“You don’t trust my father at all, do you?”
He smiled, swirling the liquid in his glass. “I’ve stayed alive this long because I refuse to trust anyone. Your father is a snake, capable of backstabbing anyone to increase his stature. However, he has no understanding that if he fucks with the deal we proffered or with my family, he will die by my hands.”
“You enjoy threatening people.”
“I do what I have to do in order to keep my family safe.”
He’d mentioned the word family far too many times. “Family. Wife? Kids? I’m just the flavor of the week or the day.” I laughed harshly before taking a sip of the champagne. Another expensive seduction method.
“I have never married and bringing a child into this world with the kind of danger surrounding me wouldn’t be prudent. I have a father who rules our entire family much like yours does.”
His words were perplexing, actually giving me pause. “Let me guess, you’re the prince in training.”
He chuckled at the thought, lifting his glass in a salute. “How astute of you.”
“This life makes you happy, selling drugs?”
Now he was the one who seemed surprised that I had an inkling of what his business was comprised of, or perhaps because I realized how horrible my own father was.
“I am… as happy as I can be. Our family is involved in other businesses as well, those considered more legitimate.”
He was choosing his words carefully.
“How sad. Everyone deserves to be happy, including monsters. I would think all the women you capture and keep could provide that happiness for you.” I knew the words I said had hurt him by the way he tilted his head. Maybe taking out my anger on him wasn’t in my best interest.
“No matter what you think, Valencia, I don’t have a harem of women. I date infrequently. Relationships have been difficult.”
“Maybe you just haven’t found the right woman.” I was acting as if this was just a normal conversation between friends. He’d never be a friend.
A full minute passed by, my nerves frazzled. I hid behind the glass, taking sip after sip, lightheaded almost immediately.
But not from the liquor.
Not from fear.
From the connection we shared.
“Perhaps.” He guzzled the entire glass of champagne, shifting slightly until he was able to face me. Even in the hint of the gorgeous moonlight, seeing his sculpted chest was like a magnet. He was gorgeous in every way, chiseled to perfection. “I have no plans on hurting you. I abhor abuse of women and I meant what I said. I will protect you until you are back in your father’s house.”
I could tell my lower lip was quivering and with every breath I took, I realized my heart was beating rapidly. “I don’t need protection.”
“My guess is that you do.” He inched even closer, brushing hair out of my eyes. “You are very beautiful, Valencia. I am certain there are many men who would do anything to have you. Never forget how incredible you truly are.”
Nothing could have shocked me any more than the words, as if he were a different man. As he closed the distance, the heat of his body combined with the soaring electricity left me breathless, no longer able to focus.
Or hate.
He caressed my skin, his thumb rubbing back and forth. “So very beautiful.”
I’d known men who’d reacted in this manner only to hurt me later. That’s why there’d only been one person I cared for. As he pulled the champagne glass from my hand, easing both down onto the table, his gaze turned possessive. Then he took me into his arms, every move so gentle and loving, romantic in every way, a complete change in demeanor. The night sky, the roaring ocean, and the way he hungered was almost able to break down my defenses.
Almost.
He cupped both sides of my face, his breath as scattered as mine. I had no idea what to expect or whether I should continue to be frightened of him. What I knew is that in my mind this night would be erased in my memories, gone forever. He wasn’t supposed to be in my world or I in his. This was just… dangerous.
As he lowered his head, his grip became firm, his fingers digging into my skin. He pulled me onto my tiptoes, forcing my mouth within centimeters of his. I fisted his shirt, clinging to him as if he were a lifeline instead of the irrefutable force of nature he’d made certain to show me. Yet with every touch, every additional second around him, I was drawn further into his quiet kingdom, hating myself for the very thought.
“I want you and I will have you. Tonight, you’ll beg me for more and I will enjoy every minute of breaking you.”
His words were frank. Not a threat but a statement, a man taking what he longed to have.
What he felt entitled to.
But he would never break me.
My lower lip quivered as he pressed his lips against my cheek, brushing them slowly down to my jaw. When he darted out his tongue, the tip barely touching, creating another wave of wetness between my legs, I couldn’t stop the guttural whimper.
He slipped his hand to my hair, yanking out the simple tie holding my long strands in place. “You should always wear your hair down.” The intensity of the sensations erupted from deep inside from his simple gesture of entwining his fingers around and around, finally tugging until my head was pulled back, exposing my neck.
I was breathless with wonder, my body swaying even in his firm grip.
He continued his path, sliding his tongue along the side of my neck, biting gently on my pulse of life. I shuddered, the sound strangled and knew I’d fall if he wasn’t holding me. How could such a dangerous man seem so romantic if only for a few moments in time, allowing me to see yet another side of him?
“I will lick every inch of you before I slide my cock deep inside,” he whispered then nipped my earlobe. “Then you will be mine.”
The words created a rush, my pulse increasing.
“Do you long to have my tongue buried deep in your sweet little pussy, lapping every drop of your cream?”