Page 59 of Controlled

“You’re right, my perfect dancer. I am certifiable, and very dangerous, capable of doing the kind of heinous activities that would haunt you for the rest of your life. Yet I assure you that my intentions with you are entirely pure.”

“Pure? Do you really expect me to believe that?” She jerked her head away, prepared to rise from her seat.

“Sit the fuck down,” I growled, although I kept a smile on my face.

A flash of fear in her lovely eyes disgusted me. This was supposed to be a perfect night of passion and even fun, something I knew little about. I wasn’t going to allow her to ruin it.

When she continued being the rebellious little vixen I’d experienced from the start, acting as if she was going to toss the rest of her champagne in my face, I snapped my hand around her wrist.

“I suggest you remember who you are with and where you are physically secured at the moment, my darling. I don’t want to hurt you in any way, but I will in order to keep you safe.”

She swallowed and glanced out the window, obviously calculating a plan of how she might get away while in New York. I noticed she wasn’t trying to break free from my hold although she remained tense.

When she finally looked back into my eyes, she blinked only once before glancing at the necklace I still held in one hand. “You’ll promise me you won’t hurt my mother.”

“Absolutely. I meant what I said. She will be well cared for and protected. No one will know where she is.”

“Does that mean she’s in danger as well?”

“Yes, it could very well mean that, Bella. I don’t want that for you.”

She nibbled on her bottom lip this time, finally starting to relax to some degree. “While she hates me and has since the day I was born, she’s still my mother. I’m sorry about yours but she’s all I have.”

“I understand more than you realize. I miss mine as well and if things would have turned out differently, perhaps I’d be a better man. That’s something I’ll strive to become.”

“Why?”

I wasn’t certain why I’d said the words. I didn’t need to convince her of anything. She did belong to me. As I searched my mind, I realized that I honestly did wish I could be a better man. Maybe that was something she could do as well, remind me why being human was vital. “Because of you. And so you know. When I noticed the gunman trying to take your life, I would have gladly stepped in front of the bullet to keep you alive. You mean that much to me.”

For the first time, I sensed a moment of real softness, the sweetness that was an innate emotion in the woman presenting itself all over again. Where I refused to accept pity from anyone, no matter how luscious or beautiful, the look she was giving me wasn’t that. It was something else.

Her eyes shimmered this time as if finding a crumb of a man she could like. She even rewarded me with a slight smile. “The necklace is beautiful but it’s too much.”

“Nonsense,” I told her, releasing my hold. “It will be my pleasure to provide you with the finest things in life. Anything that your heart desires can and will be yours.”

I was surprised she didn’t say ‘for a price’, but she remained quiet, thinking about the situation. I was no fool. Trusting her would take a lengthy period of time but for tonight, perhaps we’d be able to enjoy a nice evening together as a couple.

I liked the word more than I’d thought I would.

“May I do the honors?” I asked and pulled the necklace from the box.

She appeared nervous all over again but nodded, slowly shifting in her seat to allow me access to her neck.

Instead, I pulled her into my lap, which forced a slight moan from her lips. She would soon realize exactly what she did to me, my cock at full attention already and the night was still young.

Her tension returned as I carefully placed the necklace around her neck, taking my time to fasten it. Her breathing was irregular, which was completely understandable. I was almost immediately intoxicated by the perfume she’d chosen, the change in what she’d been wearing perfect for the evening.

When the necklace was fastened, she pressed her hand against it and I marveled at her long fingers. They were so delicate, just like she was. The girl was easily breakable but not in the way she was thinking I intended on doing.

Taming, yes. But why would I break a sweet soul such as hers?

“Beautiful,” she whispered.

“Yes, you are. In every way. I have a few surprises in store for you tonight. I do hope I please you.”

And I did. As odd as it sounded. I wanted her laughing and happy, her eyes lighting up as they had after her performance the other night.

I also wanted her to dance just for me, to put all her heart and soul into a prized number that no one else had seen. She was my prized possession, my perfect wish, and the only woman my heart could fall for.

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