The thought was both revolting and alarmingly sensual.
My thoughts drifted to the reminder I was still wearing his shirt. Even after spending nearly an hour in the shower, scrubbing the sinful act and the lingering scent of him off my skin, I’d chosen to slide into his shirt once again, craving the smell of him.
I almost laughed, the sound announcing I was awake. His shirt. He’d had his sister purchase several outfits from beautiful and very expensive dresses to different yet equally as sophisticated casual clothes. He’d also instructed her to provide lingerie. Silk and lace bras, matching thongs, and the loveliest baby doll nighties I’d ever seen. Not only was it strange that his sister haddone the shopping for an unknown guest in her brother’s house, but also that he’d spent a small fortune on the selection.
And why? Because he’d ripped my skirt and blouse, tearing away my panties as if the slight hindrance was no longer acceptable? Maybe. Right now, the answers swimming in my mind weren’t acceptable.
The seconds ticked by becoming minutes, the electricity in the room now crackling through the heated air. When he finally chuckled in the deep, husky sound that I’d wanted to hate, I cringed deep inside.
Not from disgust, other than for myself, but from the tingles skimming down every inch of my naked skin from the sound alone.
“I know you’re awake, sweet Catherine.”
“I’m not awake. I’m in a nightmare, but I’ll hunt and kill the horrible monster before he feasts on another victim.” Sparring with him was easy. The words came naturally. Unfortunately, I sensed they’d turned him on. The room pulsed with a silent craving that soon wouldn’t be capable of denying.
“Are you managing to pierce the heart of the bastard chasing you?”
“Since he doesn’t have a heart, I’m finding other more useful ways of utilizing my blade.”
His laugh was full of amusement. The sound continued to reverberate through every nerve and muscle.
“You can see I’m just fine and was unable to escape.”
“Does that mean you tried?” he asked, the amused tone continuing.
“Would it matter if I had?”
Every sigh, every murmur was pointed. “Yes, it would. I can’t have something so precious fly away from me. If necessary, I’d need to put the little creature in a cage and I’d hate to clip her wings. But often life necessitates doing things we’d prefer not doing.”
There always seemed to be a hidden meaning in everything he said. I found myself tensing and when he remained silent, I shifted closer to the nightstand, flicking on the light. My reactions were spontaneous. Even though I was wearing his shirt, I pulled the covers up to my neck before rolling over so I could face him.
His nostrils flared as he peered at me, the thick cords in his neck drawing my full attention. Something was different about him. Not only because he’d taken a shower, his dark hair damp and slicked back. The generous shadow of stubble grazing his chiseled jaw was more pronounced, the roughness complementary to the pitch-black appearance of his eyes.
As I shifted onto my bent arm, I was better able to see his posture and his change of attire. Wearing a dark tee shirt and black jeans, the material of the shirt provided a clear definition of his carved abdomen.
“Except I’m not a creature you can own just because that’s what you want.”
Another slight chuckle brushed across the rim of his glass as he brought the crystal to his lips. “I think you already know better by now.”
The world and everything in it had become his personal playground. I’d had enough of toying with him, the charade of doing so completely unlike me. The argument would be the same and would end the same and he’d yet to provide me with any evidence he was innocent.
Tossing back the covers, I swung my legs off the bed, immediately standing. While I was forced to walk by him to get to the door, there was enough space he couldn’t reach me. “We’re on a never-ending cycle, Alexander. You basically told me I would help prove your innocence, but you left for the evening, locking me away. That certainly doesn’t provide me with any incentive to work on your behalf. I need to get dressed and you will take me home. Or I’ll catch an Uber. It’s up to you. This will end, this toxic thing that we have going on.”
The lateness of the night didn’t diminish his strength or his speed. He barely leaned forward, grabbing my arm and yanking me into his lap so I was forced to straddle him. As soon as he did, I shuddered from the heated touch of his hand and the sheer hunger in his gaze.
There was no denying he unnerved me, especially when I felt the hard push of the thick bulge between his legs. I pressed one hand against his chest, doing what I could to create a slight barrier between us.
He merely looked down at my hand, the amusement lingering.
“It’s the middle of the night, my angel. There is little that can be done at two in the morning. Tonight, we play.” The way his lips twisted in amusement, while once an irritant, was now a powerful allure.
“No, Alexander. I’m finished with playing with you. You locked me away for hours without telling me anything. You act as if you own me when you don’t. I barely know you and you certainly don’t know me.”
“I know enough.”
“Really?” I was getting hot under the collar again. He did that to me. I needed to remain defiant around him, or I’d completely lose myself and that was the last thing I wanted to do. I tried climbing off his lap, but he refused to allow me.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
