Page 73 of Wanted

“You came home so early, I didn’t even have time to make dinner,” I mumble, changing the subject to a safer one.

“You have other things to do, it’s not your duty to cook for us every day,” he answers, kissing my neck, my jawline, my cheeks, even licking my lips, making me forget my protests. “How about we order something or go out to dinner?”

The heat floods my chest making my heart beat faster, this time it’s not because of sexual desire, it’s something deeper. Much more powerful.

And yet…

“The idea of going out doesn’t sound appealing,” I confess as he pulls out of my body and helps me up before even settling into his pants. “I missed you today.”

Then he hugs me and kisses me, I’ve been waiting for this all day since he left early this morning. His dominance over my body keeps me with my feet on solid ground, but his love makes my soul fly, fly high.

And I love it.

Lionel sighs before answering. “I missed you, too, Stella. It feels so good to be like this.”

It’s true, there is no place where I would rather be than in his arms.

“I’ll wear something skimpy to our date,” I tell him, thinking of snuggling with him on the old sofa on the second floor, watching an old movie of his that we both like.

“I don’t think so, beautiful,” he argues. “For our date, I want you naked.”

* * *

“I spoke to Catherine Cole today,” I inform him after our second round of toe-curling, house shaking sex. “I’m going shopping with her, so I have to ask you something.”

We are laying together on the thick carpet in front of the sofa. My body stretched out on his, our skin is warm and sweaty, his hands caressing my back and my hair, while I have my cheek pressed to his neck, his heartbeat is like my own personal lullaby.

“Just tell me how much you need…” he says like it’s nothing. “Tomorrow I’m going to the bank to ask for another credit card, so you can spend whatever you want without having to ask me.”

That makes me laugh, but it’s not what I’m looking for. I put my hands on his chest while resting my chin on them to look him in the eye.

“I have my own money, thank you very much,” I say with determination and I can see annoyance cross his eyes, but the words never come out of his mouth. I know what he’s doing, he’s respecting my space and the lines I’ve drawn, although it’s hard for him. “What I need is for you to arrange for security. I know you are worried about leaving me here alone all day, so I imagine it will be the same for going out.”

His fingers frame my face, before pulling me in to give me a soft kiss on the lips.

“Jackson has the best men looking after his wife, I’ll talk to him tomorrow anyway. When are you planning to go out?”

“I don’t know,” I reply because that’s the truth. I tell him about our call, without revealing any details. I want him to be surprised when he sees me.

“Don’t forget to buy something for the party,” he tells me. “And maybe a couple more cocktail dresses for some upcoming events on my calendar, you should at least let me pay for those.”

The list goes on and on.

“We’ll see,” I reply. Nothing is impossible.

“Don’t forget, Hvezda.” His words are soft, but his tone sounds like a warning. “In the end I always get what I want.”

He kisses me again, in less than ten minutes he has me gasping for air. I have no doubt, this man is used to getting his way. And my body is his new playground.

I’m a very lucky girl.

Chapter Twenty-Three

“At what time is Catherine picking you up?” Lionel asks me as he slides the razor across his skin. We are both standing in front of the counter in the bathroom. While I braid my hair, he shaves. And it’s a sight worthy of admiration, more so knowing that he’s using the new shaving cream I made for him.

Nothing is sexier in my eyes. It isn’t just the towel that hangs from his slender hips, nor his muscular arms, or his curly hair that’s still damp, and combed back.

No, I couldn’t choose one thing, it’s all him.