Page 82 of Brutal Savage

“But you will be.”

“I’m serious, Tynan. You need to get over yourself and your convoluted idea that we’re getting married. I will never accept your proposal.”

“I don’t remember asking for your permission.” I clasp the top of her thigh, and her tongue slips out to wet her lips.

“What the hell does that mean?” She fights her nerves and keeps her tone steady.

“It means this is gonna happen whether you want it to or not.” I massage her skin with my thumb, pushing the skirt up to her mid-thigh. “And just so you know, if I find out you’ve fucked anyone, they won’t survive the night.”

“You’re insane!” she scoffs.

“Certifiable.” My mouth forms a thin line.

She has no idea how serious I am.

“I’m so done talking to you for the rest of the day.”

I let out a low chuckle. “We’re not done talking yet, Ms. Hill. Now sit there and behave.”

Her nails dig into the leather.

“I don’t know why you’re fighting it. It’s obvious you wanna fuck me as much as I wanna fuck you.” My fingers slide up a little higher, right over her inner thigh. “We’d have fun. It doesn’t have to be unpleasant for either one of us.” From the corner of my eye, my gaze roves down her body. “I would very much enjoy waking up next to you every morning and devouring you for breakfast.”

A visible tremor rolls through her.

“I would take care of you, Elara. Your enemies would be my enemies. Your problems would be my problems. Anything you wanted or needed, I would make it happen.”

She sits up straighter, finally listening even while staring out the front of the car.

“You are who I need for Brody,” I explain further, rubbing my palm up and down her leg, feeling her skin prickle beneath my hand. “I don’t want to force you. I want you to say yes of your own free will.”

“That’s never gonna happen, Mr. Quinn. You’re a criminal. I’ll never marry you. So if you wanna kill me, go ahead.”

I hate that she called me by my last name. I like hearing her say my name.

“I have no plans to hurt you, Elara. I don’t hurt women. No matter how badly they get under my skin. And you, Ms. Hill, have dug so deep…” I squeeze her inner thigh. “I don’t ever want to get rid of you. And that’s a first.”

I don’t know where that confession came from or why I said it out loud, but it’s like when I’m near her, my heart does all the talking.

Her chest rises faster and faster, and I just want to hear her admit that she wants me. That she feels what I’m feeling when I’m with her. But she’s too stubborn for that. She’s made up her mind about me, and it’ll take a lot to destroy that notion.

Doesn’t matter either way.

Because I take what I want.

And it’s too bad for Ms. Hill, I’ve decided I want her.

CHAPTER 18

ELARA

I don’t see much of Tynan while I’m with Brody, running around with the dog and spending the time playing games.

I don’t know if I’m close to getting him to talk, though the fact that he has fun? That’s important to his healing. Hopefully one day when I’m gone, he’s talking again and he’s okay.

But I know I can’t stay here. Not after everything Tynan said.

He won’t let me go. I’ll have to take matters into my own hands. There’s no other choice.

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