Page 53 of The Arrogant's Redemption

I close my eyes again, soaking in the feeling of his breath against my face. One arm is under my head, the other across my stomach, like a cage.

The best prison in the world.

But nothing this good lasts forever, and I need to literally wake up to reality. I’m not sure how someone is supposed to behave the next morning after casual sex, but I doubt sleeping in is part of it.

Maybe he was too exhausted from the trip from New York and passed out before he could remember to take me home. Either way, I know myself—I’ll feel rejected if he wakes up and tells me it’s time to go. I’d rather make that decision myself, evenif the last thing I want is to leave this warm bed and this perfect body pressed against mine.

"What are you thinking about?"

I jump—I had no idea he was awake.

I try to guess what a sophisticated woman would say before being kicked out.

"Nothing, darling, just remembered I have a critically important waxing appointment."

Or maybe,"It was an incredible night. I’ll see you around."

I grimace. That’s not me. I might be a coward sometimes, but I’m always honest. So I turn around and face him.

I’ll never be ready for the impact of LJ’s beauty. God, it’s like lying naked next to a model.

"I’m thinking of a way to salvage my dignity by leaving before you hit me with one of those classic movie lines, where the hero wants to get rid of his one-night stand and?—"

He pulls me to him by the nape and silences me with a kiss.

I try, for a few seconds, to hold on to rational thought. I can’t fall for this man. It was obvious last night that LJ is a career seducer.

When he finally pulls away, he still doesn’t let me go. "Do you have to work today?"

Say yes, the little voice of reason inside me begs. "No. I’m off until Monday."

"Spend the weekend with me."

"Is that how you usually act with your women?"

"Forget that, Alexis. Nothing about what’s happening between us is how I normally act."

"Don’t make me feel special."

"Why not? You are. Say you’ll be mine until Monday."

"I like deadlines. They give me a sense of safety. Okay. Until Monday. After that, we?—"

"Shhh . . . One day at a time."

"No."

He bites my ear. "Yes. You already know enough about me to understand I don’t give up on what I want."

"And what if I don’t want you?"

"Youdowant me."

"Has anyone ever told you you’re incredibly arrogant?"

"Among other things. Enough thinking, sexy. I need you."

I wish I could say I don’t know what I’m doing, that he’s seducing me and playing dirty—but the truth is I don’t want to go anywhere. So instead of lying to myself, I surrender to the passion.

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