Page 71 of Required Surrender

“I’m not trying to interfere with your life, but,” I said in a deep, commanding voice, “you will return as soon as you’re finished. We’re going to dinner and to a rival club tonight.”

“Please don’t tell me I’m wearing leather and lace.”

Every mannerism, the way she defied me at every turn was far too exciting. “A stunning dress will do for tonight only. The leather and chains come later in the evening.”

Shuddering, she took a deep breath. “Then I’ll need to stop by my apartment. I have the perfect dress in mind.”

“Allowed.” I held up my index finger. “Leave the case alone. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

As she tilted her head, dragging her tongue across her lips, the pull of desire shot through the fury. I couldn’t imagine spending the rest of my life without her. Maybe I’d reached a point in my life where knowing what I wanted made the taste that much sweeter. This woman tasted of honey and sunshine, two of so many things I’d refused in my life. No longer.

I lowered my head, taking my time pressing my lips against her, enjoying the quiet moment. She eased her hands against my chest, rolling them over my shoulders. The way she tangled her fingers in my hair created waves of energy, sparks of heat that refused to be denied. I pushed my tongue inside, the hungry beast inside of me craving more.

Lark arched her back, her soft moans fueling the fire. My grip tightened, my fingers pressing into her delicate skin. As the kiss become more than just shared intimacy, my cock ached to the point of utter anguish. She did this to me. She untangled the web of guilt and hatred I felt for myself, pushing her way inside. The woman was the fulfillment of everything I’d craved and nothing else could satisfy my needs.

As she swept her tongue inside, she undulated her hips, creating a spasm of friction. The jolts of current increased, pushing me to the point if I wasn’t careful, I’d lose control. She knew exactly what she was doing to me, her soft whimpers tickling all my senses. I slipped my arm under her thigh, dragging her leg around me. She dug her fingers into the back of my neck, trembling in my hold.

The heat became a blazing fire, and it was all I could do not to fuck her right here. I dominated her tongue, sweeping it from one side of her mouth to the other, drinking in her moans as she continued wiggling. When she dared slide one hand between us, stroking my cock, my resolve began to crumble even more.

Suddenly, she broke the kiss, pushing herself away and laughing. “Not before breakfast.”

“I think you need a lesson in who you belong to. You will never be in control.” I dragged her back, swatting her bottom twice, laughing from the sound of her yelps.

My resolve took an entirely different turn.

My need increasing.

My possession deepening.

I’d found my soulmate.

Anyone who tried to come between us would face my wrath.

* * *

Lark

Disturbed.

There was no other word to use. I remained antsy, my nerves on edge. I’d thought out a plan the moment I’d heard about the death of the other girl. While I wouldn’t know for certain unless I conned information from Trent, my gut told me that Ashley Neeples had been an on-call girl with Elite Entertainment.

When Lachlan had gone to shower, I’d searched the internet for their contact information for the entertainment service, rushing to make a call. I’d been shocked when I’d gotten an appointment with Elite right away only hours after making the call. I had a feeling with two girls off their roster, they needed to hire additional girls to fill their quota. What I was doing was dangerous, but if I could garner any information that might be helpful from the interview, it would be worth lying to Lachlan.

Or so I hoped.

I headed to my apartment to change and grab a dress for the evening. The entire time I was driving, all I’d been able to think about was what Lachlan was hiding. His unwillingness to tell me wouldn’t be a red flag under normal circumstances, but his guilt was evident by the sadness drifting in his eyes. The man I was falling hard for wasn’t a killer, but if he wasn’t careful, he could be made out as one. I couldn’t allow that to happen.

I rushed into my living room, scanning the living room, still nervous. There was no reason for me to believe anyone had been inside my apartment, but when butterflies churned in my stomach, my instinct always told me to watch my surroundings. That had kept me from being mugged on two occasions.

Then I noticed something on the floor a foot or so in front of the door. The rectangular piece of paper appeared to have something handwritten on it. It certainly hadn’t been there when I’d left my apartment the last time. A cold chill shuttered my actions for a few seconds. Then I walked closer, shifting my gaze from one side of the room to the other. From what I could tell, nothing appeared disturbed.

With the gap under the door, it was entirely possible the note had been shoved underneath. The single word startled me, the fact it was likely meant for me driving me to the same edge I’d been before.

Soon…

What the hell? My thoughts drifted to Ernest then to my father. From the way Ernest had acted after breaking into Lachlan’s house, I’d known he was ‘off.’ That was the only word that made sense.

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