“Because…” My voice catches again. “You don’t like me, and I don’t like you.”
“Who says I don’t like you?”
My face snaps back to his so quickly, our noses bump. “Win.”
His hand at my ribs slides up, his thumb brushing the side of my breast. He smooths his palm around my shoulder, around my neck, cupping my jaw in his massive hand. Then, he tilts my chin until my lips meet his.
It’s only a light brush, a small touch, but it sends my whole world reeling. “Stop.”
“Why?”
“Stop asking why and get off me.”
Instead, he kisses me again. Another gentle brush. “I’ll give you your money back.”
I gasp in a breath, drawing in his. “Really?”
“But you have to promise to stay.”
I blink up at him before he dips down and kisses the corner of my mouth and then the tip of my nose. I feel the tears welling again. “I don’t think I should.”
“I thought you wanted to join forces?” And then he kisses my cheek.
My eyes flutter closed. Win is a man of power. And he has what my father lacks…control. But he must not have enough deep darkness for the job.
Then again, if he keeps kissing me like this, I might not either. “One more time. Stop.”
He kisses again. On my neck. And that’s when it hits me. I wanted to test Win tonight, to find out what he was made of.
And now I know.
In twenty-four hours, he’s tried three different methods and finally found the one that would bring me to my back.
He’s ruthless, and calculated, and in complete control. And his tests have been relentless, his methods methodical. He will beat my father, I’m sure of it.
“Fine,” I huff, as his lips slide lower. “I’ll stay.”
“Good girl.”
I start to tell him that I’m not a girl, but here I am under him, bending to his will. And I don’t know why that idea makes me soften further but it does, my legs sliding out from under his so that his hips settle into the V of my thighs.
I feel the hard ridge of his shaft pressing right between my legs, exactly where I ache, even as his lips slide over the pulsing vein in my neck.
I’ve never been more exposed, but I don’t feel in danger.
In fact, I think I want more.
CHAPTER TEN
Win
Watchinga strong woman open to me like a flower, might be the most satisfying thing I’ve ever seen.
I’ve built an empire.
This is better.
Her legs wrap around me, her torso arching into mine. Her hands are over her head, and her neck is exposed to me as she lets out a soft sigh.
