Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
My cock hardened. Unlike the last time, I was emboldened enough to keep my arm around her, my hips pressed to hers.
Her cheeks flushed.
I knew she felt my arousal.
I leaned down but hesitated, a breath away from her lips. “Nothing. What else should he have told me?”
Her eyelids fluttered as her gaze flitted from my eyes to my mouth and back. “Nothing.”
I hid my smile.
Liar.
I closed my lips on hers. They were still swollen from Hyde’s harsh kisses last night. I gently ran the tip of my tongue over her bottom lip, wanting to kiss the hurt away. Catherine accepted my kiss with a sigh. Her head tilted back as she opened her mouth. I darted my tongue inside, playfully swirling it around hers. I flexed my hand over her lower back, drawing her in closer.
Catherine touched my bicep, her fingertips pressing into my skin.
I groaned and deepened the kiss, while still keeping myself in check.
It was a bright morning in the workplace after all.
Catherine broke the kiss and stepped back.
She ran her fingertip under her lower lip as if to brush away any smeared lipstick.
I tucked an errant curl, which had fallen out of the tight bun at the top of her head, behind her ear. “Don’t worry, your lipstick still looks beautiful. It didn’t smudge.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
She straightened her glasses and awkwardly looked around the lab, as if she were reluctant to meet my gaze.
Not sure what to say, I blurted out, “I like your new glasses.”
Her blush deepened.
Fuck.
I was an idiot. Why had I mentioned the glasses?
She adjusted the frames on her pert nose. “Thank you. They are actually my spare pair. I… lost the other pair.”
I tucked my hands into my denim pockets. “They’re cute. I like them.”
She nodded slightly. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Stop talking.
Stop talking.
Stop. Talking.
I let out a long sigh and rocked back on my heels. “Well, we should probably get back to work.” I forced a laugh. “I sound like a boss cracking the whip.”
She paled.
Oh, God.
The belt.
Hyde’s belt.
My belt.
Her ass.
Christ, I’m a moron. I ran my hand through my hair as I spun in a circle. “I just remembered. I think I have a meeting somewhere about something.”
I snatched up my leather journal and rushed out of the lab before she could say anything more.
The moment I crossed the threshold, I slammed the door shut and leaned against it. Hugging my journal to my chest, I groaned. I had my answer.
In Hyde’s embrace, Catherine had melted. Her whole body had trembled with his touch. He had overridden all her natural caution and professional intelligence, turning her into a woman aching for fulfillment no matter the circumstances or cost.
She had felt none of those things with my kiss.
I looked down at my journal. I flipped to the last page and stared at Hyde’s scrawl.
After that disastrous attempt at seduction, can you really blame the woman for falling for the charms of a better man?
Anger and jealousy twisted my stomach. Hyde was not the better man! He was the more confident, arrogant, egotistical version of my own self. He was the embodiment of all the bottled-up emotion I had ever experienced, but never felt the freedom to voice. He was the dark and forbidden thoughts I had always held, but never acted upon. I was jealous of my other self, my alter ego.
Well, if it was Hyde which Catherine preferred, then I would give her Hyde.
CHAPTER 12
HYDE
Itwisted the long handcuff chain between my fists as I followed Catherine home.
Power coursed through my veins. Each time I took the formula, I claimed more of Jekyll’s soul. Soon there would be nothing left of him. Then I would truly come into my own. None of this hiding in the shadows, waiting for him to unlock my cage.
Her footsteps faltered as she glanced behind her.
The light was dim. I knew she could not see me, just as I knew she could still feel me.
It was in how she walked. The sway of her hips, the anxious looks back. The way her eyes searched the gloom in fear laced with anticipation.
She knew I was stalking her.
She knew what was coming.
And against her will, I was certain she craved it.
Craved the release that would come from being under my controlling hand. Of being given no choice but to submit. Some women just needed that final push into complete domination.
I tested the weight of the handcuffs, luxuriated in the feel of the warm metal as it pressed against my palm.
Catherine turned into the small, deserted courtyard that led to her apartment.
I leaned against the wall and waited, anticipation increasing the pleasure I felt in stalking my prey.
I imagined her turning and hastily locking the door. Leaning against the door, she’d feel safe for the moment. I could see her backing away, questioning her own instincts.