I don’t let my hand fall away like I’m sure he expects me to. Instead, I push my palm further into him, stepping forward and tilting my head so our cheeks are touching.
“I don’t want you to be uncomfortable. I’m trying to prove to you that I’m not broken and I don’t need fixing.”
“What do you need, Arianna?”
“I need you to stop treating me like a fragile bird.” The flimsy cotton of his pants does nothing to conceal his arousal as I rub slowly up and down his length. His eyes flutter closed, getting lost in the sensation, and his pelvis tilts as he pushes into my hand.
I move closer and speak against his lips, “Stop being a gentleman, Mr. King. I need a man.”
His hand wraps around my wrist and pulls me away from his groin, making me gasp. “Don’t push me, Arianna,” he grits out “You are testing me…Christ, you would test the patience of a saint, and I’m trying to do the right thing here, dammit.”
He scrubs his hands through his unruly hair and pushes past me to the bathroom, then shoves the door hard with his foot. It slams behind him, the noise reverberating through the entire apartment so hard that I feel my insides rattle.
Ugh, I handled that terribly. I actually have no idea how to deal with feelings of lust and frustration because I’ve never had to. He’s the only man who has ever brought it out in me. The only man who has ever made me feel desired. I desire him too.So much. He treats me with respect, but I’ve pushed him. I don’t want him to do something he’s not entirely comfortable with and it dawns on me that I’ve been unfair. In my wants and desires I’ve been selfish and thoughtless.
I head to the kitchen and make a coffee, but there’s still glass everywhere and I have nothing to clean it up with. He needs space for a few minutes and I need to calm myself before I push him further away, so I take up my usual position on the balcony, I rest my elbows on the wall. As usual, the world walks on by, seemingly trouble-free. What if he doesn’t want anything to do with me now? What if he finally takes my advice and decides it’s best for him to steer clear? He could cut ties and never look back. But could I?
Maybe he’s right. Maybe I am broken. Maybe I was never really whole in the first place.
I hear gentle footsteps behind me and I stiffen, bracing myself for the ache that I’m already starting to feel if he walks away. I close my eyes and when I can no longer hear his footsteps, I wait for the sound of the closing door.
It doesn’t come.
Instead, bare arms snake around my waist and pull me in tightly as Denham nestles his chin in my shoulder and buries his nose in my hair.
“I’m sorry.” His apology is barely audible, but no less sincere. “I wasn’t trying to tease and frustrate you. I can’t keep my hands off you, Ari. I don’twantto keep my hands off you. But you’ve…” He loosens his arms and turns me to face him. “You’ve been through so much, Arianna. I just want you to know what you’re doing and not feel like it’s what youshouldbe doing. You have a choice, you always have a choice, and I’m going to make you see that.” The lines of his jaw are still sharp and angular, but his features are soft. The look in his eyes is enough to get lost inand the little smile he is giving me hints that the best is yet to come.
I scold myself for immediately thinking the worst. I need to start ruling my past and not let my past rule me. “I’m sorry too. Can we start today over?” I ask hopefully.
“I’d like that. Can I cook you breakfast?”
“I don’t know. Can you cook?”
“Smart ass. I’ll have you know that I make the best pancakes and bacon. Now, go get some clothes on that hot little tush.”
Denham steps to the side and swats my ass as I walk past and I squeal and jog to the bedroom, unsure if he’s going to follow. I secretly want him to, but I know he won’t. He’ll be the gentleman and give me space to get dressed without the distraction of his impressive body and the risk of us hitting that damn wall he’s decided to put up.
I throw on dark blue jeans and a white tank, then rake a brush through my unruly hair and tie it all up in a messy bun. I decide against putting shoes on as we are only going across the hall. “Okay, let’s go, chef,” I call out as I walk back through the lounge.
Denham is in my now favorite spot on the balcony. The morning sunlight dances across his broad shoulders and I take him in as he takes in the world below. His triangular torso is sculpted to perfection—the kind of body that makes your fingers itch with the desire to touch. If he stood still in the street, I’m sure he would have people stopping just to admire.
He turns and smirks. “Ready for breakfast, Stunner?”
I nod, and he steps into me, taking my hand in his and kissing my cheek before leading me through the penthouse. He pulls open the door with his free hand, strides through, then stops abruptly. I slam into his shoulder and look up to find a tall, skinny blonde propped against the wall by the elevator.She looks almost as surprised to see us as we do her, but she composes herself quickly and slips on a mask of confidence.
“Well, well, well…” the blonde says, drawing the words out. “What do we have here? A little whore to keep you busy for a few days?”
Denham strides forward, taking me with him. His grip on my hand is tight, bordering on uncomfortable. “What the hell are you doing here?” he grates out.
“It seems we do have things to discuss after all…” the blonde replies, starting to look smug.
“Like what? The only thing I’m discussing with you is which way you are going to leave this building.”
“Denham, baby, that’s not very well mannered of you. You haven’t even introduced me to your…friend.” She looks me up and down, taking in our joined hands and curls her lip. The way she calls him baby makes my hackles rise and I’m consumed with jealousy that she uses an endearment for him. I’m also repulsed.
I’ve never felt such an intense dislike radiating from someone, the way it’s coming from Denham at this moment. I know his grip on my hands indicates that he still wants me here, but I’m starting to feel really uncomfortable. “I’m going to leave—”
“No,” Denham barks. “You’re not going anywhere. Amy was just leaving.” He steps forward and pushes the button for the elevator. He still has my hand, so when he moves I’m jerked forward. I wiggle my fingers to free myself of his grasp, but he tightens, not letting me go.
