“Respect you? Or fear you?”
“Both.”
“Love isn’t fear, and respect goes both ways. You want my respect, you need to earn it by treating me as your equal, not some toy you want to dominate. I’m not one of the girls from your bar who are into that shit.”
A hand snakes its way around my front, pulling me back onto his body, the knee settled between my thighs forcing them open as his hand moves around the front, running through my thin strip of pubic hair before sliding right through my pussy. “Liar,” he growls into my ear, his words causing goosebumps to scatter over my arms.
“My body is just confused,” I murmur, knowing exactly what he’s feeling—my dripping pussy, and it’s not from the shower. It’s from him, and even I have no idea why fighting with him turns me on so much, but apparently it does.
“Your body is desperate to submit to me.” He pushes two thick fingers deep inside me, and I want to melt into him. I want to take every damn thing he has for me. But I can’t. Not this time.
“Flower,” I murmur my safe word, my chest heaving as I say it, because him stopping is the last thing I really want.
He freezes. “What did you say?”
“Flower,” I say with more certainty.
He stops pumping his fingers in and out of me immediately and pulls them free, his warmth disappearing.
“I want to touch you,” I whisper, knowing it’s asking the impossible, but if he can’t trust me to touch him, this is never going anywhere.
He backs away from me as a fresh wave of hurt crashes over me.
My lungs fight for a full breath, my body so damn tight with tension I don’t dare move from the position he put me in.
“Be ready to leave at four,” he snips, then he’s gone.
With shaky legs, I step back under the spray, letting the water fall over my eyes as silent tears rip through my chest. He demands everything from me but will give me nothing in return. And as much as that hurts like crazy, the big fat slap back to reality is exactly what I needed.
Chapter 29
Stop
Inthefancyreddress Jagger selected for me, I walk through the front foyer doors of the Moretti family casino Sinners Paradise on Asher’s arm. He looks gorgeous, they all do, but their looks were never up for dispute. If attraction was all it took, then I would be theirs, hook, line, and sinker. Unfortunately, there is a little more to a real relationship.
My stomach has been in knots since I had that damn fight with Jagger. As much as I kept to myself today, I could feel the tension in the air. They know I’m not myself, I can see it in the way they look at me. As usual, Georgina worked her magic and painted my make-up all glamorous and flawless, with ruby-red lips and gold eye shadow. She also found a sexy-as-hell long blonde wig to complete the look, and I have to say, with the shade of my dress, I not only look a million dollars, I look like a new person. Maybe this version of Daisy has the balls to do what I need to. With my gun strapped to my thigh, I almost feel like a Bond girl. That has to give me an edge, right?
Jagger hands me a glass. “Sparkling apple juice for the lady.” He grins like the motherfucker we all know he is.
“Thanks,” I sass through clenched teeth. Asshole, keeping up his promise to stop me from drinking tonight. He has to know he’s only helping to dig his grave.
I’m led around the party and introduced to anyone they decide is important. I’m not here properly though, not really. I’m twitchy and on edge, looking for an escape or a way out of this party, but from what I can see, the exits are all covered with armed men in suits. I also haven’t seen Sloane yet, but I’m dying to find her. She might be my only hope with such tight security.
Cruz takes my hand in his. “Stop fussing, little darlin’, you’re making me nervous.”
I glare at him, a fuck-off look that could turn him to stone.
He drops my hand like I just burned him. “What the hell, Daisy?” He looks me over, and I see the hurt in his eyes; it mirrors my own. Then he shakes his head and mutters something about needing a drink before wandering off in the direction of the bar.
Asher drops his lips to my ear as he backs me into a quiet corner. “Are you okay?” he whispers, trying to keep his voice light.
“Why wouldn’t I be, Ash,” I snip back, still searching the room in front of me for Sloane. I’m getting desperate. If I don’t find her soon, I’m not sure what I’m going to do.
He pulls me into his arms, and the kiss he presses onto my lips is so hot it feels like the ground is shaking around us. “What are you doing?” I whisper when I pull away from him, trying to catch my breath.
“Trying to snap you out of this.” He waves his hand over me.
“A drink might help.” I smile at him, all charming, knowing very well he won’t go against boss’s orders. But it’s worth a try.
