Page 71 of Claim

The longing, the need between us, so thick, so visceral. Until I met this man, I’d never felt this type of draw to anyone. I wanted to soothe him, heal him, please him, and give him comfort. It was as if something deep in me craved this with every fiber of my being.

The way he stared at me broke my heart. It was as if he reached for me. He knew I’d break from the barest pass of his touch.

If only he understood how much I needed his hands on me.

I locked the door behind me and slowly made my way closer to him.

“What are you doing here, Sophia?” His voice sounded more like he cautioned me to keep my distance than ask a question.

“I came to find you.”

“Why?”

“That’s a dumb question.”

“I’m not in the mood for your attitude right now.” The way his voice deepened sent a flutter deep inside my core, and arousal hummed in my blood.

“What attitude? This is my base setting, or haven’t you realized this by now?”

A creased formed between his brows for a fraction of a second before he schooled it away. “Coming in here was a bad idea.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m not good for you. Stay away from me, Sophia.” The hard edge of his order pushed against every urge inside me to defy him.

“Or what?”

“You may become my next victim. Are you sure you want to risk it?” He held my gaze. “I’m a murderer, didn’t you hear? I’m responsible for Maria’s death. It would be best if you walked away while you had the chance.”

“You should know by now that I don’t listen very well. I tend to do the opposite of what everyone tells me. So my answer to your question is. I’ll take my chances.”

He adjusted his position on the bench, his focus on me now almost menacing. “Sophia, you don’t have a clue as to what you are getting into with me.”

“Why don’t you elaborate.” I strolled closer to him, his green eyes narrowing with each step I took.

The lust that covered his face now told me the chivalrous side of him had lost the war within himself.

In the back of my mind, a little warning told me to stop and not be reckless. To hell with that voice. I wanted this man, and for once, I’d do something I was accused of doing.

“Last warning. The second my hands touch you, you’ve made your decision.”

I licked my lips. “What decision is that?”

“To accept my claim. In public and private. That means in and out of the club.”

“So that show in the ballroom before we danced, wasn’t you deciding for me?”

“I conveyed my intentions.”

“I see, and then you walked away.” I let my annoyance show in my tone. “It isn’t me that needs to make a solid decision, Mr. Pierce. You need to figure out where the fuck you stand.”

“I know exactly where I stand, Miss Morelli.” He rose to his feet, his height a towering presence with me only a few steps away.

My skin burned for his touch, and the throbbing deep inside me grew to a painful level.

Holding his heated gaze, I asked, “And where exactly is that?”

“Right here.” He captured my throat in an unyielding hold and moved in until the front of his body brushed against mine. “You belong to me now.”

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