Page 47 of Grave Games

“If I thought that what we’ve got isn’t real, I wouldn’t be standing here before you, tying myself in knots trying to figure out how to prove to you that I’m a man you can believe in. That I’myourman, and that’s never going to change.”

My thoughts tangled in a ball of confusion, the hurt of knowing how he’d played me going to war with his words. Even now he could be playing another game with me, and I was so lost in his world I didn’t even know what the rules were. But just as much, I wanted to believe everything he said was real. If only I could believe in him.

If only.

“This doesn’t change anything,” I murmured, hating that weak part of me that melted whenever he was near. My body warmed against his, and the desire his hands kindled in my traitorous body was impossible to resist. In a kind of helpless fury I pressed a hand against his heart as he pulled me in, trying to hold him off. But the thunderous hammering of his heart against my palm told the story of the desperation and need I could see roiling in his eyes, and it made me weak in the knees. “I may want you, but I don’t trust you. After today, I never will.”

“Never’sa long time, and I know all about your trust issues. I’m not worried. You know why?”

“I don’t want to know.” Yes, I did.

“Because when it comes to you, I’m an infinitely patient man.I’d wait for you until the stars burned out of the sky.”

God help me. “I think you’re underestimating just how pissed off I am.”

“I’m also a smart man, and a smart man never underestimates anything when it comes to his woman. And that’s what you are, Shiloh. You told me you were mine when you said you wouldn’t let me go, and I’m holding you to that. Come hell or high water, you and I are together for the long haul.”

I knew he could feel the heat rolling off my body, but I still kept my gaze steady on his. “Even if I don’t want anything to do with you?”

“Yes, you do.” He bent to skim his lips over mine. Tempting. Seducing. “You love me.”

“I love a man who doesn’t exist.”

“That man exists solely for you, and that’s the truth of it. The man I am when I’m with you… that’s the most real version of me. No one else in this world is allowed to see him. Just you.I trust you with the truest me.”With that, his mouth claimed mine.

Damn it, damn it, damn it.

Like an idiot, I tilted my head back to invite a deeper kiss, while the hand pushing against his chest weakened. There was no way this man could be trusted. I could have been seriously injured when he’d had that clown Ashtray scare me straight into his arms, and according to him it hadn’t even been necessary to his mission. He’d done it for the sole purpose of getting closer to me, or technically, gettingmecloser tohim. He’d put everything at risk, just to have a chance with me. That was just so…

Beautiful.

Manipulative, of course. Dangerous and stupid and rash and unforgivable.

And beautiful.

“This doesn’t mean you’re forgiven,” I said when his mouth left mine, and I realized the resisting hand I’d held at his chest had wound its way up to cup his nape. “I’m still furious with you.”

“Good. That’ll add spice to the make-up sex.”

I wanted to tell him that we weren’t making up, but his mouth was on mine again, and it was so hot it burned away all coherent thought. I’d be mad at him later, I rationalized, allowing myself to let go of everything but the delight I found in his arms. Life was too short to turn my back on feeling this delicious.

If that made me weak, then so be it.

With my mouth still a captive of his, Romeo walked me back a couple paces until the lower part of my butt hit the edge of the desk I’d been working at all morning long. His hands moved to grip my hips, and in one smooth move lifted me up and landed me squarely on the desk.

“Romeo.” When he moved between my knees with obvious intent, I finally managed to tear my mouth from his. “Just wait, okay? This is an office. We can’t—”

“I asked for an hour of privacy. I’ll get an hour of privacy.” He moved to pull my shoes off, then worked the fastenings of my jeans. “But truth be told, I wouldn’t care if we were in the middle of Millennium Park with thousands of tourists milling around. When we’re together, being inside you, becoming a part of you, is all I can think about. I’ve never felt more complete than when I’m inside you.”

Okay, even as upset as meeting Ashtray had made me, that was undeniably hot. So hot there was no way I could resist him now, so I found myself helping him peel off my jeans and panties before focusing on undoing his belt and jeans. As I did, he kissed me again, then dug into his wallet for a condom. I danced my tongue with his, reveling in his eager responsiveness, before I took the small packet from him and dived my hands into his boxer briefs.

“I love it when you get your hands on my cock.” His eyes closed and he groaned softly as I slid the protection in place. “Any way I can get your hands on me, I’m all for it. But I fucking hate having a barrier between us. When I’m inside you, I don’t want to have even a condom separating me from you. Either we use the rhythm method, or you get yourself on birth control.”

“I’ll make an appointment today to see someone about that.” My heart somersaulted at the passion in his voice, and while I knew I couldn’t trust him, I did trust that he just told me the truth. Whatever this man was, he loved being so close to me he needed to feel nothing between us. “I’m going to miss the fun of rolling the condom in place.”

“Baby, any time you feel like playing with my cock, feel free to reach over and go to town, yeah? I promise, you’re not going to hurt my feelings any.”

“Yay.” Because I really did enjoy the feel of his thick staff throbbing against my palm, I stroked him with one hand while arching back to give him access to the buttons of my shirt that he seemed intent on undoing. Getting naked in an office hadn’t been on my daily Bingo card, but now that it was happening, the naughty thrill of possibly getting caught had me so wet I was nearly panting.

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