Page 94 of Diamond In The Rough

“Not a great foundation.” Her words come out husky, while her eyes flicker between mine. “Perhaps it would be best if I leave. Since we so obviously cannot get along.”

“I don’t want you to leave.” I lower into a crouch and carefully push the delicate fabric of her dress along her thighs. Her skin breaks out in goosebumps that race all the way to her core. “But I’ll take you home if that’s what you want.”

“I don’t want to leave either.” She combs her fingers through my hair and tugs me back just enough to draw my eyes. Her lips tremble. The movement is subtle and small, but the nerves are there. It doesn’t take a blind man to miss them. “Can I stay the night, Micah?”

I press a kiss to her firm thigh and nod. “You can stay a thousand of them, if you want.”

“Just one.” She whimpers when I trace the tips of my fingers along her leg. “Will you protect me?”

“With my dying breath.” I hook a finger in her panties and gently pull them away. Already, she’s wet. Fiery. Needy. “I will protect you forever, Tiia Hale. I promise.” I dip my tongue into her soaked pussy, and groan when her hand tightens in my hair.

“Micah…” Her breath comes out on a shudder. Her thighs, squeezing around my shoulders. “Shit.”

“I’m gonna fuck you on this very expensive, extremely old, historical artifact.” I slip two fingers in and clamp down on my own need when she cries out. “The desk I know you wish belonged to you.”

“There’s something wrong with you.” And yet, she drops back and pants, lifting her legs to give me room to work. To allow me the perfect view. “This desk deserves more respect. It deserves to be in a museum, not to become your cum tray.”

I pump my fingers and snort. “Once we’re done fucking, I’m gonna take you to my bed and seduce you.” I unzip my pants with my free hand and unbuckle my belt with deft movements. The action sends bolts of pain through my palm and up into my wrist, but the promise of what’s to come steals that pain away just as quickly as it started. “Then maybe I’ll try making love to you.”

Her fluttering eyes flash open, and panic lances through her expression. Her entire body, languid and relaxed a moment ago, turns impossibly taut. “Micah…”

“Don’t overthink it.” I shove my pants down and free my cock, the purpling end swollen and desperate. Pre-cum dripping from the tip as the thick veins spread across and announce how ready I am. “Just enjoy it with me, Tiia. If you overthink it, I’ll overthink it. And for right now,” I remove my fingers from her tight pussy and line my cock up instead.

No rubber.

No question.

No discussion.

Just her cry of pleasure and pain when I steal my touch and replace it with more. With what we both want.

“Right now,” I repeat, “I’m enjoying the way being around you feels. I’ve never experienced this before.” I reach along her body and set my palm across her throat. Threatening, but not. I wrap my fingers across one side and my thumb on the other. Then, when she freezes—her eyes searching, her entire body stilling—I slam inside her cunt and revel in the way she throws her head back and screams.

“Swallow me up, Tiia.” I pull back to the tip, then barrel forward again to create a rhythm. “Good girl.”

18

TIIA

HIDDEN TREASURE

Ididn’t know this is where we would end up.

From running into a dangerous mafia enforcer on the street one night. To becoming the victim of his suspicion. To friends. To… well, something far more terrifying as my heart gallops in my chest, and my emotions… well, they went and fucked me over.

Is it possible to love a man you hardly know?

Is it right?

And what if that man was probably eventually going to prison? So you know you shouldn’t… you know you can’t. But still, your heart aches in the most lovely, profound, and certain way.

What do you do when you fall in love with a man who may go his whole life never seeing the wrong side of iron bars. But if that’s the way it goes, then surely, he’ll avoid them only by occupying an early grave, considering the company he keeps.

What do you do when your heart aches for a man whose future is bleak?

Bars or a box. Those are his two options. And because that’s all he gets to choose from, my entire body hurts in preparation. My soul quivers at the thought of losing the man who deserves so much better.

He’s educated. Talented. Smart. He’s skilled with numbers. His hands. He could make a living trading on the stock market, or he could putter away his days in the wild, jungle-like environment of a nursery.

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