His hand lifted, holding her waist, fingers flexing. "I want to punish you for making me feel this weak. And I want to protect you from everything that would tear you apart. I want to be the one who hurts you and the one who heals you."
Her breath came shallow now. "That's twisted."
"Yes," he said immediately. "It is."
"I want to be the one who makes you afraid," he continued, eyes dark, unblinking, "and the one who makes you crave it. I want to own your fear and your pleasure because they already own me."
"You make no sense," Vee said, folding her arms over her chest.
"I know. Nothing about me standing here with you makes sense. Nothing about me wanting you makes sense either." His gaze dragged over her, catching on the familiar curve of her hips, the softness of her mouth. "And yet, here I am. Pursuing you like an idiot."
"Flattering," she muttered.
"You're a challenge," he continued, unfazed. "An infuriating, stubborn, mouthy challenge. And a very interesting and hot one."
