Page 74 of Dangerous Pursuit

“A lot.”

“What’s a lot?”

“I’m down to $180,000.”

“You’re paying them off tomorrow.”

“What? No, absolutely not. I get that you want to help, but there’s no way you’re doing that. No.” She’s shaking her head, as adamant as I’ve ever seen her, but she won’t win this argument. I’m half tempted to turn this car around right now and say fuck it, but I don’t want to put her or her mom in jeopardy before they have the money in hand.

“Mia, our company brings that amount in every week. I’m not taking no for an answer. Your safety is more important to me than your pride.”

“You have no right to demand that. Being in a relationship doesn’t mean you get to make decisions for me.”

“Dammit, Mia, that’s not what I’m doing. I care about you. I love you, for Christ’s sake. If you’re in danger, I’m in danger along with you. Everything that happens to you happens to me now, sweetheart. If you get hurt, I hurt. If you feel threatened, then I’ve been threatened, and if you have a burden to bear, I’m right there with you, carrying the other half. That’s what it means to love someone.” I bring her hand to my mouth and hold my lips against it, needing any part of her I can reach.

“We can talk logistics later,” I continue. “Whatever is holding you back from letting me do this, forget it right now. We’ll figure out the rest after you’re safe and out from under these assholes. If you want to keep playing poker and pay me back, then do it. If you don’t want to play anymore but still pay me back, you can do that too. I’m not taking away your independence—I’m trying to get it back.” The tear running down her cheek pierces my heart, and I pull over.

I reach over and undo her buckle once the car is in Park. “Come here, sweetheart.” I urge her into my arms and cradle her on my lap sideways, with her back to my door and legs hanging over the center console. She nuzzles into my neck as I hold her tight.

“Will you please let me take care of you?” I plead with her.

“I just… It’s too much. And it would take too long to pay you back. And what happens if we broke up—”

“You’re already planning for our breakup?” I ask, chuckling. “That’s not giving me much confidence here, sweetheart.”

She swats my chest. “I don’t mean it that way, but you don’t know what the future looks like. There’s already a huge disparity between us. You’re way older, you have more money, you’re further in life, and one day, you might wake up and realize I’m not good enough for you.”

“Mia, if anything,you’retoo good forme. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but nothing about you is less than. You’re it for me. I don’t want to scare you off with that statement, but it’s true. If society didn’t dictate what’s normal and what you should or shouldn’t do, I’d make you officially mine right now.”

“You can’t say things like that.”

“Why, because it’s too soon? Fuck that. Look, I’m not asking for marriage, and I’m not expecting you to feel the same, but I want you to know that’s how serious I am. And if I do this, I don’t care if you ever pay me back. I just want to know you’re safe. Godforbid we break up, but if that happens and it makes you feel better, we can write up a contract. Whatever it takes to have you accept my help.”

She sighs. “Okay, fine, but I do want it in writing that I owe you with conditions on paying it back.”

Thank fuck.

“Damn, you’re a stubborn woman. I do like the sound of these conditions for payback, though. Can I negotiate a few of them?” I say seductively to lighten the mood and bring a smile to her face, and it works like a charm.

“You’re awful. And there’s nothing you could put in there that I wouldn’t do anyway.”

“Oh, I know, but you being forced to do things is fucking hot.” And I’m not kidding, given the state of my growing erection.

“Oh my God, Jackson, seriously, you cannot turn me on right now. We need to get to the game.” She sits up, ready to scoot back over to her seat.

“All right, but one kiss before you go.”

While she’s busy with my mouth, I sneak my hand up her skirt, unable to resist. Making quick action of moving her panties aside, my fingers slide into her already wet pussy, while my thumb teases her clit. I’m dying to pull an orgasm out of her before we go since pleasing her has quickly become an addiction.

She moans into my mouth, bucking and rubbing her ass on my dick. Fuck, I might come from that alone.

“Give me one orgasm, Mia. Let me feel it.” I curl my fingers deep inside, moving back and forth against her walls, knowing it’ll send her over. Immediately, I feel her tightening.

“Yes, more.” She bucks harder, desperate for release.

I push deeper, my words coming out in time to each thrust of my hand. “This right here, Mia? This is what I want… every day… for the rest of my life. For you to be mine. To fuck, take careof, and pleasure… whenever, however, and wherever the fuck I want. Come on, give it to me. Now, Mia.”

She wails into my neck, riding out her release. The minute she stops pulsing, I bring my fingers up, sucking them clean before plunging my tongue into her mouth.

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