Criminal

Chapter 25

As I peered out the window, my eyes widened at the sight of the elaborate maze that sprawled across Kael's backyard. It was like something out of a fairytale, with towering hedges and winding paths that seemed to go on forever.

"What the hell is that?" I muttered to myself, my gaze fixed on the labyrinthine structure.

But Kael had already snuck up behind me, his voice low and dangerous. "It's a little game I like to play," he said, his hand trailing over my shoulder.

I shuddered at his touch, but couldn't deny the thrill that coursed through me at the thought of exploring the maze with him.

And as he led me to the bathroom and began running a bath, I couldn't help but wonder what other dark secrets lay hidden within his twisted mind.

The water was scalding hot, but Kael didn't seem to notice as he began undressing me with rough, impatient hands.

I winced as he touched my bruises and battered skin, the marks of his sadistic torments still fresh on my body. But even as I fought him, part of me couldn't help but crave his touch, his dominance.

As he lowered me into the water, I let out a gasp of pleasure as the heat seeped into my sore muscles. But Kael's hands were already all over me again, exploring every inch of my body with an expert touch that left me breathless.

"You're so fucking stubborn," he growled in my ear, his hand wrapping around my throat in a warning. "But it just makes me want you more."

I tried to fight him off, tried to defy him with words and curses. But the more I struggled, the more he seemed to relish in his power over me.

"Shut up," he hissed, his hand tightening around my throat. "You're mine, Ava. You belong to me."

And as much as I hated to admit it, part of me couldn't help but feel a twisted sense of pleasure at his words.

But even as I gave in to him, let him take control of my body and mind, I knew that this wasn't love. It was just another sick game to him, a way to get revenge on my father for something I had no part in.

And yet, as he trailed kisses down my neck and over my chest, I couldn't bring myself to care about anything else but the pleasure he was giving me in this moment.

As the water grew colder around us, we continued our dance of dominance and submission, each touch and caress pushing me closer and closer to the edge.

"Please," I moaned, my body arching up against his as he trailed kisses lower and lower.

But Kael just chuckled, the sound dark and menacing. "Not yet," he murmured, his fingers tracing circles around my most sensitive areas. "I want you to beg for it."

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment at his words, but even as I fought against him, part of me craved the release that only he could give me.

And as the tension between us grew more and more intense, I knew that there was no going back from this twisted dance of pleasure and pain.

For better or for worse, I was completely and utterly under his control.

*The water was cold around us, but all I could focus on was the way his hands felt on my body, the way he controlled me and made me feel alive in a way that I never had before.

But even as I surrendered to him, my mind was racing with thoughts of escape, of finding a way out of this twisted situation.

As Kael continued his ministrations, I bit my lip hard enough to draw blood, trying to stifle my moans and keep my resistance up.

"You're so stubborn," he growled, his hand squeezing my breast roughly. "But that just makes it all the sweeter when you finally give in."

I glared up at him, trying to fight back the pleasure that coursed through my veins. But even as I fought against him, I knew that deep down, I wanted this just as much as he did.

And as he finally brought me to the brink of ecstasy, I couldn't help but scream out in pleasure, my body trembling with release as I gave in completely to the sensations he had wrought upon me.

Kael's lips curved into a satisfied smirk as he watched me unravel beneath him, his own desire evident in the hunger in his eyes.

But even as I lay there, spent and breathless, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at the edges of my mind.

For in the darkness of that room, surrounded by the echoes of our passion, I knew that this was just the beginning of a dangerous game that neither of us could escape.