Page 66 of One Sweet Lie

“You’re reading this situation completely wrong.”

“It’s not right.” I said, hating that my heart was still beating so hard in my chest. “I refuse to go back if certain things don’t change.”

“Okay.” He stepped closer. “Things like what?”

“Well, for one, I would like to take the kids outside of Manhattan at least three times a week.”

“I’ll need advance notice on the places you go, but I’ll tell security to plan for that.”

“I would also like to have free rein on the weekly food menus,” I said. “They all have different preferences, and I don’t like wasting food.”

“Okay.” He closed the gap between us. “What else?”

“Respect,” I said. “There’s a reason why you hired someone to care for your kids and I don’t deserve to be treated like a doormat just because I’m not handling million-dollar deals all day like you.” I looked him right in his eyes. “I’d like to believe that what I’m doing is just as valuable.”

“It is.”

“You need to know that people are not disposable, Mr. Dawson.”

“I’m well aware of that.” He nodded. “For what it’s worth, I’ve never seen you as a doormat, but I also didn’t expect you to last this long.”

“That’s…not an excuse. What the hell does that have to do with anything?”

He looked as if he wanted to explain, but he held back.

“Can you come back to work tonight, please?” he asked.

“As long as you tell me what the other lingering issue you have with me is.” I looked at him. “What’s the problem?”

“I believe that’s quite obvious.”

“If it was, I wouldn’t be asking.”

“Do I need toshow you?”

“I’m waiting.”

He pressed his lips against mine and pushed me against the wall.

Caging me between his arms, he assaulted my lips with a kiss so deep and primal my toes curled.

“Ahhhh…” I moaned as he pinned me against the wall with his hips.

“Thisis the fucking problem,” he whispered against my lips. “It’s been a problem since day one.”

His mouth controlled mine, and he kissed me until I lost my breath.

All the pent-up tension and unresolved emotions dissolved as his tongue tamed mine.

He stared into my eyes, silently commanding me to let him lead.

Wanting to controlsomething, I tore open my top and let it fall to the floor.

Pierce admired the view and groaned.

Unclasping the front of my bra, he palmed my breasts before sucking my right nipple into his mouth.

I shut my eyes as he sucked it until it was stiff. Then he moved his mouth to the other, and I grabbed a fistful of his hair.

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