A line crossed that couldn’t be undone.
An enemy to a lover.
Soon to be my husband.
CHAPTER 18
Christian
Morning light.
A warm glow entering a room I’d rarely paid any attention to was suddenly something I could appreciate. Maybe that was the majority of rooms in a house that had never felt like home.
The moment I walked into the kitchen, my senses were fueled.
Sight.
Sound.
Smell.
Even the rapid pulse that was unexpected sent deep vibrations into my groin.
Why the change?
Because of the woman sitting at my kitchen table staring down at her iPad: bare feet with her legs crossed under the chair. Gymshorts that had ridden up her luscious thighs. A tank top that perfectly accented her voluptuous breasts.
Breasts that fit perfectly into my hands.
My cock twitched from the thought alone.
Vanessa was sipping on a mug of coffee, the aroma managing to float into my nostrils much like the scent of whatever shower gel she’d used. She was unaware I remained in the doorway, studying her as I’d already done so many times, completely engrossed in whatever she was looking at.
With her hair still damp, she appeared more vulnerable than she had when she’d stepped foot into my house the night before. Did that provide a moment, even a second of guilt or second guessing the demands I’d made? A contract I’d all but forced her to sign? Should I simply tear it up, thanking her for her time and paying her what was owed?
The answer was far too easy for me to decide.
Fuck, no.
She was mine.
I’d laid claim, something I also had never done before. Partly for the game that I refused to lose. Partly for desire. Partly from… what she’d called arrogance.
Whatever the case, I enjoyed the moment before the day began and we continued our game of cat and mouse. What struck me as amusing was that I wasn’t certain who was who at this point.
Her body tensed and she lifted her head, slowly tipping her chin in my direction. Instantly, I could detect regret for the nightbefore. Which I’d expected. Nothing with her was easy, as it shouldn’t be.
What would the fun be if there was no chase?
No conquest.
I’d left her keys to the house and one of my cars on the table after she’d fallen asleep. There were also instructions and the security code for the system and one of my platinum credit cards as per the contract. The items appeared untouched.
Unwanted.
I headed to the Keurig machine, surprised she’d placed another mug on the counter. A smile cracked the hard frown I’d been carrying. She said nothing and neither did I. At this point, I wasn’t certain what was left to discuss.
Other than her role in the upcoming meeting with Lopez.
