He dared grip my chin with his fingers, jerking my head up and forcing our lips to meet. I tried to push him away, but he wasn’t having it, capturing my mouth as if he owned me. I fisted his shirt, struggling, but his hold was firm. As he thrust his tongueinside my mouth, I fought to control the moment by dominating his.
That also wasn’t happening. He crowded closer, pressing his full weight against me. With his scent infusing my senses, his touch burning my skin, I was momentarily drawn into the same hunger I’d experienced with him before.
The lines of right and wrong were suddenly blurry, but for what reason he believed I’d comply with his outrageous demands was beyond me. Had he learned nothing from our conversations or time spent together?
Evidently not.
My initial assessment of him stood firm.
He was an arrogant bastard.
Even if he was an incredible kisser.
I was lightheaded, which I had a feeling he was going for. This truly was nothing but a game to him. I’d beaten myself up on Sunday, pacing the floor in between calling my brother to make certain he wasn’t doing something stupid. If he was caught with drugs again, he’d remain in jail until his court date.
I’d found an attorney, even on the weekend, but the cost was more than I could handle. My calls to my father so far had gone unheeded. He was on yet another business trip to Spain of all places. That had left me in a near panic trying to figure out an alternative to accepting Christian’s business.
I’d found none, finally resigning myself to what I needed to do in the wee hours of the morning.
However, this was more than I could tolerate.
As he swept his tongue back and forth, he shifted his hand to my neck, fingering my skin so lightly I shuddered in his hold.
Yet his attempt at reminding me about the passion we’d shared wasn’t going to work on me. I managed to drive my palm against his chest with enough force, I shoved him back by a full foot. The space was just enough I moved away from him toward the door, which I opened and threw my arm toward the opening.
“It’s time for you to leave, Mr. Elliot. My offer still stands as long as you play by my rules.” Why not hit him hard with what he seemed to hate?
He slowly turned toward me, taking the time to unbutton his jacket before shoving his hands into his trouser pockets. “I don’t think you seem to understand what I’m saying to you.”
“No, I understand clearly. You think I’m for sale and you’re wrong. If you decide to move forward with our business engagement, leave the name of your attorney with Amelia and I’ll have mine contact yours. From there, we’ll handle any necessary discussions over the phone or via email. Have a good day.”
When he slowly headed toward the door, I felt a slight sense of relief. I should know better than to feel that way or to ever let my guard down around him. He had the nerve to close the door.
“What are you doing? You seriously think bullying me is going to force me to change my mind?” I threw at him. “If so, then you don’t know me very well.”
“I think I know you better than you realize, Vanessa. As a matter of fact, I made it a point to get to know you very well. I know your father is Jonathan Blair of Blair Development.”
He allowed the information to sink in as if it mattered to me. “I care why?”
“Oh, come now. You can play the innocent card with someone else, but not with me. Your father’s company is my greatest rival. He’s in the process of attempting to come into Miami and the surrounding area including through the use of unscrupulous methods.”
“Something you would know about.” What the hell was he getting at? My father was in land development. Wait. That’s right. Elliot Enterprises had used the blood money earned from dismantling companies as collateral for purchasing land for high-end resorts. My God. I’d been so busy allowing my hormones to take control I hadn’t made the connection.
He laughed, his eyes lighting up like the fire I felt in my belly. “Yes, I do know how to play the game. But I think you do as well.”
“What are you talking about?”
“As I said, stop playing innocent. You knew who I was. You ran to your daddy and he gave you pointers on how to handle me. What was the goal, to keep me occupied while he lured my potential away?”
“You are such an arrogant bastard. If you knew anything about me, Christian, you’d know my relationship with my father isn’t on the best terms. Unbelievable. I take back what I said. Your business is no longer welcome here. Get the fuck out.”
His features hardened to the point his jaw was clenching. The dark flash of his eyes indicated the same rage boiling deep within me.
“I’m not leaving, Vanessa. We need to make arrangements and, of course, our attorneys can discuss the contract. You’ll be made a very wealthy woman.”
“I don’t know why you think money is everything other than because that’s what you grew up with. That’s what fuels you.”
“You grew up with money as well. Don’t play the martyr card. Your value to me is worth every penny.”
