CHAPTER 192: CHAPTER 192 SURRENDER

Serena’s POV

Ryan swept me into his arms with startling ease, carrying me through the master suite. My heart hammered against my ribs as he set me down on the cool marble of the bathroom counter.

"Stay," he commanded, his voice dropping to that dangerous baritone that made my skin prickle with anticipation.

He turned to start the bath, steam rising as hot water cascaded into our oversized tub. The scent of jasmine oil filled the air as he poured it generously into the swirling water.

I watched, transfixed, as he straightened and began unbuttoning his shirt. Each movement was deliberate, his eyes never leaving mine. The crisp white fabric parted to reveal bronzed skin stretched over sculpted muscle. He shrugged it off his shoulders, letting it fall carelessly to the floor.

My breath caught as his hands moved to his belt. The metallic clink as he unbuckled it echoed through the marble bathroom. He unzipped his trousers with maddening slowness, pushing them down powerful thighs before stepping out of them entirely.

"See something you like?" His lips curved into that infuriating smirk.

I couldn’t speak. Ryan stood before me in nothing but black boxer briefs, every inch of him a testament to power and control. The defined muscles of his abdomen, the strong column of his neck, the broad expanse of his shoulders – he was devastating in his masculinity.

"Your turn," he said, stepping toward me.

His fingers made quick work of my blouse, peeling it away from my heated skin. He unclasped my bra with practiced ease, his gaze darkening as he took in the sight of my bare breasts.

"Perfect," he murmured, his thumb grazing my nipple. I shivered despite the steam filling the room.

When we were both naked, he lifted me again, lowering us both into the fragrant water. I gasped as the heat enveloped me, my back pressed against his chest, his hardness evident against my lower back.

"I’ve been thinking about this all day," he confessed, his lips brushing against my ear. "You in meetings, commanding the room. Watching you work makes me want to remind you who you belong to."

His hands slid up my sides, cupping my breasts. "Who do you belong to, Serena?"

"No one," I challenged, though my body betrayed me, arching into his touch.

A dark chuckle rumbled through his chest. "Wrong answer."

His teeth scraped along my neck, biting down just hard enough to make me gasp. One hand remained at my breast, pinching and rolling my nipple between his fingers, while the other slid lower, dipping beneath the water to find the apex of my thighs.

"Try again," he demanded, his fingers circling but not touching where I needed him most.

I bit my lip, refusing to surrender so easily. "Make me say it."

Water sloshed over the sides of the tub as he turned me in his arms, facing me toward him. His eyes were storm clouds, dangerous and electric.

"Is that a challenge, Mrs. Blackwood?"

Without warning, he lifted me, positioning me so I straddled his lap. The water created a weightlessness that made me feel untethered, my only anchor the man beneath me.

"Every day you defy me," he growled, his hands gripping my hips. "Every day you make me want you more."

I rocked against him, feeling his hardness slide against my core. "Then take what’s yours."

His control snapped. In one fluid motion, he lifted me slightly and then brought me down on him, filling me completely. I cried out, my nails digging into his shoulders.

"Fuck," he hissed, his head falling back against the tub. "You feel so goddamn tight."

He guided my movements, his hands bruising my hips as he set a punishing rhythm. Water splashed around us, spilling onto the floor with each thrust.

"Say it," he demanded, his voice strained with restraint. "Say you’re mine."

I leaned forward, my lips brushing against his ear. "Make me believe it first."

The challenge lit something primal in his eyes. One hand tangled in my hair, pulling my head back to expose my throat. His teeth and tongue worked the sensitive skin there while his other hand slipped between us, finding the bundle of nerves that made me see stars.

"You’re mine," he growled against my skin. "Every beautiful, stubborn inch of you belongs to me."

His fingers worked magic, circling and pressing with just the right pressure. My body tightened around him, climbing toward release.

"That’s it, baby," he encouraged, his voice rough. "Let go for me. Show me what I do to you."

The coil inside me wound tighter, my movements becoming erratic. "Ryan—"

"I’ve got you," he promised, increasing the pressure where our bodies joined. "Come for me, Serena."

My release hit with blinding force, waves of pleasure crashing through me as I clung to him. He held me through it all, whispering filthy praise against my ear as I shattered in his arms.

"Mine," he growled triumphantly, his own release following moments later, his body tensing beneath me as he emptied himself deep inside.

I collapsed against his chest, my breathing ragged. His arms wrapped around me, holding me close as the water cooled around us.

"I surrender," I murmured against his neck, feeling his satisfied smile against my temple.

"About time, Mrs. Blackwood," he replied, stroking my back. "About damn time."