He didn’t reply. Instead, he splayed his hand between her thighs. Sebastian’s eyes held an unholy gleam when he realized she wore nothing underneath her dress. He murmured his approval in Spanish as he began to stroke the folds of her sex.
Ashley immediately clamped her legs together but it was too late. Sebastian wasn’t going to let that deter him. He gave a husky laugh of triumph as she responded. She looked away as the liquid heat flooded her body.
“Look at me,” he said roughly.
Ashley shook her head. She couldn’t look in his eyes and show him how she felt. How he made her feel. From his expert touch, it was obvious that he already knew. The humiliation burned and yet she bucked against his hand.
She wouldn’t look at him. And yet she couldn’t tell him to stop. She didn’t want to push him away. She felt the white heat whipping through her, catching fire. Her fear was that he would stop unless she followed his command.
Sebastian growled. “Look at me,” he repeated.
She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head again. A guttural moan escaped from deep in her chest as Sebastian dipped his finger into her clenching core. Ashley felt his hot gaze. She knew he saw everything. He knew what she wanted. What if he held back? Oh, God...what if he didn’t stop until she revealed her deepest need and darkest fantasy?
“Ashley.” His voice was raw and urgent.
She was compelled to open her eyes. Ashley met his intense gaze just as the climax rippled through her. Her mouth sagged open and her muscles locked as she chased the pleasure. Sebastian saw everything and she couldn’t hide. How was he going to use this to his advantage?
He slowly, almost reluctantly, withdrew from her. Ashley ached from the loss and she sagged against the wall. Her body trembled. She wanted to hold on to him, but she wouldn’t dare.
“Total obedience,” he reminded her quietly.
His words were like a slap. Was this a display of his dominance? Did he want to prove that he could make her do whatever he wished?
Ashley pushed away from him and smoothed her dress with clumsy hands. She would not submit to his will. “No, Cruz,” she said as she fought to stand straight on wobbly legs. “That will never happen.”
“Haven’t you learned by now, Ashley?” he asked as the challenge glinted in his eyes. “I always get what I want.”
CHAPTER FOUR
AS ASHLEY STOOD in the VIP section of Sebastian’s dance club, she couldn’t help but feel as if she had fallen into the looking glass. The flashing lights were hypnotic and the dancers moved to the music as if they were in a trance. She had never seen a place like this before. It was fantastical. Otherworldly and a little frightening.
And this was just part of Sebastian’s kingdom. The moment they entered, she had felt the ripple of interest and awe. At first she had been uncomfortable being in the spotlight, but as Sebastian spoke to members of the Miami elite, she realized she was invisible to the guests. They lobbied for Sebastian’s attention and saw no need to speak to her. She was arm candy. An expensive accessory.
She should feel grateful that no one noticed or cared about her. She recognized a few of her parents’ friends, but they didn’t seem to remember her. She felt small and powerless in the cavernous club. More than once, Ashley wondered how much of the club reflected Sebastian’s personality. It was darkly sensual and seductive. The music pulsated from the floor and she tried to ignore the carnal rhythm, but her heartbeat matched the tempo.
The wild laughter punctuating the air made her flinch. She didn’t want to be here, around these people who had enjoyed her parents’ downfall. Ashley wished she was back on Inez Key. It was quiet and relaxing. Calm and predictable. That was where she belonged. It had been her kingdom.
But there had been a time when she’d needed to get away from her island. Sebastian must have known that. She remembered the unexpected fun she’d had with Sebastian on that weekend when he let her take his boat out for a spin.
The offer had been too tantalizing to resist. She loved being out on the water and had wanted to try his speedboat. At the time, she had thought her acceptance had nothing to do with the promise of having Sebastian’s undivided attention.