Page 24 of Forget Me Not

ChapterNine

ALARIC

“Oh, baby.”I yank the needle from her arm. “I didn’t play you. There are no games when it comes to matters of the heart.”

She stares at me blankly as her thoughts slowly leave her.

My chest expands in excitement, knowing I’m already messing with her emotions.

Rhea stole cash from a lady at the bar tonight. It’s proof that she’s struggling to get by. If I could, I would give her everything I own, right here and now. But that’s not the way this is going to play out. One day, she’ll never have to want for anything. Right now, though, I need her desperation as much as I need air.

Rhea told me she was only passing through town, but I know the truth. She just wants me to think I can’t find her after she robs me blind. The thing is, my eyes are wide open and I can see her very clearly.

My wildcat thinks she’s always one step ahead of everyone, making calculated decisions and executing them flawlessly. Little does she know, I've been running the show from behind the scenes, subtly manipulating her plans so they work in my favor.

Her lashes flutter and her arms go limp. Her head tilts to the left, then back up before falling to the right. She mumbles some words I can’t make out as I drag my fingers through her hair. She won’t remember any of this.

Pressing the button to bring down the window, I stretch my arm out and toss the syringe, then I roll it back up.

“Oh, Rhea,” I mutter as I stroke her soft cheek with my knuckles. “You aren’t going to make this easy on me, are you?” My eyes return to the road, then find her sleepy face again. “That’s okay, baby. You’re worth every second of it.”

The remaining fifteen minutes of the drive are quiet. Just the way I like it. Most people prefer noise to drown out their racing thoughts, while I favor sitting with them. It’s what helps you get ahead. If you’re always thinking, always aware, then no one can outmaneuver you.

Pulling up to the valet at the hotel, Rhea is out cold. Her mouth is agape and her tongue is resting against her lower lip. What I wouldn’t give to slip my cock between those lips. My erection grows knowing soon, I will.

Leaving the car running, I swing open my door and move swiftly as I round the hood to the other side. Before the valet attendant can reach the door, I open it and usher him aside. “I’ve got her. She’s had a little too much to drink,” I tell him. Rhea’s lax body falls into me and I reach across her to unleash the seat belt.

Digging my hands under her body, I scoop one arm under her warm thighs, and the other around her neck as I pull her up in a single swift motion, cradling her delicate body against my chest. Old man, my ass.

Holding her tightly in my arms, I fish out a crisp hundred-dollar bill for the attendant.

Leaving her door ajar for the valet attendant to close, I head toward the revolving doors, taking great caution not to let her head fall. I might have drugged her, but letting her get hurt under my watch will never be part of the plan.

“Good evening, Mr. Banks.” The receptionist's lips curl into a smile that stretches across her face, but her gaze doesn't so much as flicker to Rhea as I carry her in my arms.

Ignoring her greeting, I head to the elevators. Carrying deadweight is tiresome, even for a man of my physique.

I’ve been very short with all the staff here, while they’ve catered to my every need. When you have money, you have to be careful about the people you let get close. So, instead of making polite conversation with people I don’t want to get to know, I pay and tip them well. I’m not egotistical, by any means, but as much as I know Rhea’s worth, I know mine as well.

I happen to come from an affluent bloodline, and my family name is well-known around most parts of the country. Being the generational owner of a Fortune 500 tech company, as well as a shareholder for some of the wealthiest businesses around the world, respect is given without a need to ask for it.

I press the button, and when the elevator doors open, I step inside. The attendant takes us up to my floor, already aware that I’m staying in the presidential suite.

“Have a good night, Mr. Banks.”

I acknowledge him with a nod, a gesture I find to be repetitive on my part, then I disappear through the elevator. Digging into the front pocket of my pants, I pull out my cell phone and hold it over the keypad on the door. The moment the light flashes green, I push it open. With a heavy sigh, I carry Rhea right to the bed. “It won’t always be like this,” I tell her, knowing she can’t hear me.

I take off one of her high heels, then the other, and I drop them to the floor. Standing over her like this, while she’s passed out and unaware, temptation haunts me. I’ve waited so long for this. Eight months that have felt like a lifetime. I gave up my life and killed countless people for this—for her. For us.

When the corners of her eyes twitch, I softly brush my fingertips over her eyelids to keep them closed, knowing it’s the effects of the injection.

Rhea is broke as fuck right now. She’s also pissed at me for spilling her drink on her. Therefore, she was going to come back here with me, we’d probably fuck, then she’d take all my money and leave. Which is fine, she can do just that. But not before I finally get a taste of what I’ve been craving for months.

I’m fully aware that she likely would have fucked me of her own free will; I could see the look she gave me when I got into her personal space, but I could also see the panic. I don’t want her to remember our first time as something done out of desperation. I want her to beg for it, forme.

My fingers comb through her hair, all the way to the ends. She lies there in perfect form, unaware of what’s happening around her. No appreciation for my heart that is growing fonder of her with each passing second. The temptation to kiss every inch of her body haunts me. I’d love more than anything to fuck her pussy raw right here and now. Except, I want to see her eyes staring back at me as she comes around my cock.

“Fuck, Wildcat. You are a force.”

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