Her expression was faintly puzzled.
“I never want you to feel caged, but I also realize life with me will be an extreme change for you and you’ll need time to adjust. Any time, and I mean every time you leave this apartment or go anywhere at all without me, you’ll have a man on you. And only one of my most trusted. You will be protected at all times.”
Her eyes widened in alarm, but he plunged ahead before she freaked herself out more than she was already.
“I’ll want you available to me at all times. There will be times when Iwant you with me when I have to go out. When I’m home, you’ll be here with me. When you aren’t with me, I’ll want to know where you are and who you’re with at all times. I will not be pleased if you forget to inform me of your plans.”
She swallowed nervously.
“I’ve already informed your employer that you’ll no longer be working there.”
He broke off when she gasped and shot her a warning look that silenced the protest forming on her lips.
“Your girls are taken care of. Their rent has been paid for the next two years and I secured a written guarantee from their landlord of no increase in rent for the next ten years. And tomorrow, I need you to get your parents’ bank account number as well as the routing number so I can wire the necessary funds so that they will no longer have any financial worry, and neither will you continue to work yourself to the bone to provide for them.”
Evangeline’s jaw was clenched tight and she trembled from head to toe, whether in anger or just emotion he wasn’t sure. But knowing how much pride she had, he doubted it was the latter and most definitely the former.
“You stepped into my world willingly, Angel,” he said softly. “And therefore, you agreed to my rules, my way. I promised you would be taken care of and never want for anything, and that extends to the people who matter to you.”
Tears glittered brightly, hanging on her dark lashes, such a contrast to her honey blond hair and mesmerizing blue eyes.
“It’s easy to see what I get out of this arrangement,” she said in a strangled tone. “But what doyouget, Drake? Because from where I’m sitting, you aren’t getting the better end of the bargain by a long shot. In fact, I don’t see that you’re getting anything at all. Sowhywould you do all of this?”
“You, Angel. I getyou.Allof you. And believe me, you’re damn wrong about you getting the better end of the bargain. The way I see it, I’ll be forever trying to catch up, because having you is worth more than all the money in the world.”
He saw her look of shock and the instant eruption of chill bumps on her arms.
“All you need to do is be you, babe, and from what I already know, that isn’t going to be a problem, because you don’t have a fake bone in your body. And by being you, you’re going to be mine, and I protect and take care of what is mine. Give me your body, your submission, your obedience, your trust andyou, and everything will be all right. I promise you that.”
“I don’t know what to say,” she said helplessly.
“You’ve already said enough. You told me yes. You’ve given me your trust. And to be honest, enough has been said tonight already. Right now, I’m going to take you into the bedroom and make you mine.”
Drake stood and then simply slid his arms underneath her body and lifted her effortlessly into his hold and strode toward the bedroom. He laid her down on the bed with reverence that brought a knot to her throat. He followed her down, molding his mouth to hers in a hot, breathless kiss that was all consuming.
He broke away only to rain a trail of kisses down her jaw to just below her ear and nibble lightly at the sensitive skin, eliciting a cascade of chill bumps down her body. Then he licked at her lobe before sucking it gently between his teeth, nipping with just enough force to send shivers of desire down her spine.
He leaned up again and his face hovered directly over hers so their eyes met and she could see the burning intensity in his dark gaze.
“You are beautiful, Angel. And before tonight is over you’ll not only know how beautiful you are, you’ll feel it too.”
Oh my God. This man was lethal.
Slowly, as if she were the most precious thing in the world, he undressed her, piece by piece. Each time another item was divested, he would dip his mouth and explore the newly exposed region. She was gasping and arching into his touch and she still wasn’t fully unclothed.
When her bra loosened, she experienced a brief moment of panic. Her breasts were just... average. Not firm and they wouldn’t be “perky” without the aid of a push-up bra. She’d purchased one only because in her line of work, displaying what few assets she had was to her advantage. They weren’t saggy. They were just there and a little squishy. Ugh.
“What the hell is going through your head right now?” Drake murmured as he stared into her eyes.
“You don’t want to know,” she muttered.
“Stop thinking,” he ordered in a commanding tone that had her quivering to her core.
His eyes glittered and she got her first true glimpse of the dominant man she’d given herself to.
“Just feel,” he said, his voice softening from the dominant alpha male to what could only be described as a purr.
“Okay,” she whispered.
