Page 37 of Seeking Vengeance

It’s clear this pull has something to do with the thrill of the unknown, only the more I learn, the more my attraction grows.

“Maybe there doesn’t need to be a reason.” I inch forward, reaching for him, tangling my fingers in his shirt, feeling the hard muscle beneath. “Maybe this is just a phase that hit us both at the same place at the same time.”

“You’re no phase,amore mio.I can guarantee that.”

When he says those things—the endearing luscious words—I fall for them every time. My skin becomes awash with goose bumps. My breathing falters. Now is no different.

“What if that’s all I can offer?” I tug him into me. “What if right now is all there is?”

“You said you don’t do one-night stands.”

“It’s still daylight outside.” I grin, undoing the buttons on my blouse, exposing the lace bra beneath.

“I already told you, once will never be enough. I meant it, Lay.” He presses his forehead to mine, ignoring the skin I’ve put on display. “You need to go take that bath.”

“Why?”

“So I’m forced to leave you alone.”

I close my eyes, drowning in the closeness. In the pure affection that’s entirely new to me. “And if I don’t want to be left alone?”

A gentle groan rumbles in his throat. “Take the bath, Layla.”

I nuzzle my nose against his. “I don’t want to.”

The groan builds, the sound increasing my thrill.

I slide my mouth over his, the connection featherlight. In an instant, he’s all over me, stalking into me until I’m backed into the wall, the glass taken from my hand to be dropped to the carpeted floor with a heavy thud.

He steals my mouth. My decency.

I claw at him, yanking at his shirt, forcing him closer. He responds with a harsh grip of my ass, his fingers digging into my flesh, his groan changing to a growl.

“I need you,” I murmur against his lips. “Now.”

He ignores me, kissing, clutching, parting my knees with his own. I’m so ready for this.Tooready. It’s almost embarrassing.

“Take the bath.” He snakes his tongue over mine. “Walk away because I’m too weak to make the decision for you.”

I can’t. I wish I could. This isn’t in the best interest of either of us. I know this. I know it with every fiber of my being. And still I can’t move.

“Take it, Layla,” he begs. “You’re not ready to sleep with me yet.”

“I’m not?”

His chuckle is faint. “No,amore mio. You’re not.”

My blood runs hot, my pulse pounding at the apex of my thighs. But I believe him. The warning slips through the lust haze to give me a good shake.

“Okay.” I plaster a hand to his chest and force myself to retreat. “I’ll take the bath.”

“Good.” He turns and stalks away, disappearing into what I assume is the bathroom.

I pause a second to regain my composure before I follow, entering the gleaming white room a few steps behind.

He stands in the middle of the tiled floor, staring at the tub already towered with bubbles, the fluffy clouds piled above the rim, a towel folded and waiting on the vanity along the back wall.

“You didn’t need to do this for me.” I move farther inside. “I could’ve run the water myself.”

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