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“Can’t? Or you don’t want to?”
She tipped back her head. The amber-gold fire in the depths of her eyes consumed her. “You need a wife.”
“You like the way I command you.” He captured her shoulders.
“I’m not a submissive.”
“Are you not?”
Though she shifted, she didn’t pull away.
“Did you masturbate today?”
She kept silent. But he outwaited her. Because she couldn’t take the silence, she said, “That’s an inappropriate question.”
“Were you tempted?”
She glanced at the door, afraid Barbara would return.
“Answer me, please.”
“No. I didn’t masturbate. And I was tempted.”
“Why didn’t you?”
Damn him. He knew. He fucking knew.
He released one of her shoulders, then skimmed the shell of her ear. “Because you were trying to please me. And you did. You’re perfect for me, Hope.”
“I’m not. Your future is on the line here. You need a wife, not an affair.”
“Remind me of the attributes I find important.”
“What game are you playing?”
“Indulge me.”
“Someone who kayaks.” Which was not her. “And rides mountain bikes.”
“Go on.”
“Smart,” she said.
“I prefer brilliant,” he corrected.
“Independent.”
“Keep going.”
She desperately thought through his list. “Impeccable background.”
“Not on my list.”
“Blonde.”
“My mother and sister said that. No doubt because Emma was a blonde.” Seeing her frown, he explained, “She was my college sweetheart. Gold digger.”
“You like women who are”—she searched for the words—“less curvy.”
“That, my sweet Hope, is complete bullshit. I appreciate women who are athletic, who are thin, who are voluptuous. You had my cock up inside your hot cunt. Tell me I prefer someone else.”
She gasped at his crudeness.
“All day, I’ve thought about spanking your ass,” he went on, either not noticing or not caring that he’d spun her world off its axis. “Thoughts of you interfered with my work…tying you down, fucking you, putting a collar on you, calling you mine, forcing you to your knees when I meet you at home.”
Each of his words seared an unforgettable picture on her imagination.
“I want to wrap my tie around your wrists and pin you down. You want that too.”
“No.” She’d responded too fast, the word a breathless rush. Trying again, she added, “I don’t.”
“You turn pink when you’re not being honest.” With his index finger, he swept an arc just above her cheekbone. He leaned closer, brushed her lips, and she tasted champagne. “Lie all you want. I enjoy punishing your bad behavior, and I’m keeping a list of your offenses.”
Hope brought a hand up between them and placed it on his chest in a futile attempt to keep distance between them. It wasn’t him she was fighting. It was herself.
“Did you consider yourself as one of my choices?”
Maybe once, in the darkest, most private places of her imagination, had she allowed that thought to take flight… “No.”
“Another lie.” He leaned toward her, just a little more, stealing her oxygen. He would back off if she used a safe word. Cursing her own weak resolve, she didn’t use it.
“Marry me, sweet Hope. Be my submissive. Be my bride. Be my partner.”
“What?” She shook her head. His suggestion was ridiculous. Absurd. Impossible. So tempting that she wished there was a way to accept.
“I need a wife, and you have all the C’s. Chemistry.” He kissed her. Deep. Hard. Persuasively. “Tell me yes,” he demanded after he’d left her panting and with bruised lips.
She shook her head. A thousand times no, for a million reasons. “No.”
“I’m persistent when I decide what I want.” A determined glint made his eyes glacial, and an answering shiver raced down her spine. “I want you, and your refusal is the starting point for our negotiation.”
“Chemistry is only one of the C’s.” She was learning how potent it could be. If chemistry guaranteed a successful relationship, she’d have said yes. “There’s also commitment. You’ve been clear that you don’t want to get married.”
