Page 36 of Lethal Legacy

The dark eyes gleam. “Pajamas play no part whatsoever in any of my plans, I assure you.”

I asked for that one.

“There is some personal time built into your schedule.” His tone is crisp and businesslike once more. “Rest assured I will respect it.”

I tense slightly. “Can I trust thatpersonal timemeans I won’t be followed?”

He scowls. “I have better things to do with my time than trail every one of my employees, Lucia.”

Well, that’s something, I guess.

If he means it, of course. I try not to think of how much I’m going to need to organize in whatever sliver ofpersonal timehe allows. It’s a moment before I realize Roman is watching me closely.

And he doesn’t look happy.

His hand has stilled on the table, his jaw hardening as his eyes bore into mine. “If you’re contemplating any illicit liaisons, Miss Lopez, I advise you to reconsider.”

I’m not contemplating anything of the kind, obviously. But that doesn’t stop his death stare from sending a shiver down my spine.

“For the sake of absolute clarity,” he snarls, “let me reiterate the exclusivity aspect of the contract. You’re mine now, Lucia. To touch. To fuck. To take whichever way I choose. Mine, and nobody else’s. Do I make myself clear?”

I’m not laughing now.

In fact, I can barely breathe.

I should be appalled by him claiming me as his possession. Instead, it’s a measure of how far over the line I really am that my body is so hot and ready I’m almost squirming in my seat.

“Perfectly, Mr. Stevanovsky.” My mouth is dry. “And just as we agreed, that exclusivity goes both ways?”

His eyes flatten with boredom.

“I don’t make a habit of repeating myself, Miss Lopez.” His tone is clipped and dismissive. He glances at his phone. “We should eat. As you mentioned, you have a lot to organize before tomorrow morning.” He nods at the window, and the maître d’ appears with a selection of exquisitely arranged tasting plates, which, unfortunately, I barely appreciate.

I can only think of what will come after this meal.

Will he fuck me right here? Take me back to that sinfully decadent penthouse? On the leather sofa? Or maybe up against the windows, so the whole city can watch him take me from behind...

I push the food around on my plate, my body heavy with anticipation.

“Let me make one thing very clear.” Roman’s harsh tone snaps me right out of the fantasies that have me wet and wanting and quite abruptly back to the present. “Please do not misinterpret my agreeing to the exclusivity clause as anything other than good business. Don’t for an instant imagine this contract will lead to anything other than financial and sexual satisfaction. Our agreement lasts until the end of the school year. Five months. There won’t be any extensions.”

I’m mortified. My eyes have always given me away, and if they’re a window into what the rest of me feels right now, Roman probably thinks he’s contracted some dewy eyed desperado. I gather myself with an effort.

“Ah, you say that now.” I return to snark setting with no small effort. “But they tell me coffee withdrawal is a bitch. I predict it will be you begging for the extension, not me.”

He clasps my wrist, his grip loose but undeniably strong, dark eyes boring into mine. “The only person begging will be you, Miss Lopez. Begging me not to stop. Or to do it again. Harder. Faster. Deeper.” His words send my body into a hot tailspin, his fingers searing straight through my skin. “Five months, Miss Lopez,” he growls. “No extensions. No withdrawals. I will take you, Lucia. I will have you.” His eyes reach into my soul, setting the flames inside me licking higher and higher. “And then,” he says, letting my wrist drop limply to the table, “I will let you go.”

I suck in a breath. I’ve never felt more unhinged in my life.

“Understood.” I’m astonished my voice sounds so even.

“Good.” He sits back and nods at the food. “Then perhaps now we can eat.”

I have no idea how I get through the meal. The food is divine, of course. The setting is stunning.

I barely notice any of it.

I do, however, make certain to keep my attention on what Roman is saying, rather than what will come next. I might have just signed my body away to him, but I’m going to try to keep at least some of my mind to myself.

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