Unmasked (King Morine #4)

25. Stryker

CHAPTER 25

Stryker

M allory has been down in the dumps since Steve Becker assaulted her.

That asshole will soon be sent straight to hell, courtesy of me.

I showered and had just stepped out, drying off. When finished, I wrapped the towel around my waist and padded to the bedroom for some clothing. I glanced at the monitors on the wall showing Mallory’s apartment.

She’s sitting on the couch beside Mandy, wringing her hands together. The look on her face makes me stop in my tracks.

She’s gonna confess.

Mallory’s cheeks flame as she looks at Mandy from beneath lowered lashes. My body tenses as I wait for her to drop the bombshell.

“The party we went to on Labor Day weekend… I had a bad experience with Steve Becker.”

That’s not what I expected her to say. I thought she would confess to fooling around with a masked man. Although, we haven’t fooled around since the incident with Steve .

Concern contorts Mandy’s face. “What happened?”

Mallory takes a deep breath before launching into the story. When she gets to the part where I intervened, she says, “I was rescued by a stranger. I didn’t get a good look at his face, but he was lean and muscular. He was the one who took me home.”

A smile curls my lips. I’m not a stranger to her, but I admire how she protects me.

“I’m so sorry that Steve did that to you. He’s an asshole.” She squeezes Mallory’s hands. “But I’m glad a stranger intervened before he….”

Mallory nods, a shiver rolling through her. “Me too.”

Mandy’s expression changes, turning dreamy. “An unknown guy swoops in and saves the day. How romantic.” She cocks her head, studying Mallory’s face. “Do you think he goes to college here?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know.”

“I hope you get the chance to see him again. He sounds like a good guy.”

She nods, a wistful expression on her face. “I need to stop being fearful after what happened with Steve.”

Mandy winks at her. “You know what they say. Sometimes, it’s best to get back on the horse.”

For the first time since the incident happened, Mallory’s eyes light up. “You may be right.”

I can help you get back on the horse, little prey.

I laugh, feeling lighter for the first time in weeks. “No time like the present.”

It’s late when Mandy leaves Mallory’s apartment. My little prey didn’t want Mandy to walk to her residence hall alone, so she walked her home.

As Mallory heads home, she crosses her arms over her chest, muttering, “Yeah, real smart idea. Now you’re walking home alone in the dark.” Her eyes dart around, her breathing heavy as she hurries along the sidewalk.

Don’t worry, little prey. You’re safe with your predator watching over you.

I’m following a safe distance behind her. When she steps beneath the shadows of the tree, I grin. Now’s my chance.

Ducking behind a row of thick bushes, I grab a stone and toss it over her head. She whirls around, eyes wide with fear, searching the darkness. “Hello?”

Her fear makes her even more beautiful.

She whirls around, walking faster, darting occasional looks over her shoulder.

“Mallory,” I whisper loudly.

She whips around, eyes searching the darkness. “Who’s there?”

I remain hidden, not saying anything, watching her fear ratchet up higher.

“I’m getting the fuck outta here.” She whips around, hurrying toward her apartment building.

Now’s my chance.

I sneak up behind her, waiting until the perfect moment. I step on a stick lying on the ground, the crack sounding like a shot in the night.

Mallory whips around, coming face-to-face with me.

“Hello, my little prey.” My eyes glitter behind the mask.

She backs up a couple of steps. Her baby blues, which had been devoid of emotion since Steve assaulted her, now sparkle with life.

“Run.”

Strawberry-blonde hair flies behind her as she spins, sprinting toward the woods.

My smile is wide beneath my mask. “Exactly where I want you. ”

I let her get a head start before chasing her. She shrieks as she runs deeper into the dark woods, the light of the full moon guiding her.

She’s running downhill when I come up behind her. I grab her and toss her over my shoulder. She kicks her feet, her hands beating against my back.

Lowering her to her feet, I push her back against the bark of a tree. I grab her wrists, my body flush against hers. “You’re mine now.”

She stares at me, defiance in her eyes.

My hand moves to her throat, my grip tight but not cutting off her air.

Not yet, anyway.

She shivers as I make a tsking noise. “Did you think I’d let you get away?” I throw my head back, laughing. “Nuh-uh, little prey. You’re fucking mine.”

“W-Why do you w-want me so b-bad. Y-You don’t k-know me.” Her lips and chin quiver so much she barely gets the words out.

“You’re wrong, Mallory Nicole Chapman.” Her pulse beats faster against my hand.

“You were born in New York City but were only there for six months before being whisked to Los Angeles, California. You don’t have any siblings. You’ve bounced back and forth between New York and LA for most of your life until you came to Stone Ridge University. You’re twenty years old and a first-time, first-generation college student. You were born on October 31, which makes you a Scorpio.”

Her mouth drops open.

“Want me to keep going, little prey?”

She slowly shakes her head. “B-But why me? I’m not anything s-special.”

I cock my head, hating that she lacks confidence. “You’re everything to me.”

Her eyes soften. A blaze of desire flames in her irises.

“You’re mine, little prey. Every inch of you belongs to me.”

“N-No.” She tries to push me away, but I don’t budge.

“Yes. You can deny it all you want but can’t fight the inevitable.”

She whimpers, her fear palpable. “How do I know you won’t kill me and use my blood and bones for a satanic ritual?”

My laugh is low and deep, echoing from the trees. “You’re funny, little prey. I don’t believe in Satan or God, let alone practice any rituals or live by narrow-minded beliefs. But I know one thing.” I press my hardness between her thighs, hooking her legs around my waist as I grind against her. “I’ve never wanted anyone or anything like I want you .”

She pants, her eyes glazed from lust.

“Don’t act like you don’t want me. I see it in your eyes… Feel how your body responds to mine.”

She opens her mouth, defiance in her eyes. I give her throat a warning squeeze. “Don’t lie to me, Mallory.” I grind harder against her, causing her lips to part, a moan slipping free.

“That’s it. Your pussy knows she belongs to me, even if you haven’t figured it out yet.”

My hand lowers to her breast, cupping it before squeezing it. She moans again, her hips moving in perfect rhythm against mine, as though our bodies were made to tease and torment before joining together.

I pull back slightly, a warning look in my eyes. “Don’t scream, or I’ll punish you.” I stare at her momentarily before releasing her neck and breast.

When I grab the waistband of her pants, she releases her legs from around my waist. I tug her pants and panties down to her ankles, then push her back against the tree.

When I rub her clit, she moans, her head falling against the bark. She arches toward my hand, and I pinch it, making her body jerk.

“Mmm. My little prey likes a little pain.” I slide two fingers inside her, my thumb working her clit. “So fucking beautiful. I could do this all night.” My fingers move in and out of her, the sloppy, wet sounds echoing around us. “Cause there’s no damn way I’m stopping.”

“Don’t stop. Make me come,” she whimpers.

Her body trembles as I pump my fingers in and out of her, thrusting harder and deeper. “That’s my desperate little prey. Ride my fingers, baby.”

“Holy shit.” Her body quivers and quakes as I apply more pressure to her clit, fucking her harder with my hand.

“Fuck yes, little prey. The way your pussy is gripping my fingers, soaking me with your juices.” I squeeze her nipple with my other hand, and she moans again. “I’m gonna pound your pussy with my thick cock until you explode, creaming all over me until your juices drip from my balls.”

“Hell, yes. I want that,” she begs.

Her thighs shake, and her lips and chin quiver as she reaches her peak.

“Come all over my fingers, little prey.”

She explodes, her eyes closing as the orgasm barrels through her. I reach up, squeezing her throat, my voice rasping in her ear. “That’s it. Squeeze my fucking fingers. I don’t fucking care if you break them.”

I stare into her eyes, judging when it becomes too much for her, loosening my grip so she can breathe.

She sucks in oxygen, her body quivering, her pussy still clenching around my fingers.

When she stills, I remove my hand from her neck. “Mmm, little prey. You did so fucking well.” I run the nose of my mask along her cheek, my fingers still slowly fucking her while my thumb massages her clit.

“Now, it’s time to take back your power.” I pull my fingers out of her, holding them up so she can see her juices shining in the darkness.

I lift the mask enough that I can shove two fingers inside my mouth, moaning as I suck her cum from my digits. She stares at me, desire in her eyes.

Lowering her to the ground, I grab her pants, pulling them up. Mallory pouts, confusion swirling in her eyes.

“I told you I like the chase. Now run, little prey. If I catch you, I’m fucking the hell out of you.”