Page 140 of Forbidden Heroes

She’s standing with her legs pressed together and her arms by her tiny body. I know if I were to lean in, whisper a few sweet words to my angel, and trail my tongue along the pillowy mounds of her breasts, I could get her to open for me.

“I can’t. I’m… I’m here to blackmail you.”

Jesus fucking Christ. My pulse did a jackhammer in my chest. I wanted the truth as she knew it, but I didn’t expect it dropped on me like a nuke. I had to appreciate her honesty.

Her big, beautiful green eyes hold my attention. I see her fear, the need to run for safety, yet she stands her ground and my respect for her triples.

When I notice a hint of tears rimming her soft eyes, I somehow manage to restrain myself from pulling her into my chest and wrapping my arms around her until she knows how safe she is with me. But just barely. I imagine the tightness of her pussy like a fist around my cock once I claim her and making the ugly outside world disappear. The thought of sinking into her and fucking her long and hard as we get to know each other’s desires clouds my judgment for a moment.

I clear my throat and step back to give each of us a moment to breathe.

Not yet, I tell myself.

She wraps a small hand around my arm. “Not yet. Please, hear me out.”

I turn to walk past her but she catches my arm. I slide my hand across hers where she has it resting on my big biceps. “You should leave before it’s too late, angel.” It physically hurts to turn my back on her and walk away. I can hear every fucking second that ticks by like I’m Father Time himself. But no matter how I feel, for some crazy reason something inside forces me to offer her a way out.

“My chauffeur will take you home and no one will be the wiser of what didn’t happen here this evening.”

My words hang in the air between us. The only sound is the fucking clock.

Tick tock.

Tick. Tock.

“I don’t want to go home. And I’m not going to do it. I can’t. I wanted to for all of half a second when I first heard my uncle's twisted plot to ruin you. I refuse to lie. But I can’t. I’m not like you or my uncle. I’m not coldhearted enough to play these corporate games you two like so much. Using people, playing a proverbial game of chess… ugh… don’t you guys ever get tired?”

The heart on her sleeve swelled and for a moment, her words drop in my mind like tiny droplets of dew, each heavier than the last. She had a point. I did get tired, but I knew from day one when I set out to bring my sorry ass out of poverty and into the dominant world of corporate life it would lead to daily fights to maintain my power. No different from when my father worked three jobs to put me through school. Just a better view from here and now my father didn’t have a damn thing to worry about.

Allison needed someone willing to fight just as hard for her. But, maybe I am wrong. Maybe the man she deserves isn’t me. Or shouldn’t be me. I don’t live in the black and white world she’s talking about.

I lean in and press a soft kiss to her jaw and shove down my filthy, dirty desires for her sake and move to walk away. “Leave before it’s too late, Allison. Do us both that favor.”

She steps closer and entwines her fingers around mine and tugs until I turn. I could have pulled free, forced her to leave, but I don’t. I can’t.

No, I do the opposite of what I know I should do and keep her soft, tiny hand in mine.

“He’s out for blood, Mr. Savage. I can’t let that happen. I won’t. He’s ruined enough lives.”

“And what do you plan on doing about it? Shake a finger at him and say, bad boy?” I taunt.

She parted her lips with what looked like the beginnings of a smile. “Not exactly. As pleasurable as your company is, Mr. Savage. I do have a plan as you can see and I didn’t exactly pussyfoot around it either. You will offer me a job with your company before I leave here.”

Her bravado makes my chest swell with pride. My angel was willing to tarnish her halo and step into the gray zone a little to set some wrongs right. Interesting.

My brows furrow and when I only hold those gorgeous eyes of hers, she huffs out her frustration and continues.

Her lip catches between her teeth again and she eliminates any space between us. “I admit, I thought you would be a little more enthused since it is your company on the line.”

“I have my plan, but I do want to hear yours.”

She went completely still next to me. “You knew about my uncle?”

“Since you’ve been direct with me, I’ll return the favor. Yes, my angel.” I say and tap the small cleft on her chin.

“You see, my associate, Mr. Larson, works for me. You’ve probably seen him in your home speaking with your uncle. He planted the idea of your uncle trying to blackmail me as I instructed. I originally wanted your uncle to offer you as payment for me turning a blind eye to his crimes within my company given he cease his activities, but he did one better it seems and walked you through my door himself as jail bait. The second I saw your beautiful green eyes and angel face from your file I did everything in my power to make sure you would be mine. And make no mistake, Allison. You are mine.”

Confusion runs across her face. Her shoulders slump slightly in what looks like defeat and disappointment. “Oh. Then I guess you don’t need me after all and I’ve wasted both our time.”

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