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"Aurora. Relax, I will never hurt you."

For several seconds she simply studies my face. Then she quietly asks, "Even tonight?"

"What do you mean?"

She swallows. "If I don't want to..." Her voice becomes almost painfully small. "...sleep with you tonight..."

She searches my eyes. "You won't force me?"

For a moment, I'm genuinely speechless. She actually believes I'm capable of that. She thinks so little of me.

An unfamiliar ache settles somewhere in my chest. I slowly withdraw my hand.

"I'm many things, but I am not a rapist. I would never do anything to you that you don’t beg me for. That you don’t want me to do.”

She rolls her eyes. “You trying to act like a good man isn’t going to change my opinion of you.”

I chuckle darkly. “Baby, I've never claimed to be a good man."

She rolls her eyes again.

"Roll your eyes at me one more time."

I suspect too much has happened today for Aurora to keep pretending to be a good girl, or perhaps she senses my indulgence and begins openly provoking me—she rolls her eyes at me again.

“That’s it,” I growl. Before she has a chance to reply, I reach for her.

Both of my hands cup her face, and I pull her toward me. Her eyes widen in surprise as I capture her lips with mine.

Chapter 9

Aurora

Roman’s mouth crashes down on mine, and my whole body lights up like a live wire.

I should fight this. But the moment his lips claim mine, firm, demanding, and so impossibly hot, something inside me gives in.

Just like at the altar, a soft, involuntary sound escapes me as I open for him. His tongue sweeps in, tangling with mine in a deep, possessive dance that makes my head spin. His large hand slides to the back of my neck, holding me exactly where he wants me.

I clutch the front of his shirt, fingers twisting in the fabric. Heat pools low in my belly, spreading fast. Before I know what’s happening, Roman grips my waist and lifts me with effortless strength, pulling me onto his lap so I’m straddling him.

My knees sink into the leather seat on either side of his thighs, my dress bunching up around us.

The kiss grows deeper, hungrier. I don’t even realize I’m grinding against the hard bulge in his pants until he pulls back just enough to murmur against my lips, voice rough with amusement and desire.

“Impatient, huh?”

My eyes fly open. Mortification floods my face as I register what I’ve been doing, desperately rocking against him like I’ve lost all control. One minute I’m telling myself I won't sleep with him, and now I’m dry-humping him.

"No, I'm not."

I try to scramble off his lap, cheeks burning, but his strong hands lock onto my hips, holding me firmly in place.

“Come here,” Roman growls, voice low and rough. “Where do you think you’re going?”

We hold eye contact, the air between us thick and charged. Then he pulls me back in and kisses me again, slower this time, deeper, more sensual.

His mouth moves deliberately against mine, savoring, teasing. His hands slide down my body, from my neck to my waist, then lower to my hips, gripping firmly.