Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
She studied me for a moment longer, white teeth sinking into her pillowy lower lip.
Fuck, I wanted to taste her lips, to tame her tongue with mine.
My muscles flexed as I suppressed the need to close the distance between us and sweep her up in a scorching kiss. I still wasn’t willing to scare her; Evelyn would never look at me with fear again.
Besides, I was skilled in seduction. I didn’t need to frighten her to coax her into my bed. She would give herself to me soon enough.
“Go on,” I prompted when she didn’t immediately move to obey me.
We would have to work on that. I was accustomed to having my orders followed without question or hesitation. If it weren’t for her traumatic circumstances, her delayed compliance would’ve irritated me. As it was, I had more patience for her reticence. She’d been through a lot, and she needed a little time to process her new reality. Once she accepted that she belonged with me, she would be much happier and more amenable. I would give her everything she could possibly desire, and she would be eager to please me, in return. Evelyn was tender-hearted and selfless; I’d seen those qualities during the days I’d been stalking her.
Soon, that devotion would be directed at me. She would be mine, body and soul.
“Breakfast will be here soon,” I told her when she continued to linger. “You need to eat.” I gestured toward the ensuite again. “You have fifteen minutes.”
Her chin tilted in that same defiant posture she’d shown last night. It should’ve irritated me, but I was consumed by the nearly overwhelming urge to take her in my arms and kiss all the defiance from her fragile frame, until she melted against me. She would promise to obey me, promise me anything if I would just give her more pleasure. She might not realize it yet, but our chemistry was electric. She would love being my good girl.
“Now, Evelyn.” My firm tone allowed no room for argument.
A light shiver raced over her, and her eyes dropped to the floor, as though forcibly breaking from the power of my steady stare. She moved stiffly as she walked the short distance to the bathroom, keeping her eyes averted from mine. Her posture remained defiant, but she complied, locking the door behind her.
I took a breath and struggled to master my lust. The small power play had stirred all of my most wicked instincts. I ached to touch her, to make her melt in my hands. I wanted her panting and pleading for more.
A knock on the door to the suite distracted me from my internal battle, cooling my mounting need for her. I pulled on a lightweight black robe and crossed into the sitting room, accepting the breakfast that waited outside on a wheeled cart. I thanked the server and brought the cart into the suite myself, ensuring that Evelyn and I had complete privacy.
I’d just finished setting the small dining table when I heard the bathroom door unlock.
“Come here, farfallina,” I called out, another firm order. “It’s time to eat.”
I wouldn’t allow her to neglect her needs. Evelyn was my responsibility now, and I would make sure that she was well cared for. She would never want for anything ever again.
She appeared at the threshold to the sitting room, her lovely eyes narrowed on me. “You can’t just order me around like that.”
I met her with a cool stare of my own, my brows raised expectantly. “You’re hungry.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I am not.”
“I warned you not to lie to me, Evelyn.” I said with the edge of a growl. I didn’t tolerate dishonesty.
She huffed out a frustrated breath. “Fine. I’m hungry. But that doesn’t mean I’ll let you boss me around.”
My mouth quirked in a crooked smile. She was cute when she was indignant.
I simply pulled out a chair for her and waited, keeping her locked in my expectant stare.
She glared at me and dug in her heels, lips pressing to a thin, angry line.
“You can sit down and eat your breakfast, or I can feed it to you while you sit in my lap.” Even as I issued the ultimatum, the prospect of following through on my threat stirred my darkest carnal urges.
I was almost disappointed when she released an exasperated breath and strode toward the table. Her obedience should please me, but I craved to cuddle her close and feed her from my own hand. Now wasn’t the time to hold her against her will, but I resolved to fulfil that particular fantasy soon.
She sat stiffly, her back ramrod straight.
“Good girl,” I purred, and she bristled at the praise.
“I don’t want to be here,” she announced, keeping me fixed in that defiant glare. “I’m not behaving out of some desire to please you. I know I can’t fight you. I can’t outrun you. But you’re making a mistake keeping me here. The DEA will figure out where I am, and—”