Chapter 23
After throwing her conditions at me, Jackie wanted to go home. I told her no—that she should pick one of the rooms, because I need at least a minimum level of control over this infuriating woman.
Where the hell is the sweet girl I imagined she was? In her place stands this goddess of lust, demanding that in order for me to have access to her sweet pussy, we have to build a connection.
As I drive through Manhattan’s empty streets in the middle of the night, I weigh my options, but from where I stand, I see no other choice but to make her my wife.
Connection.
Men don’t build connection. We get turned on and fuck the woman in question. When that desire lasts, I guess that’s called marriage.
If it were any other woman I was being forced to marry, I’d keep things on paper only and keep seeing my partners, but I’m honest enough to admit there’s no way I could have her as my wife for five years and still look at other women.
Fuck, she drove me insane with the way she came for me earlier today.
I don’t even realize I’m nearing her place until I spot the redhead, Taylor, on the sidewalk.
Jackie told me she’s pregnant, so my conscience won’t let me leave someone who’s already been through hell, like she has, exposed to risk. I don’t know how much the person—or people—after me know about the two of them.
I shut off my car and pull my hood over my head.
She startles when she sees me, but recognition sets in quickly.
“Be careful,” I warn.
Taylor looks at me, alarmed.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Exactly what I said. I have enemies. You should stay close to your boyfriend.”
“Where’s Jackie?”
“With me. She’ll be moving into my place soon.”
I just made that decision. I’m not taking any chances with her safety.
“I want to talk to her.”
“Call her tomorrow,” I say. “Now go home, Taylor.”
As I start to walk away, I catch sight of her baby’s father approaching. I didn’t exactly grow up with a shining example of fatherhood at home, but this guy has managed to set the fucking bar even lower. With a father like his, you don’t need enemies.
I get back in the car and drive straight home.
There’s no way out. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her.
Tomorrow, I’ll tell her I accept her conditions.
I doubt she’ll stick to that sentimental idea for long, anyway.
I’m experienced. Jackie burned like fire in my hands.
Our desire is mutual and uncontrollable.
Let’s see how long she lasts having me as her husband without fucking me.
In my building’s garage, I cut the engine and wave off the security detail that followed me with a nod.
I take the fire stairs instead of the elevator.
Inside the apartment, the silence tells me she’s probably already asleep.
I head straight for the shower and let the almost-cold water run over my naked body for a long while.
The strength of my attraction to Jackie caught me off guard.
Once I got past the barrier of seeing her as a sister until recently, I never imagined, even with her beauty, that the moment I touched her, I’d be hooked.
I want to take her body in every way, and the idea of being tied to her for a set number of years doesn’t feel unbearable.
If I’m being honest, I like the thought of having her bound to me.
I turn off the water, dry myself, and pull on a pair of boxer briefs.
I’m heading toward the bed when I hear a noise in the hallway.
I open the door, and Jackie is walking past, heading to the room she picked.
“I was thirsty,” she says when she sees me, holding up a glass of water.
I nod as if to say I understand.
“What does this connection you’re talking about mean?” I ask.
“Make me want to give you more than my body. I can’t fight the attraction I feel for you, Lucifer. With one touch, you can own me, but I want more. I don’t want to feel empty afterward.”
“Catching feelings for me is a bad idea, Jackie.”
“I can decide that for myself. And I’m not talking about love, I’m talking about a desire that lasts.
I don’t even know you. Out of nowhere, you come to me with a proposal to get married for my protection.
I trust you, and I know you wouldn’t take such a drastic step if there were another way, but I don’t want to feel used or obligated to have sex just because we’re husband and wife. ”
“From where I’m standing, that’s a damn good reason.”
She’s wearing the T-shirt I lent her, which almost reaches her knees, her hair still damp from her shower. My eyes drop to her legs and slowly trail upward as I try to guess if she’s not wearing anything underneath.
She seems to know what I’m thinking, because her hands tug the shirt even lower, as if to cover herself.
I take a step forward, even though I have no intention of touching her.
“I’m not an animal. I’d never touch you against your will.”
“It would never be against my will.”
“I could turn the tables on you. Give you a taste of your own medicine.”
“How?”
“I could make you ache for me, Jackie. Make you come just from me telling you what I want from you.”
I watch her throat move as she swallows hard.
“Come here.”
“I…”
“Come. You said you wanted connection. It’s a two-way street.”
She hesitates for a moment before stopping in front of me.
“Touch me.”
“Where?” she asks.
“Wherever you want.”
She sets the glass down on a console table and comes back to me. I know she’s focused, her eyes on my tattoos, and I press my hands to my sides to keep from touching her.
I stay still, even when her palms land on my chest.
“I love all your ink.”
“We can get some art for your body too.”
“I don’t like pain.”
“No pain at all?” I ask before I can stop myself, because I have a feeling she’s lying.
“What kind are we talking about?”
“I’m not sure you want to hear. I don’t understand your rules for building connection. I’ve never done anything like this before.”
“I think we can tell each other anything.”
“I like to fuck hard” I shake my head, picturing her on all fours in my bed while I take her from behind. “I want my finger marks on your thighs and ass. I want you to look in the mirror and know you’re my wife.”
And only when I say it, do I realize it’s true. I want to mark her.
I’ll never be hers forever. The more time we spend together, the more likely she’ll come to hate me. But I don’t want her to ever forget me.