“Excuse me?No.”
He shrugs out of his suit coat in the most tantalizing motion I’ve ever seen and tosses it over the back of the couch.
I cross my arms over my chest and swallow bile as I war within myself.
“We’re negotiating your contract, not your health.Take off your blouse,” he says.
“You’re crazy,” I growl.
“A crazy monster, yes.That’s me.”I shrink back into the chair when he wraps long fingers around both armrests and leans into my space.My lungs seize and heat blooms in my core.
“Do you really want to test me right now, baby doll?You’re hurt.I’m going to care for you even if you fight me every step of the way.”
My heart gives a prolonged squeeze.I want him to care for me, even though I know I shouldn’t.I can’t trust him.I don’t want to trust him ever again.Tears scratch the back of my eyes, but I tighten my arms around myself and glare at him.
“I’ve been taking care of myself for thirteen years, Brennan.I don’t need your—hey, stop!What are you—”
He ignores me and unbuttons my suit above and below my arms.His thick fingers pinch my chin and lift my face to his.My abdomen grows heavy as his breath ghosts over my lips.
I want his kiss despite the horror streaking through me.
When he closes his hand around my forearm, past and present collide, and for a horrible moment, I can’t move.Can’t think.Can’t breathe.
He tugs my arm away from my torso.
I shove his face away with both hands and lunge out of the chair, but his arm bands around my midsection and yanks me backward.I squeak as I collide against his chest, and for a horrible moment we both freefall, but he lands on the couch with me in his lap.
My head and hip throb.I wriggle for freedom, but he tightens his arm around me, stealing my breath.
“I’m sorry, Audrey.I don’t know what you’ve been through, but the way you fight… I’m sorry I can’t keep my hands off you.”
His chest vibrates against my back as he speaks in a deep, guttural voice.I dig my nails into the back of his hand and try to control my fight-or-flight response.Every inch of me screams for me to run for the door despite how nice it feels to be in his lap.
When his words finally register through my panic, I swallow sudden tears and shake my head.
“Hush, love.You’re safe with me.All I want right now is to ice your hip and talk business.Nothing else.”
I dig my nails deeper into his flesh as disbelief and want war within me.After a deep breath—which shifts me against his hard body and highlights our differences—I extract my nails from the back of his hands and encircle his wrists with my fingers.He’s too big.My digits don’t reach all the way around.My heart gives a heavy thump.
“My hip is fine, but if you insist, then let me up.I’ll sit in the chair and do it myself while you watch,” I say.
He loosens his arm from my stomach but doesn’t release me.
“Sometimes watching is enough, but not this time, baby doll.I hurt you.I need to be the one to fix it,” he murmurs.
“This is wrong.What if someone comes in and—”
“Would you rather I lock the door?”he asks.
I shake my head.The thought of being locked away alone with this massive man is too much.
He drops his cheek to the top of my head and whispers, “Then be a good little baby doll and let me take care of you.”
Yearning floods my soul.Once upon a time, I loved sitting in his lap.He made me feel cherished.Adored.Safe.
I’m not a naïve little girl anymore.I don’t trust men—especially not him—and I need this job.
I harden my heart and curl my hands into fists.
