Chapter 13
J ago
For perhaps the first time in my life, the desire I felt wasn’t based solely on fulfilling my needs, accepting whatever pretty face suited me for the night. Did I long to fuck the sensual woman? There was no doubt about that, but my hunger had breached typical physical needs.
I found myself wanting to savor every moment, every breath and every touch of her fingertips against my already heated skin.
That wasn’t like me at all. I’d been characterized as a rogue, a man lacking passion.
No one would ever confuse me for some tireless romantic.
I’d come to accept that because caring about anyone’s feelings was the greatest weakness of all.
Especially given the possible loss I’d face at any given moment.
Then why was it I felt this way about a woman who hated my guts? Maybe that was partly the reason. Even after being forced to surrender to harsh punishment, her resolve remained rock solid.
Her hatred for me as well.
While she’d also been embarrassed, she’d held her own and I had to give her credit for that as well.
I found all her personal attributes just as enticing as her stunning looks. What disturbed me was that she’d somehow made me feel things I hadn’t felt before, or at least in a very long time. I should hate her for that as she did me.
But I couldn’t.
I simply wanted to peel away her layers of complexity.
Every part of me itched to pull her close, but it wasn’t the right time. Not yet. But soon.
Genevieve’s body was still trembling and she remained where she was.
Her long strands of hair cascaded over her shoulders, which allowed me a better view of the marks crisscrossing her bottom.
They would fade within a day. I’d gone easy on her on purpose.
Her skin was too delicate to destroy and doing so hadn’t been my intent.
She was too…
Even in my ruthlessness, I’d never been the kind of man to enjoy hurting a woman. Another reason I’d kept them at arm’s length.
“Release Marco. Now!” She’d suddenly found her voice, turning toward me, venom in her sapphire eyes.
“You are in no position to demand anything.”
“We had a deal. Honor it.” Whatever shame she’d felt before had vanished. She was doing her best to become comfortable in her nakedness.
Meanwhile, I was anything but comfortable. My cock had remained fully aroused the entire time I’d disciplined her. My balls were still aching. “First, you call off your men.”
She kept her glare for a full ten seconds before rolling her eyes and laughing. “You’re like a little boy fearful of the big, bad she-wolf.”
“Fascinating analogy, but I think it’s you who feel the fear.
” I took long strides toward the table where I’d placed her purse, yanking it into my hand.
I’d already taken her weapon, which I wasn’t surprised she’d been carrying, but I’d left her phone inside.
By now, her commander and his team were likely headed in our direction.
While I didn’t mind urban warfare, tonight I had no interest in losing time with aspects of business when I could savor so many rounds of pleasure.
She remained where she was as I walked toward her.
“Call your man. Tell him to back down.”
Fortunately, she didn’t bother asking what would happen if she didn’t. She’d gotten the message loud and clear. “And what else should I tell him?”
“That you’ll be staying the night but will be brought back safe and sound in the morning.”
As she snatched the phone from my hand, our fingers touched and I was delighted the same heightened level of electricity forged a path down the length of my arm. My attraction to her was a continuous flow of need.
The lady was smart, savvy and cunning, remaining in front of me as she dialed her commander, Emiliano Sanchez.
I’d learned a little more about him since my last encounter with her, including he’d been her single bodyguard during her years in New York.
Her father had trusted the man more than any other.
That meant Emiliano had significant influence over her.
I’d need to keep that in mind.
“Emiliano. No, I’m fine,” she said as she tilted her pretty little head. Goddamn, in her defiance I craved her even more. “Yes, you’re right. I’m with the prick of the year, but don’t worry, I can handle him. We’re just discussing business.”
I laughed and returned to my drink. Did she have any idea the vile things I wanted to do to her?
“No, not tonight. I’m going to be Mr. Torres’ guest for the evening.
Stop worrying.” She managed to laugh as if she didn’t have a care in the world.
Acting in front of me I could completely understand, but with her most trusted man?
That gave me an idea that I wasn’t the only one captivated by the connection we shared.
“Yes, Marco is with me, but he’ll be returning home shortly. Do not engage with the people who drop him off. Make certain both he and Bella stay safe. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” She ended the call and immediately walked toward me.
Was there anything sexier than a woman in high heels and nothing else? I thought not.
“Here. Take it,” she told me.
She’d added a caveat in that if I didn’t send Marco home tonight, which I honestly hadn’t planned on doing, Emiliano would send a couple dozen men to break them both free.
“Well played,” I told her.
Her smile was laced with just as much mischief as rebellion.
I shoved her phone into my pocket, retrieving mine and immediately dialing Kruz.
“Yes, sir?”
“Take our guest home. Make certain nothing happens to him.”
“What if we’re ambushed?” he asked.
“You won’t be.”
“Whatever you say.” Kruz chuckled. “I’ll report when we return.”
“Fine. I might be otherwise engaged.” I didn’t wait to hear his answer although I managed to catch his laughter.
Genevieve didn’t make a move to grab her dress, heading toward her drink instead.
I knew this was just her continued attempt at controlling me in a method best used by women.
However, her fully aroused nipples and the fragrant scent of her desire was a dead giveaway how much she craved my touch.
She threw back her drink and I did the same.
Her smile was wry and she carefully lowered the glass onto my desk, taking a few seconds to swirl the bottom across the wooden surface. I wasn’t in the mood to play coy, merely placing the glass on the table where I’d left it before.
When she moved closer, I wasn’t surprised.
Yet when she inched so close our lips were almost touching, I had to admit I was taken aback.
Perhaps she had no understanding she was playing a dangerous game with me.
If she truly believed she could use seduction as a weapon, my reputation hadn’t reached the United States.
Before I realized what I was doing, I had my fingers wrapped around her long neck. Her gasp was slight, her eyes lit up like torches.
“I’m no gentleman, Genevieve, but I won’t allow anything to happen to you or your family.”
“As long as I abide by your rules and those of a tainted alliance.”
“Precisely,” I half whispered and lowered my head, brushing my lips across hers.
She mewed and immediately used both hands to rip open my shirt. “We’ll see about that.” The moment she placed her fingers against my chest, a deep growl erupted from my throat.
We continued toying with each other, opening our mouths and allowing our lips to barely touch. When I pushed my thumb under her chin until she was forced to lift her head, she dragged her tongue across her lips.
I also wasn’t gentle in capturing her mouth. I shifted my hand until I held the back of her neck, tugging her as close to my body as possible.
She ground her hips back and forth, the friction created pushing every boundary and what little decency I had left. I thrust my tongue inside, swishing it back and forth across hers.
The way she arched her back, jerking my shirt from my trousers pushed the beast inside of me to the surface. My patience was already waning, my desire to take this slowly tossed away. If this was a game to her, she’d soon learn her actions were a mistake.
I would take what I wanted.
I tangled my fingers in her hair, roughly yanking her head and breaking the kiss.
She panted, an instant sly smile crossing her face as she ripped the bottom buttons from my shirt.
After raking the material over my shoulders, running her hands down my arms until it dropped to the floor, she pressed her hand between us.
The way she grabbed my thick bulge was meant to be painful, but I reveled in the awakening of every sense in my body.
Her laugh was as seductive as her actions and I reached down, grabbing her welted ass with my palm.
Every sound she issued as I squeezed her rounded flesh pushed me even further away from being able to take my time.
The pleasure from just kissing and touching her was unnerving, but I’d had my fill of being toyed with.
I lifted her off the floor, instantly carrying her toward my desk. The momentum was enough the heels fell from her delicate feet. When I eased her down onto the desk, she peered up at me with a sudden realization this wasn’t about playing a game any longer.
Her eyes darted back and forth and I expected her to try to bolt, but she spread her legs instead, the offering making my mouth water. Her pussy lips were already swollen, the inside of both legs glistening from uncontrollable desire.
I yanked her legs even further apart before gathering them into my arms. Her breathless sounds made my actions that much more uncontrollable.
Genevieve blinked at me with a dazed look in her eyes, but that was short lived. As soon as I pulled her bottom off the desk and further into my arms, I could tell by the look she was fighting her urges.
“Relax, my good girl. This won’t hurt a bit.” I bent over until I was able to drag the tip of my tongue around her clit.