Page 50 of Fiercely Protective

I pulled Bri closer to my side. “Come on, love. I have other plans for tonight that don’t involve being surrounded by a hundred pretentious people.”

“I don’t understand. The only reason you came tonight was to meet with the old man at the bar. And now after doing so, you just want to leave?”

I stopped and she bumped into me. “Are you saying you want to stay?”

She shook her head. “No, I just don’t understand. You bought me this dress, draped me in diamonds that cost more than what I could make working in three years, for what? So, I could stand with Blaze?”

“Believe it or not, my sweet angel, I enjoy buying things for you. I love seeing the diamonds that I bought for you wrapped around your neck. Being spoiled is something you will have to get used to. And I didn’t leave you behind at the penthouse because I wanted others to see you and know that you are mine. Tomorrow morning your picture and the news that you are now my wife will be in every newspaper in Chicago. If that doesn’t deter the man searching for you, he is a bigger idiot than I first imagined. And while I could tell you that I brought you with me because I didn’t wish for you to be alone all evening at the penthouse, or I simply wanted us to spend time getting to know each other better, it would be a lie, my intentions were purely lecherous.”

I pulled her a little closer and winked suggestively. Her cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink, and I had an intense desire to see if that blush would spread to other parts of her body. “So, with that being said, I will give you a choice. We can either leave right now, or I can find the nearest closet, bathroom, empty office, whatever, pull you into it, and fuck you until you are screaming my name so loud that everyone will hear. But before you decide, know that I am quite serious, and I don’t give a shit what people think.”

Her eyes widened. “You say the most wicked things without regard for anyone that might hear them.” She looked around at the people surrounding us.

“I know, it is one of my more endearing qualities. Are you ready to go now?”

The nod of her head was barely noticeable. We resumed our way through the path of people and I ignored anyone who tried to stop me.

When we reached the car, my driver jumped out and quickly opened the door. I helped her inside then walked to the other side of the car to get in beside her.

My hands clenched into fists, and I willed myself not to touch her again until we were back at the penthouse. But having her so close, knowing that I could easily have her on her back again was a temptation difficult to resist.

The car was silent and the tension between us was thick. After driving for a few minutes, she turned to me. “Has anyone ever told you that your behavior is wildly erratic, not to mention inappropriate? You are teasing me one minute, angry the next. You behave as if you are going to rip my clothes off in the middleof the gala and now you sit on the opposite side of the car as if you don’t want to touch me. It’s like you are made up of both fire and ice.” She sighed and turned back toward the window. “It’s as confusing as it is irritating.”

I remained silent but couldn’t keep the slight grin from my face.

When the car came to a stop, I opened the door and jumped out before the driver could come around. Bri was already getting out; I didn’t waste a second. I scooped her up into my arms and carried her through the doors inside and moved quickly to the elevator. Once the elevator doors closed behind us, I sat her back on her feet and removed my bowtie. When my fingers went to the buttons of my shirt, she had backed away, obvious trepidation on her face.

The elevator doors opened, and I took her hand and pulled her down the hallway into the bedroom. “Stay right here and don’t move. I have another surprise for you.”

I walked to my closet and came back with a red silk blindfold. When she saw what I was holding in my hand, she took a step back.

“What are you going to do with that?”

“Be still and you will see.”

I stepped forward and slowly slid the silk over her eyes and tied a knot securing it. “They say that when someone loses their sight, their other senses are heightened. I think we should test the theory. Will you be hypersensitive to my touch when you are blindfolded and can’t see what my hands are doing?”

Bri

Rogue had spent so much time shocking me with the things he said he wanted to do to me, that when he made no move to touch me in the car or even speak, I found myself getting pissed off.What the hell was wrong with me?I should not want this man to touch me. I shouldn’t have the feelings I felt. And there was no way I should feel a hot burning lust whenever he looked in my direction. A man who had taken me against my will, blackmailed me into sharing his bed, and the worst part…made me like it.

But when he pulled me from the car and swept me into his arms to carry me into the building, he ignited the fire I had been so quick to extinguish. The look in his eyes was both thrilling and frightening. When the silk moved over my eyes, sending me into darkness, I shivered with anticipation. The man may be dangerous, but my body burned for him, and while he may frighten me and make me furious, there was no denying the attraction I felt.

An involuntary shiver passed up my spine as his fingers slowly unzipped the back of my dress, letting it pool on the floor at my feet, the air felt cooler against my skin, and I wondered about his suggestion of my senses being heightened.

The warmth of his breath on my skin as he leaned over my shoulder made me shiver. I balled my hands into fists as his lips pressed against my bare skin.

“After tonight, there will be no more doubts in your pretty little head. Tonight, you will know exactly where you belong, Angel.”

My breathing increased as his hands roamed over my breasts, his fingers tracing the lace edge of my bra before passing over my stomach.

His touch was soft and gentle, his scent surrounded me. I reached out my hand hoping to connect with his flesh. I wanted to touch him.

“Not yet, sweetheart.”

I dropped my hand back to my side. I could sense his nearness, but not his touch.

“You are so incredibly beautiful. A rarity, a treasure to be guarded. My treasure.”

---