Page 65 of The Boss

My mind was a dangerous muscle, working without my direction. I’d gone for years without remembering. A few days with Willow and the memories were intensifying in clarity and length. I jerked the bottle away from her, not gentle when I placed it on the counter. As I backed her against the edge of the kitchen island, her eyes slowly took on a slight haze.

This time, I couldn’t tell if it was out of fear or something else entirely.

I planted my hands on either side of her, pressing the full weight of my body against hers. “You don’t need to worry about me, little dove. I am perfectly capable of handling my own issues.”

“Apparently not.”

“It’s been a long and grueling week. Nothing more. Just leave it alone.”

“That’s true for both of us. How easily you seem to forget that. Such an asshole.” Her entire demeanor had changed and as soon as she shoved me aside, another demanding need to possess her took over. I grabbed her arm, tossing her back into the same position. I’d used too much force. I could tell by the pained look on her face.

This time, I cupped both sides of her face, crushing her body with mine. “You don’t walk away from me. You never walk away from me.”

“Maybe that’s what you want and deserve.”

“Remember what I told you. I will find you.” I’d captured her mouth several times before, but the sense of urgency was stronger. More pronounced. I wanted her as if my life’s blood depended on tasting her.

She mewed into the kiss, struggling in my hold out of contempt and the need to keep a distance. I wasn’t in the mood to allow her to go anywhere. My cravings were more intense, the insanity of needing her something that could no longer be denied.

As the kiss became a furious standoff between us, she yanked at my hair, doing her best to draw blood on my back with her nails. I kept her pinned against the hard surface, savoring her sweet essence. She was food for my soul, fulfilling the darkest cravings anyone could have.

But I still wanted more.

I kept one hand on her face while I rubbed the other down her arm. At first, she relaxed, melting into me as she’d done two days before. But soon after, her body tensed all over again. I backed away, breaking the connection, even turning away.

This time as she moved around me, I didn’t stop her. The taste of her lingered like the scent of her perfume on my skin. I was thrown by the effect she had on me.

“Gin and tonic?” she asked quite casually, acting as if I hadn’t come close to taking her right here on the kitchen island.

“Yeah. There should be some limes. I’m certain Maria picked up a few like I asked.”

“Asked or demanded? You do seem to get everything you want. You know. Hired help and all.”

“Meaning what?”

“Meaning I’m not certain you do anything yourself. You have people to do that,” she spat out.

Why was she picking a fight? “Yes, I do and they’re paid very well, but I’m perfectly capable of handling whatever is necessary in my life.”

“Grocery shopping? Laundry? How about changing oil in one of your fabulous cars? Or ironing your clothes. I’d like to see you do that.” She laughed and the sound was so bitter I was torn about how to react. “Maybe my favorite would be to see you vacuum. That would be loads of fun.”

“Push and pull, Willow. Maybe we could learn not to do that.”

She snickered and located another glass, dumping ice into both. “Maybe. But you’ll need to accept I’m not your enemy.” Her statement was spiteful.

“And I’m not yours.”

I took a step toward her.

She stepped back, fury her main emotion.

I took another step and stopped. Heat poured off every inch of her body and for a few seconds, the awakening of my senses caught me off guard. I’d experienced every emotion over the last few days and it was slowly crushing what was left of my soul.

She was defying me on purpose, pushing me to see what I would do.

Taking the bait right now wasn’t in my best interest. It didn’t matter the cravings or the dark thoughts swirling around in my head.

What I didn’t need was an emotional attachment to continue derailing the man I’d finally been able to turn into. I turned around, shaking my head. “I’ll be outside.”

---