Page 36 of Richard

“I want to eat.”

Hiding a smile, he slid out the chair and waited until she wasseated before going to take his seat. He served the meal in silence and reached for the bottle of wine. Twisting off the cap with ease, he poured the rich burgundy into two glasses and handed her one.

“How was your day?” His deep voice was pleasant, as if they were a normal couple having a meal at the end of a working day.

She stared at him mutinously as she cut into her lamb.

“That bad?”

Ignoring the teasing note in his voice, she continued to keep stubbornly silent.

“Collette, this is only going to work if we come to an understanding.”

“What understanding is that?” she asked with asperity.

“The understanding that I am not letting you go.” His mild tone belied the intense look on his face.

“This is ridiculous.”

“Which part?”

“All of it. You cannot mean to tell me that you want to have a relationship with me.”

“Why not?”

“You have so many women to choose from, and I am not interested in competing with anyone.”

“What makes you think you would be?”

Her stare said it all.

“You won’t be," he told her with quiet assurance.

“Why don’t I believe that?”

“Because I said it and I am a man of my word. Drink your wine.”

She only glared at him and continued eating.

Shaking his head, he reached for his own glass and took a sip, staring at her in that disconcerting way of his.

“Stop it.”

“Stop what?”

“Looking at me like that.”

“Like what?”

She almost stamped her foot in frustration. It did not help that she was finding the hairs falling over his forehead somewhat endearing.

“Like what?” he repeated when she remained silent.

“Like– Like I am your next meal!”

His smile was wolfish. “I think that’s a given.” His eyes slid down her exposed throat to linger on her breasts, straining against the fabric of her dress.

“Do you know how difficult it was for me to stand inside your office and not leap across the desk and haul you in my arms? I spent eight days dying to feel your naked flesh against mine,” his voice had lowered, his face taut with passion. “I wanted to devour you. My God, do you know what you are doing to me?”

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