Page 27 of Taking The Virgin

He’ll get it, all right, but I’ll be keeping an emotional wall up between him and me the entire time. And being the freshly initiated addict that I am, I’m sure I’ll enjoy every bit of his attentions, even as I’m despisinghim.

As the hours go by, I use the computer to gather information about contractors who can repair the damage to my family’s house as well as whom I should contact at the bank about acquiring loans, now that I’m getting some cash to myname.

When Owen comes home from work much earlier than he did the other night, I’ve just finished eating a dinner of seared scallops, parmesan risotto, and asparagus. Now I’m outside on the tiled patio, sitting at a stainless steel-and-glass table, surrounded by lamp heaters, foliage, and the falling dusk. Custom ironwork lights give me enough illumination so that I can see the computer screen clearly.

I feel Owen’s presence before he actually comes outside—all I have to do is look up to see him behind the French doors. His hands are folded behind his back as he watches me through the glass panes.

My heart jumps, but I force myself to coolly look away as if I haven’t seen him at all. Even so, the sight of him in his expensive suit and his dark-eyed, passionate gaze stays burned in my mind. I shiver as I hear the doors opening then shutting.

He saunters over to me, and my blood jerks through my veins. Still, I ignore him. Then I feel his fingertips brush over my arm, which is exposed by the Oscar de la Renta sleeveless silk-blend dress I’ve chosen to wear on this mild night. The fabric is gray, just like mymood.

“Did you stay busy?” heasks.

“Very.”

He waits, and I almost think he’s expecting me to tell himmore.

I keep navigating around the computer screen with the touchpad, not looking at him. “I would elaborate, but I know how much that would offendyou.”

“It’s been a long day. Don’t test me with an attitude.”

I grit my jaw, and he must get turned on by my sass because his voice lowers to that irresistible velvet tone that never fails to swayme.

“Red,” he says, whisking a finger under mychin.

My skin tingles as he tilts my face up to him then bends down to draw me into one of his hot kisses. But I turn my face away before he can capture my lips withhis.

He doesn’t move as I lean away from him and cross my arms over my chest. It doesn’t quite push down the hurt and anger that I still feel, but it’s better than the alternative—letting myself loose to show him just how bitterly disappointed I am that he can’t act like a human being.

“Do you not remember last night on the jet?” Iask.

“Ido.”

“Do you not know what that contract said when I read it this morning?”

“I certainly remember, and I know you still signed it easily enough.”

I exhale, then shake myhead.

He begins to stalk away, then turns back around to me. “Your bad behavior isn’t in the spirit of the deal wemade.”

“’Spirit of the deal.’ Would that include having you fuck me against mywill?”

“Jesus,” he whispers. “Of course I’d never dothat.”

I never thought I’d see Owen Gregory look staggered, but there he is, utterly taken aback.

The sound of the trees rustling around us takes the place of any more words we might say. I’ve gone too far, and I don’t feel good about it. I was angry. I felt marginalized, insulted, wounded.

I face him in the chair, cocking my head when I see how confused he is. This towering man who lives behind such neat, tidy, defensive walls. More than anything, I hate to see him like this, and my heart thuds with a sad, emptybeat.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “It’s just that I’m not one of those robots your company makes to wash away the harmful bacteria you’re always fighting against. I’ve got human emotions, not artificial intelligence, and I can’t constantly have sex on command—especially not after the way you treatedme.”

He frowns. “I treat you verywell.”

A laugh cuts out of me, and he seems even more puzzled. He really doesn’t understand, doeshe?

I have no idea how to communicate with him. He seems to be half robot himself, half beast. Is there any humanity in there? What even happened to him to make him thisway?

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