Page 32 of Required Surrender

“You’re crazy!”

Lachlan gave me a commanding and very stern look. I suddenly felt like the bad girl who would soon be standing in a corner, ready and eager to admit her sins. My body betrayed me, my mind unable to stop the tingles from slamming into my system. This was getting out of hand.

I glanced to see if my father was anywhere close, and I had a feeling Lachlan had already dealt with him once and for all.

“Now, do I make myself clear? You are mine for seven days and nights. And I can and will do anything I want to that luscious body of yours. I will discipline you when necessary, control your actions, take what belongs to me. In doing so, I’ll awaken the woman you long to become, freeing your soul. And in the end, you’ll thank me.”

Thank him? No, I might find a way to destroy him.

There was nothing else I could say but what he was expecting. “Yes, sir.”

However, I was already plotting my moment of revenge.

CHAPTER9

Lachlan

The feisty woman wasn’t just trouble with a capital T. Lark was sin and shame, filth and a taste of the forbidden all wrapped up into a tantalizing package. Her hatred of me only added fuel to the flames already licking at my mind. There was almost nothing I adored more than an excellent verbal sparring match.

And I planned on indulging in both multiple times.

Even though ugly, angry thoughts had crept into my mind. I was playing with fire on two fronts, maybe more, including the fact she was representing a man who could present difficulties for my corporation. I’d been shocked when Trent had mentioned it, likely given he knew about the difficulties in my past. Spending time with her could certainly resurrect ghosts I’d driven away with the help of too much liquor and random acts of destruction.

Along with acts of blackmail I wasn’t proud of.

Even Jameson and Grant had taken turns babysitting me for almost three months. The ugliness of my past was something I’d worked diligently to put behind me. Why was I risking any additional unwanted limelight because of a single woman?

The answer was startlingly as refreshing as it was ludicrous. The beautiful attorney unnerved me in all the right ways. My need to control and possess her was more powerful than anything I’d felt in a long time.

As I guided her to my car, she remained as far away from me as possible, keeping her head high. She looked stunning tonight, her voluptuous curves calling to the sadistic man like a beacon flashing in the darkness.

I’d enjoyed her father’s reaction more than I should have and I fully expected to hear from him again. I almost laughed from memories of the horrified look on his face. When I chuckled out loud, she threw me a hateful look.

“You’re enjoying every minute of this. Aren’t you?”

“I am. However, contrary to what you might believe, I’m all about saving the animals.”

“The. You make them sound like objects, not beautiful creatures to be adored, cared for, and treated like family.”

I pressed the unlock button on the key fob, the beep forcing her to jump. “I can see you’re a bleeding heart.”

“Ha,” she scoffed. “And I know you’re a cold-hearted bastard.”

“You know what they say. Opposites attract.” As I opened the passenger door for her, she pulled away, acting as if she wouldn’t dare allow any man to treat her like a lady, least of all the asshole who’d purchased her time.

“Let’s get something straight, Lachlan. I understand you… won the bid, but that doesn’t mean I intend on pretending to like you for a split second of the drudgery I’m going to be forced to endure.”

I moved closer, crowding her space. Her perfume was as intoxicating as her caustic mouth. When she flinched, I took a deep breath, allowing my exhale to float across her cheeks. “As I told you before. You will follow my every command. While I appreciate your rebellious attitude, there will come a time I’ll lose my patience.”

Her lower lip quivered, the fire in her eyes shifting into apprehension.

“Do I frighten you, sweetheart?”

“A man like you certainly couldn’t scare me. You act as if your arrogance is justified, but that’s because you’re a tiny little man with an even smaller cock.”

“My. My. I can see I’ll need to add washing your mouth out with soap to the regime of discipline.”

That floored her, Lark’s mouth twisting in frustration and anger. “Don’t call me sweetheart ever again.”

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