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Arlington was the type of man who was so privileged and arrogant he would assume if we weren’t who we said we were, we’d expose ourselves. If Swain had been there or if we’d been on his property, I would’ve expected him to be monitoring us, but Arlington was here to indulge himself, and from what I’d seen, the security was more lax than expected. There were a few guards positioned at the gate that led up to the house and one in the foyer. Only a few cameras, not nearly enough to give him a view of the whole property. He must believe himself invincible on his island.
“The room’s clear,” I said.
Marco smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you from the big bad kitties.”
“Do not start.”
“All right. If you aren’t worried about your safety, Susan said we have a few hours before Arlington is back. That very large bed looks like it needs breaking in.”
I shook my head. “I have no intention of sharing the bed with you.”
“We need to practice.”
A shiver ran over me as I saw the heat in his dark eyes, but I didn’t need to mix the uncomfortable feelings I had for him with my nerves about the mission.
“Roberto suggested we use the pool. That’s just as good a way to burn off energy.”
“If you think that, then your partners have been doing you a disservice.”
I blew out a breath. “You know that’s not what I meant.”
“You’re jittery and tense. A swim in your tiny blue bathing suit isn’t going to make that better.”
“I’m not going to wear—”
“Baby, go change into my favorite suit. You know I bought it just for you.” He dropped his voice to a husky murmur and gave me a look that said he was ready to devour me.
I wasn’t ready for this shit, not yet. “I’m not playing this game.”
“If you can’t respond to me in private, how the hell are you going to do it in front of Arlington and his guests?”
“I don’t have to do it here with you. When we’re with them, I won’t have a choice.”
“That’s not good enough. I need to know you can do this. We can’t screw up here.”
“Don’t you think I fucking know that?” I squeezed my hands into fists so he wouldn’t see them shaking.
“Then do what I said.”
“You aren’t in control here.”
“The fuck I’m not. Strip and change, or I’ll do it for you.”
My heart pounded and heat raced through my body. I wanted him to try. He thought he could take me, but he hadn’t seen me really fight. Not yet. “Is that how you’re going to treat me when Arlington and the others return?”
“These aren’t men who accept disobedience. They want their lovers compliant, ready to jump at their command.” He took a step toward me with each statement, and I fought the urge to move back.
I wasn’t afraid of him.
You’re afraid of how much you want him.
“I know you can do this,” Marco said, his tone reassuring rather than his usual rough command.
I licked my lips. I hoped I could, but now that we were here I was afraid fear would paralyze me. “This was a mistake. X should have sent someone else.”
Marco shook his head. “No. You may have a lot of faults, but—”
“Are you trying to make me feel better?”
He ignored me. “You’re dedicated and capable.”
“I thought…”
Marco smiled. “I don’t have to like you to respect that.”
“Just like you don’t have to like me to want to fuck me.”
“Take off your clothes.”
I licked my lips as I stared at him.
“Now.”
I really shouldn’t do this. “I’ll just change in the bathroom. It’s—”
He laid a hand in the center of my chest and shoved me back against the wall.
My breath whooshed out of me at the impact, and he slapped his hands on either side of my head, caging me in.
I could escape if I wanted to, but did I want to? I hated to admit it, but Marco was right. Letting go with him, falling into the role I would play while I was alone with him, alone and safe, would make it easier to remember how to respond to him publicly.
Was I safe, though? Probably not, but Marco wasn’t going to kill me, and letting him fuck me would take my mind off what was to come. But if I gave in now, would I be able to say no next time? Would I even want to? “Why are you doing this?”
“Because you need it.”
“And you don’t?”
He looked me over, and I felt his gaze like a caress. “Need? No. Want? Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re hot as fuck, and making you do what I say pleases me.”
“Fuck. We can’t do this.” I lifted my arms to shove him away, but he caught my wrists, dragged them above my head, and pinned them to the wall.
