Page 44 of Claim

“And where is that?” I eyed her, having no clue what the hell one did in a sample room or where I’d find it.

“Around the corner down that hallway.” She pointed to her right.

With long strides, I took the corridor. I reached the area filled with racks of clothes, shoes, purses, and every accessory imaginable. Everything sat in strategically placed sections based on color and style.

I heard her voice before I saw her. She leaned against a wall with a cell phone tucked against her neck. She wore an ivory jumpsuit, more casual than anything I’d ever seen on her. This was an outfit I’d expect her to sleep in or just lounge about in at home.

Her clothes starkly contrasted the runway makeup still adorning her face, giving her a hue of perfection that added to her Morelli beauty. However, if someone looked deeper, they’d see the shadows of exhaustion touching the corners of her eyes and the heavy set of her shoulders.

There it was, the unguarded vulnerability she rarely allowed anyone to witness. Gone was the façade, the armor protecting herself from the world.

Whoever she spoke to and whatever pain she felt at this moment gave me the urge to protect her, keep her, shelter her. I wanted her locked in my home, away from the world.

Getting too carried away with this possessiveness would only lead to trouble. I’d hurt her, destroy her with my needs and obsession, and when I couldn’t give her what she desired, it would break her. I couldn’t let what happened to Maria repeat with Sophia.

But everything inside me said it was already too fucking late.

I moved in closer to her.

“I want you to get tucked into bed and then sleep as long as you need.”

She closed her eyes, dropping her head back against the wall.

“No, you don’t need to worry about anything. You have security. Yes, I promise, I don’t need them,” she paused. “I have a backup team. My brothers keep me covered.”

Sensing my presence, she opened her lids and focused on me. Her barriers slid back up, and the cool mask of control settled into place. Well, except for the spark of attraction that flushed her cheeks.

“I’ll check on you later tonight.” She ended her call, setting the phone on a shelf near her. “Who allowed you back here?”

Slowly, I stalked in her direction. “No one allows me to do anything. I just do.”

“Let me ask you a different question.” She shifted her body, standing up straight and setting a hand on her hip. “Why are you here?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“This is hardly your type of scene.”

“And what is my type of scene, Miss Morelli?”

She held her ground as I approached. “Not a fashion show, during fashion week in New York City with half-naked models.”

“It is when my submissive is the half-naked model.” I gripped her throat and pressed her against the wall. “Didn’t I tell you this body belongs to me?”

“When did this move outside of the club?” Her breath came out in short, heavy pants as she clutched my shirt with both of her hands. “You don’t have any say in what happens in the real world.”

“I have all the say when what’s mine is on display for everyone to see.”

“I’m only yours in the club, not here.”

I traced a finger over the dark shadow appearing under her eyes. “You’re exhausted. You need to take care of yourself.”

“I’m a grown woman. I don’t take orders from you.”

“If that was true, what do you call what happened the other night?”

“Correction. I don’t take orders from you outside of the club.”

“I won’t have you getting sick.” I leaned forward. “You need to get some sleep.”

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