Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 53764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
"Then I couldn't be mad, could I?"
Marco watched Natalie as she gripped the railing behind her with both hands and tried, unsuccessfully, to control the fine trembling of her limbs. He knew he was being an ass but he couldn't stop himself. He was mad, and it was her fault he was mad, at least that's what he was telling himself. He felt as if he was caught. Caught in her hold that he couldn't shake. He didn't want to shake it, damn it. He'd been perfectly happy before yesterday. He'd been able to monitor her movements and he knew exactly when she left the penthouse and where she went. Or so he had thought.
It hadn't really been that way, but he hadn't known it. And now, now she was asking him to trust her, to trust her for God's sake, when he'd never trusted a woman in his life. He didn't know how to trust her. But evidently, if he wanted to keep her, and he did, he'd have to learn how to trust her, and quickly. So yes, he was a bit pissed. Pissed at her for her demands, pissed at himself because he wouldn't just relinquish her. Just let her go. He knew if it had been any other female that's exactly what he'd do. She'd be gone. Gone in a heartbeat. That quickly.
But not Natalie. He was addicted. Completely. He knew it. And goddamnit, Natalie probably knew it as well. He knew he was sexually addicted to her; there was no other explanation. He was addicted to her scent, enthralled with the sweet sounds she made when he slid inside of her. He was completely intoxicated with her taste. Her skin was so soft, so sweet he almost couldn't stand it. He physically wanted to lick her; sometimes he wanted to actually bite into her flesh. But he couldn't, at least, not beyond a certain point. He loved it when her thighs would clench around him in need, it set off a ravenous hunger inside of him that he didn't think he'd ever be able to quench.
As she watched him warily now, he felt himself calm down a bit. She had been excellent, had given him exactly what he wanted. And he shouldn't be taking it out on her now. "Come here."
Her eyes flared and he realized she was agitated by his demand. Did she think he was going to rip her pants off again? He damn sure wanted to. But not now. Now he had something to prove to her.
He only hoped it would do the goddamn trick.
Natalie eyed him as he held out his hand to her, silently demanding she take it. She took the few steps needed and put her fingers in his palm. His hand gripped her hard and his fingers entwined with hers as he pushed the button to complete the downward descent.
The doors opened and Natalie realized they were all the way down in the underground parking garage. He pulled her over and led her to his car and pointed. "What do you think?" he asked her.
Her brow furrowed. "About your car?"
"No--about yours," he announced.
"My what?"
"Your car."
Natalie felt nothing but confusion as she looked around for the small green compact that her cousin had previously lent to her. "Where is it?"
"Next to mine. The grey Lexus."
Natalie almost choked. "The grey what?"
He pulled her over to a beautiful, brand-new car with sleek grey lines. "The Lexus. This one." He pulled a remote key from his pocket and pressed a button. Natalie heard the subdued double-click of the doors automatically unlocking.
She shook her head back and forth and mumbled, "I don't understand."
"What is it you don't understand?"
Her voice became stronger. "How is this going to prove you trust me? You bought yourself an additional car, equipped it with another GPS locater, and you're going to allow me to drive it?" The sarcastic, biting question had barely left her lips when he moved the few inches that separated them and stood in front of her, glaring down at her.
"That's your one free pass. I truly don't like sarcasm coming from those pretty lips when it's directed at me, you understand?"
She studied him intently, holding herself stiffly. "This is one of those moments, isn't it, Marco? One of those moments when you get to be you, and I'm not supposed to be scared or feel intimidated, right?"
His hands fell to her upper arms and his thumbs kneaded her flesh. "That's right, sweetheart. I don't want you to be scared, but you will do as I say. Capisce?"
Her lips tightened. "If you don't want sarcasm from me, I expect the same from you."
He gripped her arms. "Do you like the damn car or not?"
"It's very pretty, if that's what you're asking me."
"I hope you think so, because it's not mine. It's yours. I bought it in your name. I'm going to give you the title. And there's not a fucking locater in it."