Page 4 of Assassin's Mark
Vibrations lit up my pocket. Levi chuckled this time, his cool fingers gripping my chin. “Why don’t you go see what the problem is?”
“Because I don’t care.”
“And I don’t want your attention divided—I’d rather have you all to myself.” Heat licked at me as his hungry gaze settled once more on my mouth. “Trust me; I’ll be here whenyou get back.”
Why would a guy this hot be waiting for a girl like me? The questions beat at my brain, demanding an answer, but I’d never screw up the courage to say the words aloud, so I slipped reluctantly from his arms instead. Rather than returning to the table, I walked down the hall to the ladies’ room and hurried inside. The stalls were empty, so I pulled my phone from my pocket and scrolledthrough my contacts until I came to my father’s number, not bothering to check the texts. Personal experience had taught me that he wouldn’t stop until he heard my voice.
“What do you think you’re doing, Abigail?”
“Hello to you too, Dad.”
Pride filled me at the lack of fear in my voice—until the fury in my father’s growl made me tremble.
The sound of people talking that filtered through thephone became muffled; Dad moving to a more secluded area. “I’ve had enough of your goddamn games, Abigail. I’m sending a car for you; it’ll be outside in ten minutes, and I want you inside it in ten and a half. You will come to this dinner, and you will be by my side when I make my announcement—or you will regret it. Is that clear?”
“That’s going to be difficult since I’m not at home.”
“I knowexactly where you are. Do you think I’m an idiot?”
“How—” But I was no idiot either.Or maybe I am, because…cell phone.I pulled the device away from my ear to stare at it, dazed, my father’s rants and demands registering vaguely, like flies my mind batted away without conscious thought. Only the tone flowed over me, a trick I’d learned as a young girl—or more of a survival strategy, really.The only way to endure the hours of lectures and discipline that had filled my childhood.
“Get your ass outside right this minute and wait for Charlie to arrive. I won’t have you shaming this family.”
That registered. Or rather, slapped me awake.Iwas bringing shame to our family? Me? My father expected me to marry for his convenience, for the good of his political career, but I was the shamefulone? I squeezed down on the cell, the sound of plastic creaking in protest satisfying something inside me that ached to burst free. Too bad I wasn’t strong enough to pulverize the damn thing.
And yet, a large part of me believed him. Always had. After all, if I wasn’t shameful, he would love me, right?
No. Wrong. You’re not going to let that bastard poison you anymore, Abby.
I wasn’t the Hulk,able to crush a cell phone with a single twitch of my fingers, but I was strong enough to drop it into the trash can full of wet paper towels and walk out of the bathroom without looking back. In the hall, the sight of Levi leaning against the wall, obviously waiting, hands stuffed into his pockets, brought me to an abrupt stop. My mouth went dry. I’d spent my life trying to please a man, andlook where that had gotten me.
I was already bringingshameto the Roslyn name; maybe I should embrace the role instead of letting my father’s words cut me to pieces.
I moved closer. One side of Levi’s mouth tilted up, and he wrapped those big hands around my hips the minute I came within reach. A gravelly rumble escaped him, sinking beneath my skin and sending shivers to the deepest part ofmy being. Heavy-lidded eyes devoured me, shouting a desire I found hard to believe, but it was there nonetheless. Hunger. Pleasure. That look sent a surge of desperation so strong through me that I couldn’t speak if I’d wanted to.
It’s now or never, Abby.
I didn’t stop or slow. I moved into his space until my body was pressed firmly against his, lifted my chin, and met the lips that loweredto mine.
Chapter Three
His fingers bit into my hips, holding me tight, bruising with the force of his desire—and I reveled in it. I’d gladly bear bruises if it proved that, for once, someone wanted me, Abby Roslyn, not the daughter of politician and wealthy businessman Derrick Roslyn. Levi’s grip, the way he opened his mouth and let me in, the urgent push of his erection againstmy stomach said this was about hunger, not status. I needed that, wanted it with a desperation that probably made me pathetic, but so what? My entire life probably seemed pathetic to most people.
It was time to leave that old Abby behind. And what better way to do it than with an act that would also give me pleasure?
I retreated just enough to meet Levi’s eyes. They burned with the same intensityas his touch, reassuring me, fanning the flames that already consumed me. I swallowed hard. “Would you…”
His fingers speared into my hair, tangling in the thick length, his palm big enough to cup my head. That touch steadied me, secured me. I couldn’t fall with someone that strong holding me. “Would I what, Abby?”
“Would you like to go someplace more…private?”
Silence. I dug my teeth into mybottom lip, that “not acompletefool” prayer echoing in my mind for the umpteenth time. Maybe he expected a quick screw in the bathroom? But I didn’t want quick. If I was going to do this, I wanted it to last.
Levi stroked a rough finger over my mouth, forcing me to let go of my lip. “Are you sure that’s what you want? You don’t really know me.”
I know I want you. I know you want me. I knowI don’t want to be locked in a cage with no way out.“I know enough.”
This time he kissed me, forcing me harder against him until my curves melded into the nooks and crannies of his powerful body. I could feel the demand, the hunger in his tight muscles as he bent me to his will. Wise or not, my body softened against him, surrendering control, yielding to the ferocious roar of desire, both fromwithout and within.
