Page 52 of Addiction

He didn’t understand the pang of discouragement that resonated at her reply. After all, she was right. The apartment wasn’t her home, and even though he owned it, he rarely ever spent time there. So, what was the big deal? Why did he feel so pained at her perfectly reasonable logic?

“My home is still with Susie,” she continued as though she had inherently understood his response. Perhaps his expression had given it away.

“You’ve never lived on your own?” He didn’t know why he was asking. She’d inferred as much, hadn’t she? Ella was the spoilt little rich girl who’d always gotten what she wanted. Or at least she had been until she’d tumbled into Tucker’s hands.

“No.” She rose on tiptoes to skim a kiss over the place her fingers caressed. “Not yet. Do you recommend it, sir?”

“I might have done.” His hand rose to capture hers, and lifting it to his mouth, he kissed the tips of her fingers. “But not for you, little girl.”

“Why not?” A line appeared in her otherwise flawless brow. “Don’t you think I’m capable?”

“You’re more than capable.” There had been a time not so long before that he’d found the idea of Ella surviving on her own amusing, but he’d learned enough about his little girl in the last few days to know she’d not only survive but thrive. She might have been used to a luxurious life, but when she was pushed, they’d both discovered she had real mettle. “But you won’t ever be on your own while I’m around.”

“I’m glad.” An impish smile flashed on her lips. “I’ve grown to quite like having you around, sir.”

“Quite like?” His tone was teasing, despite his arching brow. “Is that right?”

“At first, you were a little suffocating.” She shrugged, devils dancing in her gorgeous green eyes as she backed toward the enormous bed in the center of the room. “But I grew to love that possessive streak, sir.”

She grew to love it?

A reflexive rush of excitement flooded his system as he tugged at the towel at his waist.

“You did, huh?” He paused as the bed covers grazed the back of the robe she was wearing, ensuring there was still a foot between them.

He loved this lively vigor they shared but wouldn’t do anything to outright intimidate her. Those days of taking what was his without asking were over. He seemed to have left the desire back in the cabin. From this point on, he needed Ella to crave him the way he wanted her. Sure, her body had always been willing, but now he longed for her mind and her soul as well.

He would have all of her.

“Yes, sir.” She peered around at the bed, trailing her fingertips over the covers.

“Anything else you’ve grown to love, little girl?”

“Of course.” Her smile grew. “I love how smart you are, sir, and hearing about your experiences. You have a few years on me, so there are things I can learn from you.”

“Yeah.” He chuckled, inching closer. “I noticed the age difference. I was hoping you wouldn’t mind it.”

“Mind it?” She stepped forward, splaying her fingers against his chest. “Why on Earth would I mind?”

“Well, you know?” The electricity between them was growing. He swore he sensed it raising the hairs on his arms as he tugged her to him. “It’s not for everybody.”

“That’s good.” She placed a hot kiss between the hairs on his chest. “Because I don’t want everybody. Only you.”

She lifted her chin to meet his gaze, and in her eyes, he saw nothing but lust and affection.

How did I get to be so damn lucky?

“You’re amazing.” There was simply nothing else he could say as he held her. “Thank you for giving me a chance.”

“Well.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “You didn’t give me much of a choice, sir, but… I don’t have any regrets.”

“Not even running?” It was wrong to mock her, but he couldn’t resist the opportunity. “I would have thought your pretty little backside would have preferred you hadn’t constantly tried to escape.”

“I didn’t try to escape, sir,” she corrected, ignoring his quip. “I did escape. You just kept dragging me back.”

“Thank goodness I did.” He kissed her forehead. “I hate the idea of you out in that forest alone.”

“Yeah.” Her hand rose to hold his arm. “Maybe not my smartest move. Especially with my father and his men traipsing around the trees.”

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