Page 15 of Deadly Intentions

“Call in sick.” I stood and moved to the counter, knowing she would blow up at my remark.

“No.” The sound of the chair scraping across the floor told me I was right. “I will not call in sick, so you can forget that.”

“The man who tried to kill you is likely linked to your boss. Do you think it’s wise to show your face there today?”

“I don’t—” The sound of her phone cut her words off. Her eyes shot to the device incessantly ringing against the counter.

She grabbed it and stared at the screen, conflicted on whether or not to answer. I knew by her body language it was him. The man she’d been out on a date with.

“Go ahead. Answer it.” I barked, my jealousy rearing its ugly head.

She stabbed her finger at the button and pressed the phone to her head. “Hello.”

Her skin slowly tinged pink as she watched me for my reaction. My body tensed as I listened to a one-sided conversation. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know he was talking about their time together and probably asking for more.

“Alex. I had fun last night, but like I told you. I’m just not ready. I’m sorry if I led you on.”

Her words made my heart soar. She might have wanted to create a new life here, but her heart still belonged to me. And I was going to remind her of that as soon as she hung up the phone. I inched closer to her, watching as her throat bobbed with nerves. My close proximity was making her body flush and her pupils dilate.

“I’ll see you at the hospital tonight. I’m sorry again. Yes, of course we can be friends.” I crowded her against the counter, pressing my body against hers. “Alex, I have to go.” I grabbed the phone and disconnected the call. The phone clattered against the hard surface as I tossed it to the side.

“What are you doing?” Her voice came out a whisper.

“Did he touch you?” I ran my fingers down her arms, tracing the ink that covered her skin.

“Donny.” She whimpered.

“Answer me, Catarina. Did… Alex have his hands on you?”

“We didn’t have sex if that’s what you’re asking me. I couldn’t.”

“Why didn’t you?” I thrust my hips into her, pressing my arousal into her center. She hissed as her eyes closed. “Say it.”

“I couldn’t. Ok? Is that what you want to hear? That I couldn’t sleep with a man that wanted me.”

“And why do you think that is?” I fisted her hair and tilted her head backward and dipped my mouth toward the spot I knew drove her wild with want.

“I…” she moaned as I latched onto her neck, sucking the tender flesh into my mouth.

“Tell me.” My tongue traced a path to her ear.

“You’re the only man I’veeverbeen with. The only man I'lleverwant.”

I froze at her admission. “What do you mean? Are you saying I was the first man to touch you, Catarina?”

“The first and the only.” Her words came out in a whisper, but I didn't miss what she grumbled next. "And you've ruined me for all others."

All control I had went out the window and I fastened my mouth over hers. My tongue delved between her lips, owning her with everything I had to give. A slow sizzle started in my blood, igniting into a full-blown inferno as I staked my claim. Catarina moaned against my lips, giving into the passion that burned between us. Heat course through me, incinerating me from the inside out. I needed this woman almost as much as I needed air to breathe.

Lifting her from the floor, I set her on the counter and wedged myself between her thighs. The heat of her center radiated against my groin, breathing life into my already hard cock. My palms pressed against the counter as I leaned into her body.

“And that’s how it will remain, Catarina. No other man will touch you. No other man will have what belongs to me.This. Is. Mine.” My hips ground into the vee between her legs as I said each word.

Catarina narrowed her eyes at me, her mind at war with her body. Her lashes fluttered as her lids closed. “Donny,” she whispered my name, the tone laced with desire and apprehension.

My mouth fastened over hers again, taking what belonged to me. She resisted for a fraction of a second before her lips finally parted, welcoming me inside, and giving in to her body's demands. The touch of her hands against my shoulders sent electric currents of need through my veins. This woman was going to be my undoing. I’d known that from the moment I met her. In all the years before, of trying to erase her from my mind with meaningless sex, Catarina had always burned in the depths of my soul—owning me from the inside out.

“What are you doing?” she whimpered, her legs latching around my back as I broke the kiss and pulled her off the counter into my arms.

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