Page 47 of Lethal Infatuation

"Thank you for the food," I said, munching on a chicken sandwich while I sat in one of Nicolas' oversized tees. The garment was hopelessly too big for me and I practically swam in the material.

"You don't have to thank me." It was definitely strange to seethis side of him. If I were being honest, I didn't think I'd ever see him again after Cabo. "Just make sure you eat everything."

"Are you always so demanding?" I asked softly.

"I'm not demanding."

"Okay, so then what would you call it? Do you always have to be in control?" Nicolas popped a fry in his mouth, chewing slowly.

"Control?" he repeated. "Yes, you could say that. I like having things done my way. I'm sure you'll come to accept that in the near future."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Seems like that's not open for discussion."

"I'm always open to these kind of discussions, Gabriella, and I'm very open minded." His response made me roll my eyes.

"You're not fooling anyone with that sarcastic response."

"Who says I'm being sarcastic? I'm a truthful, honest man." He came closer to me and I immediately placed my sandwich back on my plate.

"Are you?"

When he stood directly in front of me, he looked down, pushing a few strands of hair behind my ear. "Would you be here with me right now if I wasn't?"

"I've been a bad judge of character in the past," I teased, smiling at him. He reciprocated the action and shook his head.

"You're too playful for your own good," he murmured, bending down to place a soft kiss on my lips. "I'm going to corrupt you. You're so sweet, so innocent."

"If that's the case, then why did you even approach me in the first place?"

"Maybe that's what I wanted," he spoke against my lips. "To taint you. Chip away at that innocence until you're nothing but a broken version of yourself that only I can fix."

My jaw dropped and I swallowed hard, unable to form a coherent sentence. "What's the matter, Gabriella?" he asked in a condescending tone. "Are you at a loss for words?"

"You always say things that make me forget my train of thought."

"In other words, I leave you speechless then?" He laughed.

"You're annoying."

"If I'm as annoying as you state, then why does your pussy weep for me?"

I closed my eyes, trying to think of something to say, but my words failed me. "Has anyone ever told you how infuriating you are?"

"Yeah, but I don't give a fuck about anybody's opinion. I value yours, though." He smiled. "However, you and I both know I'm not infuriating."

"Maybe you're just in denial," I stated.

"Or maybe you're just being a little brat."

"You don't like it when I'm a little brat, Nico?"

"No," he said sternly. "Do you know what I do to little brats like you?"

"I'm curious," I nodded, "so tell me."

He wrapped his large hand around my throat, holding the column of my neck loosely. Despite him not applying any pressure, there was a dangerous glint in his eye. He caressed my skin with his thumb. "I'd make you run. I'd watch you run. You'd probably try so hard to escape me, but you and I both know you wouldn't make it far," he whispered.

"And then what?" I asked, breathless.