The way her body curls into the sheets is erotic and alluring. The curves of her in the sliver of light give off a sensual vision. I wish I could capture her just like that, in this moment. She’s incredibly beautiful. The way she took everything I gave her and begged for more only had my mind cementing the thought she’s mine.

It’s been such a long time since I’ve even thought of a woman spending more than one night in my bed. I’ve broken all my rules. The only thing is, I haven’t told her the last one.

I have five rules.

I broke every single last one of them.

The fifth is the most important.

And slowly, but surely, I’ve shattered that one into tiny fragments.

I rise, padding into the living room to find reprieve from the smell of sex in my bedroom. There’s never been a doubt in my mind that I couldn’t walk away from this, but, Peyton has found a way into my head.

The silence hangs heavy around me, taunting and teasing. The truth of who I am is still a secret to her. I haven’t told her who I really am or what I’ve done. She also has no idea that the woman in my past, the one person I loved more than life, could be her twin.

I can’t explain why I haven’t told her. There’s no way I can. If she finds out, she’ll walk out, and the thought of that hurts my chest more than I care to admit. More than I should allow myself to feel. Mason was right; I was an idiot for believing I was in command.

As much as I am the dominant in this relationship, she’s the one who is ultimately owning me. I’ve been topped from the bottom without noticing it. And the woman who's in my bed is unaware of how much power she really does hold over me.

Lifting the tumbler to my lips, I take a long drink of the gin and tonic. The harsh, bitter liquid trickles down my throat, and I revel in the burn. The silence of the dark night is what I need to figure out what I’m doing. My mind is awash with her. Everything about her, the sweet scent, the intoxicating flavor, and the way she offers me her all. She doesn’t hold back. It’s dangerous. Because soon, I’ll be addicted to her, and there’s no way I can go back from that.

My sister arrives in a few days, I knew my father wouldn’t want her coming here on her own, so Callan is flying along with her. Having both siblings here will be difficult. The three O’Leary kids back together again. All the memories, everything I’ve long since buried, will once again be dug up, and I don’t think I’m ready for it.

I look forward to seeing them both, but deep down, I’m just not sure the memory of Aurora will be hidden from Peyton. Lies are the only things I hate. Hiding something from a woman I’m starting to care about is something I’d rather not do, but I don’t know if I have a choice.

“You’re so quiet, Little Kitten,” I murmur over the rim of my glass, not turning to meet her gaze. I felt her moments ago, those green eyes piercing through my armor. The scent of her is everywhere, and I know even if I sent her home right now, nothing will rid me of her.

I realize it was stupid of me to think I could take on a submissive, train her, and let her go. Not because I couldn’t do it, but the realization that I’m holding on to Peyton because she looks like Aurora hit me an hour ago. When I opened my eyes and saw her sleeping beside me, I knew my heart is no longer safe.

“I woke up and you were gone,” she tells me. Her soft footfalls are the only sound as she moves silently toward me. A gentle touch on my shoulder burns through me. Her skin, warm, silky smooth, ignites my blood.

“I had to think,” I tell her, gulping down the last of my drink, not meeting her inquisitive gaze.

Her innocence is something I can’t deny turns me on. Perhaps that’s why I can’t say no, why I can’t walk away from her.

“Are you pondering ways to tell me to leave?”

Her question stills me for a moment before I turn to regard her. Green eyes shimmer in the low light. The small, delicate smile on her lips makes me want to kiss her, to devour those whimpers she gifts me each time I’m near her.

There’s nothing I want more than to take her and make her mine, but I can’t.

“I was thinking about how life has fucked me over time and again,” I confess.

“And you decided a drink in the dark is what will quell your anger?” she asks, perching herself on the arm of the sofa beside me. She’s wrapped in white cotton. My shirt I was wearing earlier draped over her skin. It looks better on her than it does me.

“I don’t know, Peyton. I’m not an easy man to be with.” I shrug. Once again all I give her is honesty. There’s nothing for me to hide from this girl because I know she sees my truth.

“Nobody is easy to be with, Carrick,” she says, rising and stepping around to stand before me. Her frame silhouetted by the darkened window makes her look ethereal. “We all have darkness inside us. Nobody is perfect, but it’s not about that. It’s about finding the person you’re imperfect with and allowing them to love you the way you are.”

Her words wash over me. Calming my breathing and the thoughts running through my mind. With a sigh, I set the glass down and rise. My hands come up to cup her face. My thumb swipes over her lower lip that’s plump and begging to be devoured.

I allow myself to lower my mouth to hers. I want this girl more than I thought was possible. My heart, however, is torn. I plant a kiss on her lips, with my hands trailing down her body. Finding her hips, I tug her closer.

When she whimpers, I turn feral. My tongue darts out, fighting for entry into her body, which she allows me. As if I’m always meant to be there. I kiss her hard, abandoning all the earlier fears, I revel in her flavor. Her taste is sweet, delicate like an orchid. She’s the ultimate prize, but I don’t know if I’m worthy of winning.

Her hands twine themselves around my neck, and my palms find her pert ass. Lifting her against me, I stalk toward the panes of the window and pin her between the glass and my body. She gasps as the cold seeps through the material of my shirt. My hips roll against her, my cock pressing against her warmth.

“Rick,” she murmurs, causing me to halt my attack on her flesh. “I need you inside me,” she whimpers. Her gaze pleading with me to take her. Shoving my boxers down, I grip my cock and tease her with the tip. The fact that she came in here without panties on isn’t lost on me.

She came to seduce.

To taunt.

I stare at her as I sink into her cunt, slow and torturous. Her eyes widen with every inch. She pulls her bottom lip between her pearly white teeth, and she bites down when I fully seat myself inside her.

“You’re a tease,” I tell her. The corner of my mouth kicking up into a smirk when she giggles. It’s a light, melodic sound.

“You’re a glutton,” she retorts. I pull out and slam back in, eliciting a moan from her mouth. I move faster, but not enough to give her the release she needs.

Her eyes glaze over. “Carrick, please.” Her plea falls in the space between us. I fit inside her like I was made to. Her body fits around me like a glove, sucking me into her heat, wanting more. I indulge in her, my mouth crashing into the curve of her neck. The smooth flesh tastes like temptation, like promises, and I wonder just how long this will last.

Her nails claw my shoulders as my hips piston against her. My cock throbbing as I drive into her wet hole. Her moans are beautiful, erotic.

“Carrick,” she utters my name on a melody of desire and lust. Hunger thick in her voice as I roll my hips, causing my shaft to hit that spot inside her that has her body shuddering and pulsing. The tightness of her around me is too much, and I’m barely holding onto restraint.

“I want you, Kitten. I want all of you.” My honesty is raw. My words feather over her, sending her reeling as an orgasm shatters through her slim body. Her pussy pulses, taking me along with her, and we both tumble over the precipice of desire.

Her eyes flutter open. Long lashes sweep across her cheeks as she blinks away the high. I can’t stop watching her. Seeing her pleasure is like a drug--I need it. And I want to be the one responsible for her orgasms.

I can’t fight it anymore. I don’t want to.

“That was . . .,” she murmurs, her words falling silent as she attempts finding something to describe the connection. Nothing can. I believe Peyton has walked into my life for a reason.

At first, I thought it was because she could offer me closure. But I realize now that’s not it. She’s not here to make me stop caring. Her presence in my life is to allow me to feel again. Affection was never on my list of things to do. Allowing myself to care about anyone else but Rory was something I could never fathom, but that’s changed.

“It was real,” I tell her.

The air shifts between us. Her legs are wrapped around me. I’m still inside her, hard as if I’d never come at all. My release, mixed with hers, drips from her body. She smiles when I lie her on the black rug. Her body open to me. Reaching for the material, I grip the shirt. When I rip it, the buttons fly in every direction, clinking against the window, tiles, and cabinet behind us.

“Carrick,” she murmurs, smiling up at me with affection burning into me.

“Peyton, this is--” I start. Leaning in, I plant kisses over her flesh. Taking a nipple into my mouth, I suck it hard. My teeth bite into the hardened bud, causing her to whimper. Her fingers tangle into my hair, tugging me closer. Her hips rise up, her core rubbing against me.

“Please, fuck, Carrick,” she mumbles, moans like a sultry temptress.

There’s a soft purr that tumbles from her lips as I tease and taunt her nipples. Tugging and tweaking, drawing more pleasure from her body than I ever thought possible. When I finally release her, I sit back, my hand raising and raining down on her to swat on her pussy. Another, and another. Her pink cunt lips are puffy, her clit sensitive, causing her hips to buck with each slap.

“Fuck!” she cries out as her body shudders on the floor. Her thighs shake as her release slams into her. I watch in awe as she let’s go. She’s perfection.

“You are perfect,” I tell her while planting kisses over her smooth, flat stomach. My tongue dips into her belly button, causing her to squirm. Trailing my fingers up her thighs, I splay them wide. When I cast my glance up her body, I find those green eyes staring back at me.

“What are you—?”

I cut her question off with my tongue, lapping at her core, her sweet arousal dripping onto my tongue, and I delve into the tight heat that’s so welcoming. Her head drops back, her fingers grip the rug beneath her as I taste our combined releases. The combination is a heady mixture of love and lust.

She lifts from the carpet when my teeth graze her clit, biting down hard to draw out her pleasure and those melodic mewls. She’s a kitten, but when she loses control, she’s a goddamn lioness. Her golden waves splay on the black carpet, her porcelain skin shimmers with a sheen of sweat, and I lick my way up to her mouth.

“Taste us,” I tell her, and she does. Lifting her head, she sucks my tongue into her mouth then moans as if she revels in our flavor as much as I do. Gently, I slide into her once more. I can’t stop wanting her, needing to be inside her.

There’s nothing more I want than to see and feel every part of her.

Even the part I told her not to give me.

I want her heart too.