“An object? You think I treat you like an object?”

“I don’t think, Keiran. When this all began, you used me as some sick pawn for your misplaced anger and need for revenge. Where do we stand now?”

“It’s sex, Monroe,” he answered as he pulled on his jeans. “We fuck. That’s what we do. Don’t romanticize it.”

“You don’t mean it,” I said even as tears welled up in my eyes.

“You don’t know me well enough to tell me what I mean. I may not hate you anymore, but nothing has changed.”

“Everything has changed. Why can’t you see that?” He ignored me as he pulled on his shirt. Suddenly, I was very aware of the fact that I was naked and quickly used as much of the bed sheets that were accessible to cover up.

“I see everything. It’s why I’m telling you this,” he motioned between the two of us, “is a mistake. What you’re trying to create will never happen.”

“What gives you the right to choose the boundaries of our relationship? You think you can control what happens between us by being a dick, but I know you care about me. Sooner or later, your feelings are going to catch you.”

“There’s nothing to catch. I’m only trying to right a wrong.”

“Screw right or wrong. You don’t give a damn about doing the right thing. You never did.”

“Well, I like to think I’m an advocate of new beginnings,” he replied sarcastically.

“I agree. I think maybe it’s time I start dating.” When his eyes cut to me, and a look darker than I’ve ever seen clouded his features, I knew I had him. A small smile tugged at my lips, but I concealed it with a frown. I didn’t stop to think of the consequences of baiting him. “You know… the more I think about it, the better the idea sounds… I’m sure there are plenty of guys who wouldn’t mind fucking me… nice and slow… over and over. Oh, the possibilities! We could—”

I was face down and nearly suffocated by the bed sheets. I barely noticed my hips being yanked into the air. However, the slap to my bum made me painfully conscious of that very fact. The sound of his belt loosening, and then first one and then the other of my hands were yanked behind me. The familiar leather of the belt was smooth on my skin as he wrapped it around my wrists. I was bound and bare before I could gather my wits or catch my breath. “Keiran, what are you doing?” I gasped.

“I want you to repeat what you just said to me.”

Shit. “Huh?”

Another hard slap to my ass was my answer. “Repeat.”

“This is ridiculous,” I spat while trying to control the trembles of my body. “Untie me and get out.”

“You don’t want me to leave, Monroe.”

“And how do you know that? Believe it or not, your company isn’t all that pleasant.”

“Because you would have kept your mouth shut. Now repeat what you said to me.”

“I can’t remember,” I pouted petulantly even though he couldn’t see.

“You can’t remember, huh?” His hands ran up the length of my back slowly until he came to grip my ponytail. “Should I remind you then?”

I peeked over my shoulder in time to see his hand lower his zipper. I lost my breath to the anticipation. I felt him inside me already tonight, but I needed to feel him own me. I wouldn’t deny myself a second time.

I waited with barely concealed excitement for him to bare himself to me, but he moved his hand away to strip off his shirt, leaving his jeans open. “Wait here,” he ordered unnecessarily. Where would I go?

His footsteps retreated the short distance to my dresser and pulled open the third drawer. Oh, no… he couldn’t know, could he? I watched him lift my clothing to unveil the shiny black and yellow vibrator neatly lying at the bottom. I bought it on a whim a week after he was sent back to jail, but never used it. How did he know it was there?

“Imagine my surprise when I found you have a kinky side. How many times have you used this to touch yourself?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know.”

“Did you think of me when you pleasured yourself?”

“I didn’t think of you at all because I didn’t use it. It was a stupid impulse buy.”

A wicked smile spread across his lips as he picked up the small bottle of lube Sheldon and Willow insisted I get. “Not anymore.”

“What?” Without answering, he moved toward the bed and grabbed my hair, pulling my head back. His sudden assault on my lips was hard and combustible as he devoured me.

“I’m going to make you come so hard,” he whispered harshly against my lips after he finally came up for air. “Is that what you want?”

“Yes,” I panted softly.

He tugged on my hair, deepening the arch in my back and forcing me to look into his eyes. “Louder.”

Did he expect me to beg and scream my need knowing my aunt was only a couple of doors away?

“Yes.” My voice was louder that time and filled with desperation, but it didn’t satisfy his urge to humiliate.

“Yes, what?” he taunted. “Let me hear you say it.”

“Please make me come… hard.”

He nodded his head, and the buzz of the vibrator sounded throughout the room immediately. He moved out of sight but kept his hand on my hips as he knelt behind me still dressed in his jeans.