Page 18 of His Personal Stripper

Chapter Seven

He’d surprised her. Jack saw that in her eyes. When he’d entered his home, he saw what Felicity was doing. He’d seen the slap and the spit, and he was so fucking angry. Any chance he was going to give that woman’s father was over. Jack wasn’t a very good man, not when someone attacked the people he loved.

Already, he’d gotten a newspaper closed down for some of the disparaging comments and headlines. No one came after what was his and got away with it.

That was all gone and in the past now. All that remained was the woman in his arms staring up at him as if he’d lost his damn mind. He really did think she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

The red mark on her cheek angered him.

“She wasn’t really happy to see me,” Rachel said, cracking a joke.

“She had no right to hit you. You’re my woman, Rachel.” He stroked a curl back behind her ear. “I love you, baby, and I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“How? You don’t really know me.”

“I know you, Rachel, and I know deep down that even if you don’t know it, you love me as well.”

She nibbled her lip, and he watched as she averted her gaze, pulling away from his touch.

Tilting her head back, he stared into her eyes, seeing the truth reflecting back at him. “You mean more to me than what I originally planned.” He sighed. “I’m not a great man, Rachel. I’m demanding. I want what I want, and I always go out of my way to get it. Work will always be part of my life. Charity events, people wondering what I’m doing or trying to tear you down.” He ran his thumb across her bottom lip and whimpered. She was pure temptation, and he wanted her all the time. “I’ll be by your side because I know what I want, and it’s you, Rachel. You’re the only woman I want. The only woman I’ll ever want.” He pressed a kiss against her lips. “Say something.”

“You’ve … surprised me.”

He chuckled. “I didn’t think I’d done anything differently.” He stared into her eyes, hating the red mark on her face. “You’re not like them, Rachel. You don’t see the world as about money or power.”

“You chased after me because you liked the way I look.”

He ran his hand down her back, gripping her ass and pulling her close. She didn’t fight him, and he loved how she melted against him, almost as if she couldn’t help it herself.

“I don’t regret it.”

“Now you’re saying that you’re in love with me.”

“And I know deep down that you love me as well. You’ve not had an easy life. I know you’re afraid to let anyone in.” He stared into her eyes, refusing to hide his feelings for her. “You love me, Rachel, even if you don’t want to admit it today, you will soon, when you allow yourself the chance to believe. I want to marry you,” he said, shocking her even more. The look in her eye made him smile. “Yes, I want to marry you. Put my ring on your finger and my child inside you. I don’t want to use condoms. I want to feel your bare pussy wrapped around my dick as I take you. To watch my cum spill from your cunt knowing that one day, you’ll have my child.”

“This is all really sudden.”

“Think about it.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “While you do—” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a ring. “Wear this.”

“Are you doing this to get back at people like Felicity?”

He shook his head. “I left them behind a long time ago. After I realized what I’d done by throwing away people’s lives, I went back. During conversations I’d start to ask questions about the businesses they’d lost. The people they hurt. No one gave a fuck. Lives didn’t matter to them, and once I thought I didn’t care either, but it wasn’t real. I never saw them until I was finally asked to open my eyes, and then—I saw them. I witnessed the pain and the sadness, and the fear. They stopped being names on sheets of paper, and they became real to me.” He slammed his lips down on hers. “Like you’re real to me, Rachel. Make no mistake about that. It won’t be a picnic being married to me. Women like Felicity will always try to tear you down, ruin you. Don’t let them get under your skin, and don’t let them change you.”

Tears were shining in her eyes, and he hated that he’d made her cry no matter the kind of tears. He didn’t want to upset her, not ever.

“I think our dinner is ready,” she said.

There was a beep in the distance, and he chuckled, pressing his head against hers. “Saved by food.” Pulling away, he took her hand. “Please, think about it.”

Leading her toward the kitchen, he watched as Rachel grabbed their food from the oven. Chicken enchiladas were served. He knew they were one of Rachel’s favorites so he always got his cook to make them for her.

Watching her serve the food, he imagined Rachel heavily pregnant, and it wouldn’t be long before he got her that way either. He didn’t like waiting long, and he knew without a doubt that Rachel loved him.

He just needed for her to realize it first.

****

Rachel did love Jack, but she didn’t trust her feelings. She didn’t know what to do or what to say. Hearing him tell her how he felt had only driven her crazy with longing. No man had ever stood up for her, or made sure she was part of his life. What if he got bored with her? Could she bring herself to be vulnerable to him?

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