I tear my mouth from hers reluctantly, remembering I can’t get lost in this. We have a banquet hall filled with people not far, and they’ll soon be wondering where we disappeared to. Besides, the whole point of this was to prove her wrong, not to lose control and get lost in her.
It’s the Macallan and that dress and those nipples of hers, hard and pointed, tenting the bright silk of her dress. Her lips are natural with a hint of gloss. Chiara loves dark-red lipstick, and it’s a turnoff, so we’ve rarely kissed. She was always far more interested in getting down to business, so it never mattered. I could kiss Ekaterina for days and never get tired of it. She tastes like summer, like golden sunshine and juicy fruit and everything I can’t get enough of.
“Tell me again,” I say roughly.
She blinks, lost in her thoughts, looking dazed, hanging on to me like we’re about to jump out of a plane and go skydiving and she’s terrified of making the leap.
“Tell you what?”
I lean into her, my hold on her tightening incrementally as I lower my head so my lips are almost grazing her ear when I speak. “Tell me that you’re not attracted to me. That your nipples aren’t hard right now and begging to be sucked. That your pussy isn’t soaked for me. Go ahead. I’m waiting.”
She’s quiet for a few heartbeats, and I’m convinced she’s about to concede defeat. I inhale her perfume, my cock still harder than granite against her belly. This woman is going to be my wife, and as much as I don’t want to marry anyone, let alone her, I can’t deny that I want her in my bed. She’s like a drug. Onehit of her isn’t enough. Somehow, I have a feeling I’ll be chasing the dragon long after we’ve gone our separate ways.
But then she flattens her palms on my chest and pushes me away. “It’s bad luck to lie to the groom the day before the wedding, so you’re out of luck.”
My dick is aching to be inside her. It has been ever since I first took her to the cabin, and since then, this raging, furious need for Ekaterina has only gotten worse. She is lying. We both know that. But I’m impressed by the stone-cold way she holds her head high and looks me in the eye when she denies the truth. Tomorrow is another day, and one in which she’ll be my wife.
I stuff my hands in the pockets of my suit jacket to keep from touching her, wishing I had a cigarette. “The only lie you’re telling right now is the one you’re telling yourself.”
Her cheeks are flushed, her eyes glassy. “I meant what I said. I don’t want to have to worry about you sticking your dick in every woman in the city.”
Her opinion of me is low.
But then, I did kidnap her and chain her to a bed not all that long ago.
“Same goes for you,” I tell her sharply, not liking the spark of jealousy that ignites inside me when I think about Lawton again.
She raises a brow, her icy ballerina composure returning. “I don’t have a dick.”
I run a hand across my jaw. “Yeah, but you know who does? Jacob Lawton. I’d hate to have to cut it off and stuff it down his fucking throat until he chokes.”
She goes pale, her shoulders stiffening. “Jacob has nothing to do with this.”
“He’s been to your apartment.”
An incredulous laugh escapes her. “What, are you having me investigated now?”
I shrug. “I need to know what I’m getting in this deal.”
Her nostrils flare, her hands balling into fists at her sides. “Jacob is my friend.”
“With benefits?”
Just the fucking thought of anyone else touching her, kissing her, is enough to make the fury inside me take over. She’s mine. I may not have wanted this marriage, but after tomorrow, she’s going to be my wife. I don’t fucking share.
“You mean like Chiara?” She shakes her head. “Or is she your girlfriend? Whatever she is to you, it’s enough that she went out of her way to point out how close the two of you are.”
Irritation surges. “I’m sorry that happened. It shouldn’t have.”
I’ll be talking with Chiara after this. She needs to know her place.
Something shifts in Ekaterina’s expression, softening. I get the impression she didn’t expect an apology from me.
“Thank you,” she says.
“I’m a reasonable man,” I tell her. “Just don’t get on my bad side.”
“Reasonable men don’t kidnap women they don’t know and hold them against their will in a run-down cabin for two days.”
