Page 97 of The Merciless King

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

GIANNA

When I realize where Braxton is taking us, my mouth falls open. I stare at him as he parks the car and try to find the words.

The Hartsdale Duck Pond.

I don’t know if I can do this.

Instead of asking what I think, he climbs out and circles the car. Of course he doesn’t. He’s Braxton Rossi.

This man takes and takes and takes.

And I let him. Because being with him is one of the happiest things I’ve ever done in my life.

I feel safe.

I feel desired.

I feel wanted.

The door opens, and he extends his hand. I take it and climb out as he closes the door behind me.

Then he kisses me again.

Damn I could kiss this man forever and not miss oxygen.

“I know you’ll hate me for this one day, but I’m not sorry, Gianna. I want you to have a place you can come to and remember how we were for one night.”

Before I can react, he takes my hand and leads me down the path, through the green leafed trees toward the pond.

“I’m not going to forget you,” I say, as if it needs to be said. Because maybe he doesn’t realize how I feel and if he did, he might not leave.

I shake my head, knowing it makes no difference.

My fate is already decided.

What if my father’s mind could be changed? What if he could see value in Braxton if their business dealings go well?

Talk about grasping at straws.

As the pond comes into view, I smile. Tonight, I’m the woman being led, hand in hand, by a man she is in love with at Hartsdale Duck Pond. It might be late and there might not be any witnesses, but I still get to experience it.

This amazing man has made a little girl's dream come true.

For one night.

We walk to the edge and stare out across the dark water.

Braxton pulls me into his arms, and I melt into the hardness of his muscular body and close my eyes.

Safe.

That’s what I feel.

Cherished.

“Gianna,” he rasps softly as my eyes lift to his, opening. “I will never get enough of you.”

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