in and gulping air, he headed straight for the jeep, fumbling to stick the keys into the lock. He looked all around him, half expecting to see someone waiting in the shadows. There was no way he was going to get frazzled over this. Yanking the envelope from his pocket, he tipped at the flap, dragging the contents into the dim interior light.

The small wire notebook was ripped, the front cover scuffed by years of usage, the pages inside stained with yellow, the stale stench was cigar and cigarette smoke. As he flipped the pages, he knew what he was seeing. “Fuck.” The past could never be denied. He slapped his head on the headrest then fingered the envelope. There was more.

His hand shaking, he extracted the remaining items. The photographs were in black and white and taken from a distance, no doubt with a telephoto lens. The pictures had also been taken years ago. Years. He pressed the back of his hand over his mouth as he dropped them, the glossies, falling onto the seat, dropping to the floor.

He closed his eyes, counting to ten until the images were snuffed from his mind. The plan had been in motion since he’d left. The bastards had been planning on ruining him from the day he’d walked out. But who was in charge? Who would have not only the balls but the understanding of what to do in order to get to him? Then the level of patience was… Someone was watching him, waiting for him to break his silence, his vow. Yes, he’d left, disappearing but he’d kept the secrets. The lies. Katherine would never know how apropos her words truly were.

God, the fucking vow. How and why had he allowed himself to get mixed up in such a life? Boredom? His hunger for danger? There was no way of telling, but he was a different man now and would continue to be. Slamming his hand on the dashboard, he tried to figure out a plan. If there was someone remaining on the island, it would be a matter of time before both he and Katherine were found. He refused to allow that to happen.

Protection. You bet that was his next move. He grabbed the pictures, shoving them into the envelope. Leaving the island wasn’t an option. Alerting Katherine would only mean destroying what little control over the situation he had left. Logan and Tyler deserved better. He pressed his hand against his chest. However, there was a scenario that could endanger what he held most dear.

Grabbing his phone, he slid his finger across the screen. “Damn it!” There was absolutely zero reception. Laughing, he held the phone to his head. The bastards had him right where they wanted him. And how in the hell was he going to warn Logan? What a freaking mess.

He yanked the envelope from the seat, noticing a slip of paper. As he pulled at the single sheet, reading the words, he realized he was going to have to make a difficult choice.

Your time is up…

* * *

“Just ask for what you want…”

The words remained furrowing in the back of her mind all through dinner as well as the ride back to the villa. Katherine had never been so incensed as well as turned on in her entire life. The nerve of the man was outrageous, but he’d pegged her completely. How had he seen through her so easily? Even her husband hadn’t gotten close enough to her to even notice she craved a firm touch, a hard spanking. Hell, John had even laughed at her suggestions of doing anything kinky.

Well, then again, he was happy dominating everyone else but her and the buxom blondes, brunettes and every other color of hair had been more than eager to do his biddings, in pleasure as well as business. She couldn’t believe she’d actually fallen in love with the jerk-off.

Nights spent fantasizing, hungering to the point she’d lost sleep hadn’t prepared her for the level of raging desire building. The crescendo was coming and the excitement keeping her on edge. Amazing. She rubbed her eyes, trying to think of anything else. He continued to push her buttons, shoving her out of her comfort zone. He was doing everything to drive her to the very limit. Damn it! The way he drove around the curves, pushing the jeep to its limits was dangerous and oh, so delicious.

She’d been able to tell something was bothering him. He certainly wasn’t the kind of man who was going to talk about his problems, his fears.

“You are an interesting man, Snake Driscoll. I can’t help but wonder what you’re hiding.” She stated the words with conviction then laughed and could tell he wasn’t taking the bait. There was no doubt she should have taken more time finding out who this man was. What she’d done, the decision and challenge to come here was flippant and without thought.

“We need to be careful,” Snake said casually, his eyes never leaving the road.

The few words broke her out of her revelry. “Why?”

“You’ll need to trust me, Katherine. There are various people from my past that would not think kindly of what we’re doing here.”

The statement didn’t make any sense. “I don’t understand.”

“Let’s hope that you won’t need to find out.”

“Why don’t you tell me?”

The look he gave her was cold. Calculating.

Her thoughts shifted to the man at the restaurant. She’d seen Pepe’s expression, one of concern as well as raw fear. Why? And what connection did Snake have with the man? Snake was certainly a man of mystery as well as distinction, hiding secrets much like her own. Something was off. Her gut told her as much. What was going on? All the information she’d been given suggested a hidden past, but why was he bothered by Pepe, a mere restauranteur? Then again, why had he gone to the restaurant in the first place?

What she refused to tell him was that she’d followed him inside the restaurant. She’d hidden and hadn’t been able to hear much of the conversation, but what she did hear had been enough to realize his past was catching up to him. She’d noticed the envelope, the way he’d reacted as if terrified to find out the contents. However, she’d selected the island location. Until just two days before, Snake had no idea where they were going.

Then again, neither had she. When he’d slapped his hand on the door leading out of the restaurant, she’d retreated to the table, praying no one, especially Snake, had seen her.

“Have it your way but we’re sticking to my plans.” She kept the demand even.

Snake merely chuckled.

My God, the man was maddening. Their conversation during dinner had been easy, albeit no additional mention was made of her dark cravings. He’d drawn the line in the sand as he’d intended to do. Now, she had to decide what, if anything she wanted. Rubbing her eyes, she realized she was completely out of sorts.

When he’d parked the car, he stormed inside, as if her presence was no longer wanted. The dichotomy of the man was infuriating.

She dropped her purse in the bedroom, contemplating getting ready for bed, but the night air and now calm waters called to her. She was far too out of sorts to sleep. What had she gotten herself into? For a few seconds, she thought about calling her contact, but from this moment on, she wanted nothing to do with him. The thought was riveting. Free from another tether, noose around her neck. He’d been a source for relieving pain, the kind neither alcohol or food had soothed. Now, Snake. A man who knew far too much about her yet not enough to understand the constant terror. She had to be losing her mind.

He was nowhere to be seen as she grabbed another glass of wine and headed outside, walking down the back stairs and onto the beach. The sand between her toes, the light breeze was invigorating, quieting the demons bursting at the seams.

Snake had allowed her to speak about her father, something she almost never did. Even when a tenacious reporter asked her questions, grilling her on her knowledge regarding the oceans, she shied away from allowing them to know her entire background. She’d been proud of her father when she was a small child, looking up to him with reverence.

But his actions toward her mother, cold and insensitive had created hostility between then, forcing her to choose between her mother and father. Her decision had been made one terrible night, during a wretched storm that she’d never forget. Everything after that had been too difficult to face, driving her into a different place in her mind, allowing her imagination to grow.

Even her beloved ocean life, dolphins and sharks, had been unable to provide any comfort. That’s when she’d turned to aspects she believed she could control in her life – the law. Preventing those who were innocent from going to jail. Then something had gone terribly wrong. Prosecuting vicious criminals had been a mistake.

She held her arm as she walked closer to the water, sipping the wine. Nothing could have given her insight as to the occurrence that had left her almost entirely broken. There were no answers to questions that continued to rattle her mind, provide her with nightmares when she least expected them. She swallowed hard as she stood by the water, allowing the foam to crawl across her feet. Tingles trickled down her spine and the back of her legs and she had to wonder whether it was because of her past or because of Snake’s words.

Either way, she was ill equipped to handle them. She’d worked too long and hard to shove away remnants of her past, including her father and his hold over her. What few knew was how controlling he was, dominating in a manner that required obedience from both she and her mother. If he’d been home more often, there was no doubt her mother would have divorced him. Instead, the proud and amazing woman had endured.

Katherine studied the moon, the way the clouds shifted in beautiful formations over the glowing surface. She could still dream, preferring her imagination to real life. Holding up the glass, she knew she was a product of her father’s harsh tactics, allowing her to become formidable. Yes, her work ethics were a mirror image. And now this. “Here’s to you, Daddy. May you rot in hell.”

“He can’t hurt you any longer.”

The huskiness of his voice, the way in which he made the statement gave her butterflies in her stomach. “Words said out of frustration.”

“Words said because you want nothing more than to be free from memories of the pain inflicted.” Snake kept his tone of voice low and even.

“How do you know he hurt me?”

“Because you refuse to be yourself.” Snake didn’t break the line of sight or attempt to come too close. He stood in the background, allowing her the comfort of knowing he wasn’t going to push.

Exhaling, she had no idea what to say but the statement was true enough. “He wasn’t able to control his moods, his anger and took it out on my mother and myself. A brilliant man who lost his very soul trying to find reasons to remain viable. In the end, he was a broken man, stripping everything good out of our family.”

“Don’t let his actions define you. If you do, you’ll never find happiness.”

“And what do you know about happiness?” Katherine heard the challenge in her voice. Why she felt the need to lash out was beyond her.

A slow breath escaped his mouth. “Don’t judge me, Katherine. I’ve lived several lifetimes, made horrific choices. There is no denying that fact. But what you think about me, whatever data you were given doesn’t tell the entire story. I found happiness once, but I lost everything that mattered to me. Everything.” He very slowly walked in her direction, his body tense, his breath sounds husky.

“Snake.” He leaned down, his face and lips so close that she parted her lips, waiting for his kiss. Her heart thumping, she closed her eyes, every part of her body shaking.

“And before you ask, what happened is entirely my fault, a damning decision that I’ll have to live with for the rest of my life.”

She heard the resignation in his voice, the profoundness of the meaning. There was no sound, but she knew he was walking away. “Wait. I’m sorry. Please don’t go. I’m not trying to pry.” When he said nothing, she turned around. He’d walked several additional feet down the beach, his hand in his pocket, his stance prone.

This was uncharacteristic of her, but she was alone with a man she barely knew in one of the most gorgeous places on earth. Perhaps they’d shared too many aspects of their life. Holding her breath, she started to walk back to the villa then knew exactly what she wanted to do. Her strides long, her breath stolen, she closed the distance until she flanked his side. “I don’t know why I feel this way around you, electric and so very alive. There’s no rhyme or reason to what I’m thinking but I do know what I want.”

He tipped his head toward the sky, remaining quiet.

“Maybe you do understand,” she whispered, her heart racing. “Maybe you don’t want to, but you do. We’re alike, you and I.”

Snake didn’t move, didn’t acknowledge.

“Damn it, Snake.” Touching his arm, she walked around him. Then she tugged, craving any kind of reaction. “I’m asking. No, I’m begging.”

Inhaling, he yanked her into his arms.

Startled, she dropped the wine glass, a single whimper pushing past her lips. “Oh, God, yes, I’m asking.”

He fisted her hair, jerking back her head, forcing her to look into his eyes. Grunting, he crushed her mouth with his, immediately thrusting his tongue inside. He rubbed her back, cupping her ass, his fingers squeezing, digging in. His actions were primal, as if he refused to hold back any longer.

Moaning into the kiss, she pressed the flats of her hands against his shoulders, remaining tense, but her pussy clenched, tingling and wet. She was alive, a rush of energy as well as adrenaline thwarting her rationality, pushing back any concept of fear of the unknown. This amazing, powerful man had broken the chains of steel.

Dipping her back, he ground his groin against her belly as the kiss became savage, his mouth and teeth gnashing against hers, his tongue entwining with hers.

Letting go, she fell into the moment of passion, her nipples aching, her body trembling from his touch. Every cell was on fire, every muscle straining for more as electricity coursed through her body. She wanted nothing more than to succumb to this man, to endure whatever pain or pleasure he desired, to give him the woman he so desperately needed.

Snake growled when he broke the kiss, his mouth sliding across her lips to her cheek then down the length of her neck. Biting down, he held the stance, his tongue dragging back and forth across her skin.

Katherine gripped his arms, her fingers digging into his shirt. She was trembling, the wind flicking across her skin, creating static, goosebumps. As he lifted the back of her dress, rubbing his hand along her naked buttocks, she rose onto her tiptoes and held the back of his neck. He was all muscular, his body carved, his cock throbbing against her.

Sliding his finger up and down the crack of her ass, he wiggled the tip between the folds of her ass cheeks, finding her dark hole.

Allowing a slow breath to escape, she opened her legs, the offer blatant. She was wet and hot all over, pussy juice trickling into her already soaked thong.

He licked down to her collarbone then used his teeth to pull away at the bodice of her dress, exposing her nipple. The single sound was a primitive growl, a call of ownership.

“Snake…” The word was husky, and she felt lightheaded, her pulse racing until she could see nothing but stars in front of her eyes. This was so incredible, so unexpected. Tensing, the moment he pushed his finger into her asshole, her legs threatened to give away. When he added a second finger, then a third, pushing deeper inside, her head lolled, she panted. Please. Take me. Fuck me. Use me. Her mind was swirling, thoughts racing back and forth, but there was something wrong, a tenseness creeping into her system. Please. Don’t. The same thing that happened almost every time.

After swirling the tip of his tongue around her nipple, he sucked, pulling the tender flesh between his teeth. He flexed and finger-fucked her asshole, thrusting in and out. Then seconds later, he pulled away, breaking the hold.

“What?” Struggling to remain standing, she had no idea what he was doing. She tottered forward, catching herself before pitching to the sand. “Wait. What did I do wrong?”

“Ask me for what you want,” he growled, the sound low and throaty. “This has to be your choice alone.”

“I did.” Then she realized that she hadn’t said the words, she hadn’t allowed him to know what she was thinking. Her brain muddled, she tried to find the right words.

Snake held up his hands and nodded before walking toward the house, his long legs pumping.

Sucking in her breath, she knew he would end this before anything happened if she didn’t completely let go, allow him to take full and utter control over her. This was the most difficult thing she’d done in so very long. To be free, to be the woman desperately begging for release would take the ultimate trust, the kind she was no longer certain she had.

But she did what she had to do, what she’d wanted to experience in so very long. She ran after him. “Wait.”

Stopping immediately, his breathing remained ragged, his chest heaving.

“I want…” God, this was so difficult. Years of bullshit. Years of being pinned under her father’s thumbs. Decades of doing the right thing, pretending she was somebody else. She was no longer that woman.

“Katherine. This is your decision. I’m not your enemy nor will I be a man you remember with hatred, loathing. I respect you too much to break you. But if you ask, you will follow my rules, my command. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

He closed his eyes.

“Yes, sir I do.” This was insane. This was ridiculous. This was… everything she’d ever wanted. All the pent-up desires, all the variations of the same woman came crashing together. “I want nothing more than to succumb to you. I want to feel the harsh moment of punishment, the requirement of obedience. I want to please you.” The words lingered, hovering around her as if in a vacuum. She’d only muttered them to herself, her fantasies, nights spent alone. Why this man? Why now?

Snake moved in front of her, cupping both sides of her face. “Then so be it.” Reaching down, he yanked her off the sand, cradling her against his body and kissing the top of her head. Seconds later, he walked up the set of stairs with purpose.

Katherine fell into a moment of peace, a blissful state as she shivered from his touch, his commanding voice. She felt so small in his arms, yet empowered by his strength, his desire.

When they were inside, he eased her onto her feet, remaining close, his massive hands rubbing down both sides of her face. “God, I want you.”

She cupped his hands, peppering his chin and cheeks with kisses. “I want you. Whatever you’re craving.”

“What do you need?”

The question was enthralling, leaving her wired, desire mixing with extreme trepidation. When she spoke, she realized how much her words sounded like a little girl, asking for redemption. “I want to be accepted.”

“And?” His eyes were nothing but blackened pools.

“I want… no, I need to be spanked. I need discipline. I need salvation.” The answer was almost practiced, said in her mind at least a thousand times. And for a few seconds, the world seemed to stop, memories of her childhood, the way her father had punished her for any wrongdoing, forcing her to face her need for discipline, rushed to the surface.

Nodding, he dropped his head until his lips just touched hers. “Remove your dress.” He released his hold, taking a step back.

The request was simple yet held such meaning. Swallowing hard, her fingers were stiff as she attempted to lift her dress, dragging the material up and over her shoulders. She remained shaking as she allowed it to fall from her fingers, following the drop as if the dress was the last remaining cloak, an unveiling of the woman inside. She noticed the way he watched her every move, his mouth pinched, his chest continuing to heave up and down.

Fumbling, she slipped her fingers under the thin elastic of her panties, sliding them down over her hips, allowing gravity to take them to the floor. Kicking them away, she folded her arms over her breasts, more embarrassed than she’d been with a man. But this was new and fresh. And, she was no longer hiding behind a veil.

Inhaling and holding his breath, he glanced up and down, as if sizing her up, as if determining what he would do. He walked around her in a wide arc, never touching, never issuing a single word. He stopped, a huff leaving his mouth.

He noticed. She was ugly. So very ugly. Self-conscious, she wanted to cower, knowing he had to see her scars, the recent marks and welts. Oh God! What was he going to think? That she’d been lying to him. “Snake—”

“Sssshhh…” he interrupted, his breath skipping along the back of her neck.

Swallowing, she clenched her fists then opened them, doing the exercise again and again.

When he moved back in front of her, he took his index finger, tracing lines down the side of her neck, inching down the front of her arm. “You’re beautiful.”

“No. I’m not. I’m ugly.”

Lifting her chin with his index finger, he gave her an admonishing look. “No man could ever think of you as ugly. The woman inside is dazzling. The woman outside is perfect.”

She was floating, hearing his words, able to sense so much about this man and what he’d endured. “Thank you.”

Snake moved around her again, his fingers brushing across various aspects of her skin. “Discipline is required. You understand what you’ve always needed.”

“Yes, sir.” The words slipped from her mouth, said easily as if she remained in her father’s house.

“Then tell me again what you desire.”

“Spank me. Whip me. Help me understand your level of obedience.” She knew what she was doing was defiant, pushing her boundaries, if not his, but in her mind, she wanted nothing more than to take risks. Reaching down, she touched his belt, fingering the buckle, caressing the supple leather. Everything was different, but so very much the same. Her father’s discipline, the spankings received almost once a week and always from his belt.

At that moment, she was nothing more than a little girl and she knew exactly what she needed, what her psyche required. “Please spank me with your belt.”