Page 194 of Merciless Desires

His nostrils flared slightly as he considered my words and the final bars of the music drew the waltz to a close.

Finally, he shook his head once. “No, you’re not.”

I withdrew my arms angrily. “Isn’t it up to me to decide?”

A vein on the good side of his face throbbed. “NO,” he thundered. “I’m the one paying. I’m the one who gets to decide if you’re ready or not.”

I was suddenly raging. “Then at least tell me what the criteria is for being ready, since you claim to know so much about me.”

He stepped forward, bringing his steel chest to mine. I had to crane my neck to maintain eye contact. “I already told you.” His voice rumbled with conviction. “You have to want it.”

“I do want it,” I said through gritted teeth.

“No, you don’t. Not yet.”

“Yes. I. Do.”

My hands clenched into fists at my sides. I was incandescent with frustration.

His eyes narrowed. “You’re lying.”

Feeling utterly helpless, I growled and stamped a foot. “Stop telling me what I’m doing and what I’m feeling. For God’s sake, I want to… to sleep with you. Okay? That’s what I’m here for and I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

He lifted his fingers to my jaw and I flinched, then instantly regretted it. Now he suspected I was bluffing. His fingers curled into my skin and he moved my face with surprising gentleness from side to side. “You have to want it.”

“I know,” I whispered. “I do.”

Holding my face still with one hand, he lifted my dress with the other. It happened too fast for me to wonder what he was doing. Then I felt his rough fingers shove inside my pink lace pants. My eyes stretched wide and I jerked my head against his tightening grip. His eyes might have been on mine but his focus was on the space between my thighs. He drove a finger into the shallow of my opening. I knew it was bone dry.

He whipped his hand back and released me with a scowl. “You’re a liar.”

My mouth dropped open and I walked backwards, hugging my arms around myself. After a few seconds, I cleared my throat.

“I can’t just turn it on,” I said, glaring at him. “You have to put some effort in.”

When he didn’t respond, I continued. “I’m no expert but I’m pretty sure it takes more than a quick dinner and dance to make a girl ready for sex. You have to work for it.”

He arched a sceptical brow. “Enlighten me.”

“Make me feel special. Touch me. Kiss me.” My pitch rose with every demand.

His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed. “You want me to kiss you?”

Blood surged into my cheeks and I dropped my gaze to the floor.

Time stopped and all I could hear were ragged breaths that seemed to get louder in the empty, cavernous room. Long agonising seconds passed before he brushed past me and stalked to the door. The moment he left the room I had to pinch the bridge of my nose.

There was no way – no way on God’s earth – I was going to cry for this man.

Chapter Eight

Dax

I stormed back into the main hall and past the central staircase, heading towards the North Tower: my retreat. Anger vibrated through my legs more with each step. What had I expected? Of course she was lying. She was doing whatever it took to get her money and get out of there. She didn’t find me attractive in any way, shape or form. I’d stupidly allowed myself, with each sidelong glance and each spark I felt when we touched, to gather hope. I was a stupid fucking idiot. What normal woman – let alone one with a brain like a shard of glass and looks that could command an army – would ever be interested in someone like me?

I was damaged. Deformed and ugly. A beast.

Sure, I was rich. But as it turned out, that didn’t matter. In fact, my wealth had become my only allure.

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