Page 17 of The Billionaire's Bargain
Fury scalded her, and as unwise as it was, she stalked forward, until only inches separated them. “You’re so damn sure of yourself. It must be nice to know everything and have all the answers. To be so sure you have all the facts, when in truth you don’t. Know. A. Damn. Thing,” she bit out.
He lowered his head until their noses nearly bumped, and his breath coasted across her mouth. She could taste his kiss, the sinful, addictive flavor of it.
Memories bombarded her. Memories of his lips owning hers, taking, giving. Of his hands cupping her breasts, tweaking the tips that even now ached and taunted beneath her bra. Of his fingers burying themselves inside her over and over, stroking places inside her that had never been touched before.
Of his cock, so hard and demanding beneath her...
“So you don’t care if I take another woman?” he pressed, shifting so another inch disappeared.
An image of him covering someone else, moving over her, straining against her...driving into her, filled her head. A hot wave of anger swamped her, green-tipped claws raking her chest. Her fingers curled into her palms, but she shook her head. Whether it was to rid herself of the mental pictures or in denial of the emotion that smacked of jealousy—a jealousy she had no business, no right, to feel—she didn’t know.
“No,” she lied, retreating. “Just respect my son and me.”
The corner of his mouth tipped into a scornful half smile. “Of course,” he said, the words containing more than a hint of a sneer. “Now I have a couple of conditions. The first, we marry in three months. That should give you plenty of time to become accustomed to the arrangement, me and condition number two. You and Aiden are going to move in with me.”
Oh, hell no. “No, not happening.”
He nodded. “Yes, you are,” he contradicted, the flint in his voice echoed in his eyes. “That’s my deal breaker. One of my reasons for this whole arrangement is for Aiden to be raised in a safe, secure environment. He’ll have both here.”
“Okay, fine. I understand that. But why do we need to live with you. We could find an apartment or home in Edison Park or Beverly—”
“No,” he stated flatly, cutting her protest off at the knees. “You’ll both live here, and Aiden will know a home with two parents. This isn’t a point for discussion, Isobel.”
Shit. Living under the same roof as Darius? That would be like Eve sleeping under the damn apple tree. Temptation. Trouble. But what option did she have? Sighing, she pinched the bridge of her nose. Okay, she could do it. Besides, this house was huge. She didn’t even have to occupy the same side as Darius.
“Fine,” she breathed. “Is there anything else?” She had the sudden need to get out of the house. Away from him. At least until she had no choice but to share his space.
“One last thing,” he said, his tone deepening, sending an ominous tremor skipping up her spine. “Say my name.”
She stared at him, not comprehending his request. No, his order.
“What?”
“Say my name, Isobel,” he repeated.
Tilting her head to the side, she conceded warily. “Darius.”
Heat flashed in his eyes, there and gone so fast, she questioned whether she imagined it. “That’s the first time you’ve said my name since that morning.”
He didn’t need to specify to which morning he referred. But the first time... That couldn’t be true. They’d had several conversations, or confrontations, since then... Then again, if it were true...
“Why does it matter?” she asked, something dark, complicated and hot twisting her stomach, pooling lower. “Why do you want to hear me say your name?”
He stared at her, the silence growing and pulsing until its deafening heartbeat filled the room. Her own heart thudded against her sternum, adding to the rhythm.
“Because I’ve wanted to know what it sounds like on your tongue,” he said, his voice quiet.
But so loud it rang in her ears.On your tongue. The words, so charged with a velvet, sensual promise, or threat—she couldn’t decide which—ricocheted against the walls of her head.
She shivered before she could check her telltale reaction. And those eagle eyes didn’t miss it. They turned molten, and his nostrils flared, his lips somehow appearing fuller, more carnal.
Danger.
Every survival instinct she possessed blared the warning in bright, blinking red. And in spite of the warmth between her legs transforming to an aching pulse, she heeded it.
Without a goodbye, she whirled around and got the hell out of there.
Maybe one day she could discover the trick to outrunning herself.
