Page 22 of His Ruthless Obsession

His hand twines in my hair, wrenching my head back. "No?" That grin turns vicious. "Too bad because it's mine."

And I can see that because fear does start to pound through my body. Fear of what he'll do to me. Fear of not being able to come after he's worked my body up. Fear of giving into this.

And all that fear and tension builds until I am aching for him again,

Too bad, he lets me go, dragging his hand back down to my jaw so he can talk to me. I have a feeling he was about to snap, too.

"Your apartment isn't secure enough, though." Nerio's fingers trail down my neck, making my skin tingle. "I have a better option."

"I like my place." I try to step back, needing space to think clearly. "The rooftop garden-"

"Can be replaced." He pulls me tighter against him, and I don't protest. I keep thinking about when he said we weren't done and wonder if he'll make good on that promise. "I own a penthouse downtown. Top floor. Private elevator access. Security system that would make the Pentagon jealous."

"You want me to move in with you?" The words come out sharp. The last time I lived with a guy… Well, it didn't go so well.

"Not with me. It's a separate property." He brushes his fingers along my skin, distracting my thoughts. It's like he knows what he's doing. "Three bedrooms. Floor-to-ceiling windows. And yes, space for your precious plants."

I tilt my head back, needing to think and I can't do that with the heat in his eyes as he stares down at me. "I don't need-"

"They are following you."

I freeze at that reminder. "I know."

"They know where you live. Where you go. You aren't safe, and I want to keep you away from anyone that can hurt you." He leans in, his lips coming to my ear like he knows it's my weakness. "Let me do this."

I chew on my bottom lip, trying to think of any reason I shouldn't. He's offering me protection, a home. What's wrong with that? That I give him easy access to me? I'm about two seconds away from spreading out on his desk and begging him to take me so maybe it'll just be convenient.

And I wouldn't be locked up with him. If anything were to happen, which I don't think it will, I have an easy out.

"The penthouse has a private garage entrance." Nerio pushes. I'm honestly surprised he's trying to convince me and not just forcing me there. "No one sees you come or go. No paper trail connecting you to the property."

"And what's the catch?"

"The catch?" His eyes darken. "The catch is you stay alive."

"There's always strings with you."

"Fine. Here's your string - you let my security team drive you to and from work." He steps closer, towering over me. "You stop taking unnecessary risks."

I wrap my arms around myself. The Morrison has been my sanctuary, my fresh start. But he's right - the security is basic, the locks standard. Anyone determined enough...

"Show me the place first."

His lips curve. "Keys are in my car. We can go now."

"I haven't said yes."

"But you will." He cups my face. "Because under all that stubbornness, you're smart. And smart women know when to accept help."

As it turns out, that's true.

Because an hour later, I stand in the center of what is now apparently my living room, turning in a slow circle. It took one look at how hard it was to get into the apartment for me to agree.

Floor-to-ceiling windows stretch from one end to the other, offering a panoramic view of the city that makes my old apartment feel like a shoebox. The furniture is all clean lines and modern luxury - a massive sectional in butter-soft leather, abstract art pieces that probably cost more than I make in a year.

"Your face." Nerio's voice carries amusement as he crosses the room to me. "Like you've never seen a decent apartment before."

"Decent?" I run my hand along the marble countertop separating the living room from a kitchen that would make professional chefs weep. "This place is insane. These appliances alone must have cost-"

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