Page 78 of Compelled Obedience

“Does Casey like it?”

“Honestly, I’m shocked that he does. All he’s ever talked about was having a big yard with a fence and a dog. I have no idea how he attached himself to wanting a puppy, but that’s all he ever asks for, which is something I can’t give him. He was playing for a little while with all his new things. Now he’s taking a nap, completely content. That doesn’t happen. Why are you being so amazing to us? You barely know me.”

“I know enough.”

“Why?”

“Why?” he asked as he slid the tie around the collar of his shirt.

“Yes, why.” As I’d done before, I moved closer, taking the opportunity to create the knot in his tie. However, I also gave him a slight glare, refusing to allow him to get away without telling me.

“Because there was no time to pack up all Casey’s things.”

I shot him a look, even managing to lift a single eyebrow like he could do. “Try again, buster. A convenient yet ridiculous excuse since I’m certain you have about a dozen people at your beck and call to handle any job you want taken care of.”

“Buster, now? Not as delightful as Master but…” As he continued to study me, I was thrown by the heat building across my jaw. “Because I care about both of you. You brought something special to my life, a light that I thought long gone. I want more of it.”

“I don’t want you to buy me. I need to do this for myself. Can you understand that?”

“I do, Kerri. This is nothing more than temporary. You need time, space, and things at your disposal, and I can provide them. That’s the least of what I can do. But it’s settled. You are moving in.” When I frowned, he fisted my hair, pulling me closer. “What else do you need?”

“Nope.”

“Tell me or I will issue a hard spanking.”

I could tell pouting wasn’t going to get me anywhere. “Ugh. I’m not sure my little car will be able to make the drive every day.” God, how I hated admitting how poor I was. Now I sounded as if I was holding out my hand for more.

“Already taken care of. You’ll have a car waiting for you in the garage. Again, don’t fight me. You won’t win.”

“In return, I can’t offer you anything. I’m not for sale, Grant. I care about you but…” I couldn’t finish the statement. There was something more than chemistry between us, an unforgiving need that had already become a drug. When I was around him, I remained intoxicated with need and lust, the longing only increasing with time. That wasn’t the best place for my mind to be, not when I had no understanding of who my stepfather had sold my soul and my body to.

That’s what I’d come to realize over the last few hours. Unable to punish a dead man for whatever crime or treachery Drago had committed, his only living kin was the next best thing. They weren’t after me. Whoever was doing this was after Casey. I would simply be a little toy for a short duration.

Or Drago had told someone he suspected I had incriminating information. The thought had nagged at me for hours. My mind churned with the memories, pictures taken of the horrific murder. At least they were locked away in a safe place.

I finished knotting his tie, patting it with one hand before taking a step back.

He narrowed his eyes. “I’m not buying, little kitten. I’m protecting and providing for what belongs to me.”

“What if I don’t want to be owned?” I allowed him to hear the usual defiance in my voice, curious as to what he was going to say.

I could sense he was trying to do everything in his power to make me feel better, but the dark cloud hanging over my head wasn’t allowing that to happen. Suddenly, there was an ache behind my eyes, the same agony I used to feel in my temple every time I was in the same room as Drago. It was as if the years had slowly faded, the ammunition I’d built around me failing.

“Then I guess I’ll need to entice you to come to an understanding. But know that you won’t win the battle. I will. I’ll always be in control.”

For about a thousand reasons, his dominance created a wave of shivers.

Seconds later, he touched his tie and smiled. “You’re pretty good at this. I think I’m jealous.”

“Jealous? I think I like that look on you.” He had a way of bringing me out of the darkness.

He wrapped his fingers around the back of my neck, pulling me onto my toes as he closed the distance. When he tipped my head back, I’d never felt so tiny in my life standing in my bare feet. “Be careful, little kitten. I am a very possessive man.”

“You’re just telling me this now?” I teased.

His laugh was short lived, concern replacing the fake jovialness we’d tried to continue throughout the day. He captured my mouth, keeping his tight hold on my neck. Always so possessive, comfortable in his skin. I admired that as well as so many things about the man.

He tasted like peppermint, the sensations on my tongue creating dozens of prickly tingles, but it was his intoxicating scent that I couldn’t get enough of. I slipped my arms around him, falling into the moment of passion, the vibrations dancing through me more electrified than before.

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