Page 52 of Vicious Intentions

He inhaled sharply, continuing his exploration, turning my arm over as he trailed his finger down to my wrist. When he traced the scar, a scowl crossed his face.

“It’s not what it looks like,” I told him.

“Meaning?” He lifted a single eyebrow, and the look belonged on the cover of a men’s fashion magazine.

“I didn’t try and kill myself. I’m much stronger than that.”

“That’s not what I was thinking, sweet Rose.”

“Then what were you thinking?”

“That whoever hurt you should be punished. Now that I’ve claimed you, no harm will come your way.”

The words were satisfying and adorable in a Neanderthal kind of way, but his possessive tendencies forced my heart to go pitter-patter.

“It was an accident I don’t even remember. And I feel it necessary to warn you, Mr. Augustine. I’m not easily claimed by anyone under any circumstances. I’ve never been, and I don’t plan on it anytime soon.”

He sat down, pulling his chair closer to mine, then easing his arm against the back. When he wrapped his hand around the flute, I noticed a massive black onyx ring on his middle finger. There was a crest of some kind with a red ruby positioned in the center. I could swear there were two swords but didn’t want to make it apparent I was staring. He lifted the glass, cocking his head.

“To a fascinating and beautiful woman.”

I pressed my crystal rim to his, the man able to hold my gaze for longer than necessary. Heat rushed from my neck to my jaw as he lowered his eyes, his nostrils flaring. He wasn’t just unwrapping the package underneath. He was peeling it away slowly, tasting me as he prepared to consume me whole.

“To a dominating man who believes he has a right to obtain every possession that might satiate his desires.”

Grinning, he gulped almost half the glass. Everything about him was sexy, including the way his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed. “You overestimate my power.”

“I don’t think so. What do you do, Mr. Augustine?”

“I think we’re way past formalities, Ms. Sadler. Don’t you think?”

“Meaning what?”

When he leaned in, his masculine, musky scent was immediately intoxicating. Who needed expensive champagne to feel raw euphoria?

“Meaning, budding Rose, there’s no need to dance around our attraction. Now is there?”

In the sunlight, his deep chocolate eyes had become almost luminescent. If he thought I was so enthralled I’d soak up his charm like a dried-out sponge, he was sorely wrong. I took control of the situation, running the tip of my nail around his full lips, slowly removing my sunglasses. Then I leaned in so close our lips were almost touching. “Our attraction might be carnal, desire brimming the surface, but unless there’s something honorable under the handsome, polished exterior, then I will never be interested.”

His breathing was labored, his eyes becoming hooded. I refused to lean away, daring him to make the first move.

I wasn’t prepared for the treachery of my body when he rolled a single finger down the side of my face and under my chin. Tingles prickled every nerve, my breath skipping more than a beat or two. When he wrapped his fingers around my cheek, keeping his thumb positioned under my chin, I finally stiffened.

“As far as your question. I own a textile manufacturing firm in Philly.”

“Did business bring you into town?”

He sighed. “Yes, the circumstances not what I’d hoped. It would seem a contract could possibly go south, which doesn’t bode well for my personality.”

“I’m certain you’ll strong-arm them into doing what you want.”

“Yes, I plan on it.”

“A take charge kind of man.”

There was something deliciously dark about his grin. “I am in every aspect of my business and personal life.”

“Does that mean you’d control me?” I could tell my question enticed him.

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