Page 33 of Obsession

“I think you’re a product of the life you’ve led.” He shrugged, although his arms never moved from around her. “It might surprise you to know I wasn’t so different from you at your age.”

“You weren’t?” She considered turning toward him but then remembered her reddened face and remained where she was.

“No, I wasn’t,” he confirmed. “I was selfish and arrogant in my early twenties. That’s how I first met your father.”

“It certainly sounds like him.” A chill raced over her at the mention of Alexander. “He’s still those things, except now I guess I can throw in ‘broke’ as well.” She shook her head at the depressing thought. How had her father lost all of his money? She didn’t spend that much.

“Yes, he’s no role model, that’s for sure.” His tone was reluctant, as though he regretted mentioning Alexander. She certainly wished he hadn’t. The reminder about why she was there did nothing to perpetuate their passionate afterglow. “But the fact you’re a decent person tells me he had little to do with your upbringing.”

“He didn’t have anything to do with me for years.” She had no idea why she was telling him this. It wasn’t as if her past had anything to do with Tucker or that she was intending to stick around and share stories, but somehow, it was comforting to just talk. After so much conflict and aggravation, the explanations were as heartening as they were easy. “He actually denied I was his for a long time. Mum had to prove it with DNA.”

“Why am I not surprised?” He sighed, his head rising to kiss her ear. “He’s a lousy human being.”

“So, why did you lend him so much money?” The question came to her in a rush, but abruptly, it became the center of her focus. If Tucker loathed Alexander so much, why lend him anything at all?

“I lend lots of people money, little girl.” His hand drifted to her throat, grazing her skin as he went on.

She tensed at the touches, unsure if they were an unspoken threat or just a sign of the type of man she’d bedded. Either way, her heart sprinted at the prospect that one explanation was true.

“The interest they owe makes me a lot of money.”

“Are you rich?” she blurted out and instantly regretted it. Tucker’s financial position was none of her business, and furthermore, she shouldn’t care about it. She was going to get away and leave him behind her. It didn’t matter if he was a pauper or a billionaire.

“That’s very direct of you.” He didn’t sound angry, but the way the finger at her neck stroked her skin insistently suggested otherwise. Maybe she’d gone too far? Why hadn’t she thought before she’d opened her mouth?

“I know, I’m sorry, sir.”

Her chest rose and fell as she struggled to regain her composure. She considered moving her hand to his and shifting it from its place at her throat but hesitated. It was a risky approach. She didn’t want to piss him off even more.

“That’s okay.” His huge hand hovered at her throat for a moment, closing over her and holding her for one long second before slowly gliding back to her breast and tormenting her other nipple.

She exhaled at the change, her pussy clenching at the fresh stimulation. Ella had always adored having her breasts and nipples played with, and Tucker’s expert touch seemed able to stimulate her with little effort.

“I don’t mind talking about my money.”

Thank God.

Being there with Tucker was such a headfuck. One instant, she was ready to fuck him again, and the next, she was worried he might hurt her, but the worst of it was she might even find the danger in him attractive.

“Yes, I’m a rich man,” he went on. “But I’m guessing I’m not like any of the playboys you usually party with?”

“No, sir.” That was the understatement of the millennium. “You’re certainly not.”

“Too old?” His tone was wry.

“Older…” She was careful with her choice of words. “Although that wasn’t the word I’d have chosen.”

Naturally, she’d noticed Tucker’s advancing years. He must be close to twice her age, but his ripped body and strength had revealed a man more than capable of keeping up with her previous lovers. His age hadn’t been an issue for her at all.

“Really?” His digits paused at her nipple. “Then tell me, what word would you have chosen, little girl?”

“Edgier.” Pulling in a breath, she turned her face toward him. “There’s something about you, Tucker, and however much time we spend together, it never goes away.”

“Is there?” He eased himself upright on the bed, leaving her stretched out over his semi-erect cock. “And what do you think that might be?” A dark twinkle shone in his blue eyes, the gleam encouraging the butterflies in her belly to stretch their wings at the same time.

“I don’t know, sir.” Her attention flitted from his dick to his face. “But it makes me nervous.”

Chapter Thirteen

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