Page 23 of His Ruthless Obsession

"Money isn't relevant." He moves behind me, his hands settling on my hips. "What matters is you're safe here."

I lean back against his chest despite myself. I've already let him put his hands all over me tonight so why hold back? Tomorrow, I can put distance between us, but tonight, it's not a new mistake to make. And I want the warmth of his touch. "The security system really that good?"

"Better." His breath tickles my ear. "Triple-encrypted access codes. Bulletproof glass. Motion sensors. Heat mapping. If someone so much as breathes wrong within fifty feet of this place, I know about it."

"Seems excessive."

"Not when it comes to protecting you."

I should bristle at the possessiveness in his voice. Instead, warmth blooms in my chest. After years of looking over my shoulder, of triple-checking locks that felt paper-thin, the solid weight of security wraps around me like a blanket.

"Come here." He turns me toward the windows. "Best part of the place."

The sun is starting to come up, painting the sky in streaks of pink and gold. City lights flicker off below us, a sea of diamonds spread out at our feet. From up here, everything feels distant, contained. Safe.

"And look." He guides me to a set of glass doors leading to a massive terrace. "Plenty of space for your garden. Better than that cramped rooftop."

My fingers press against the glass. The terrace stretches the length of the penthouse, already equipped with built-in planters and a sophisticated irrigation system.

"You really thought of everything."

"I take care of what matters." His arms wrap around my waist from behind. "Get used to it."

What I don't get used to is the nightly check-ins. They should be simple, innocent. But every night it gets harder and harder to resist the man.

Like when I don't expect him to be coming.

Steam curls around me as I step out of the shower, wrapping a fluffy white towel around my body. But a knock at the front door makes me freeze.

I check the security panel - it's Nerio. Of course.

"One minute!" I call out, searching frantically for my robe. Empty hooks mock me — it's still in the dryer.

Another knock, more insistent. "Jazz."

"I said one-" The words die in my throat as the door opens.

Nerio fills the doorframe, a bag of takeout in one hand. His eyes drag over me, lingering on the drops of water trailing down my neck, the way the towel clings to my curves.

"Bad timing?" His voice comes out rough.

"I was just-" I gesture vaguely toward the bathroom, very aware of how little this towel covers. "You could have called first."

"And miss this view?" He steps inside, setting the food down without taking his eyes off me. "I brought dinner."

"I can see that." I back up, clutching the towel tighter. "Let me get dressed."

"If you insist." His lips curve into that dangerous smile. "Though I prefer this outfit."

Heat crawls up my neck. "You're impossible."

"And you're beautiful when you're flustered." He advances slowly, like a predator stalking prey. "All that soft skin on display..."

My back hits the wall. He plants his hands on either side of my head, caging me in.

"Nerio..." My voice wavers.

"Yes?" His fingers trace my collarbone, following a water droplet down.

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