“No? And how did you mean it? Is that what you think, even after Cantwell?”
I hated how vulnerable I sounded, how her words had wounded me. She walked over to me, her fingers caressing my cheek.
“No, it’s not,” she said, a deep sigh slipping from her. “I know that’s not what you want. That you love me, even if you fell in love with me in a creepy way,” she added, her tone playful.
I scowled, not ready to reciprocate.
“I love you, Grey. But I can’t sit around playing house while you work. It’s not in my nature. I need to keep busy. I need to work and I promise I’ll still be in your bed or my bed, naked and ready for you to take me.”
I yanked her to me, taking the shirt from her hand.
“I’ll find you something, but you can’t work in my firm.”
“And you’ll let me go back to my apartment?”
My jaw clenched. I didn’t want her out of my sight, but I still had the cameras set up so I could monitor her, and I could have her guarded when I couldn’t be with her.
“Yes, but with security.”
“Security? Is that necessary? It’s bad enough they follow us everywhere. Why do they do that, anyway?” Her brow had furrowed, suspicion sitting within her eyes.
“I’m worth a lot of money, Riley. I need security and now that you’re part of my life, you do, too.”
I wasn’t certain she bought the excuse, but she didn’t question it.
“Fine,” she muttered, trying to move from my hold.
“Where do you think you’re going?” I asked.
“You need to get ready for work and I need to find a job.”
“I’ll find you a job.” I noticed how the crease between her brows deepened. “But I need a shower first.”
She struggled to free herself from my arms, but I held her tight.
“Go shower then,” she complained. “And let me go.”
“I want you in that shower, Riley. That water needs to be warm and soaking your naked body before I walk in.”
She shivered, relaxing into my hold.
“Then you’ll turn that ass around, like a good girl, so I can punish you for that earlier comment.”
Her brow raised as her lips pursed.
“I think a few good slaps to that ass should suffice before I fuck you again.”
Her eyes had grown so large, the emerald was breathtaking. I released her and turned her toward the bathroom, giving her a loud smack on her ass. Her squeal was like her hand on my cock, and it leaped to life again. “Start moving, baby girl, before I add to my count.”
She peered over her shoulder at me, her hand rubbing her ass cheek. The look she gave me had my stomach flipping, and I returned it with a devious grin to match the hunger in those eyes.
I made good on my promise, delivering enough light slaps to leave her completely soaked and me so hard it ached before I yanked her hips back and took her there, the water pouring over us and muting our satisfied groans.
Chapter Eighteen
RILEY
Greyson sat across from me at my small table. My mouth was unflatteringly agape as I stared at him.