Page 122 of Time Stops With You

“If you don’t want our first time to be against this desk, say it now,” I command in a low, thrumming voice.

Nardi inhales shakily. “I… hate…”

The last word shatters as I slam back against her mouth. This time, Nardi wraps her hands around the back of my neck. She meets me slant for slant, possessing me fully. We collide like a dangerous mix of explosions. Fireworks. A Molotov cocktail.

Her angry nips send a bolt of pleasure straight through me.

It’s not enough.

More.More.

A surge of possessiveness roars through my chest. It prickles under my skin, squeezes my heart so tight that I’m sure it’ll burst into rubble and stone.

I dig my fingers into her side, keeping her steady, keeping her against me, fastening her in place so she can’t move even as I take her mouth the way I’ll soon take her body.

“Don’t you ever forget.” I speak through gritted teeth. “Don’t you ever forget who your hatred belongs to.”

My hands roam up her back, feeling the smooth, dark skin. The indent of her spine. The place where her spine meets the back of her neck.

Holy…

She feels so good.

Nardi whimpers. Her wrist. I’m holding her too tight and her wrist brace is caught between us. In answer to her cry, I back her up without disconnecting our lips and lean her against the desk. With her so far below me, I switch the angle of the kiss. Softer. Deeper. My tongue glides across her bottom lip in a sweeping motion.

She moans.

Everything inside me contracts at the sound.

There’s a knock on the door.

Who would dare to interrupt us?

My receptionist’s voice seeps through the door. “Mr. Cullen, Mr. Sullivan is here.”

Nardi disconnects her lips from mine, her attention on the door.

I grip her chin, forcing her attention back to me. Leaning over, I suckle on her bottom lip. It’s not a kiss so much as it is a daring, impulsive outlet for my obsession. I don’t care who’s here. I’m not finished with her yet.

Nardi starts pushing me away, but I don’t release her.

She hates me.

Thinks I’m a monster.

So I’ll give her a beast.

I feel a sharp, sudden pain as Nardi bites hard on my lip. I pull away in surprise, and it’s just enough that she wiggles out from under me. Her sneakers thump on the ground as Nardi flees all the way across the room.

Her hair is frizzy and a few strands stick up in all directions. Her shirt is wrinkled and her lipstick is smeared.

Silence rings heavily between us.

“Mr. Cullen?” My receptionist knocks on the door again.

I grit my teeth. “Take him to the conference room. I’ll be right there.”

The receptionist’s heels click away.

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