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“Don’t be a brat. It’s not like you,”he growled.
“No? Maybe I just haven’t had the chance to show that side yet,”I said.
His fingers flexed around my throat, but my defiance didn’t simmer. I set my feet and glared up at him. His glare was hot down on my face.
“Maybe. If that’s true, I guess we have something to work on,”he said.
“Good luck,”I shot back.
Before I could take in a breath, Gideon’s mouth slammed down on mine. He used his hand around my throat to angle my chin up so he could deepen the kiss however he wanted, controlling my response. His free hand gripped my ass throughthe thin material of the dress I chose for work. When that wasn’t enough, he pulled up the material until he could grab my bare flesh.
I fought back with my mouth, nipping at him, trying to block his entry to me, fighting for the control I thought I was losing. My hands came up, and I pulled his hair that was still down loose. The growl that came from his throat was menacing, but sent heat directly to my core. He pushed a thigh between my legs, rubbing it against my heat.
The moan that came from my mouth caused Gideon to pull back with a satisfied grin on his face.
“I’d fuck you against this door right now, if I thought you wouldn’t be pissed about being late for work,”he said.
I just looked up at him, the anger leaving my stance. Instead, I melted against him, using my arms around his neck to pull myself closer, until he released my throat and circled my waist with his big arms. He lifted me off my feet, so my entire body was pressed against his, with his face buried in my neck.
“You’re mine, stellina. I’m not trying to control you. But I protect what is mine,”he said into my skin.
I just nodded. I couldn’t trust my voice. The tremor that ran through my body to hear him claim me was more than just physical. It touched my heart in a way I needed after the incident with Aiden, reminding me that not all the Knights were the same. And the three of them cared for me deeply.
When he put me down, I let my hands slide from his shoulders, down his broad chest, digging my finger tips in just slightly. Another quiet growl came from his lips and I looked up to find him watching me, his eyes hot with hunger.
“We can continue this later, big guy,”I said with a smile.
I tugged on his beard softly and he kissed me once more before stepping back and letting me get straightened out for work. He stood at the open door as I got into the town car withFrank and I turned to watch him disappear from view when we got to the gate.
Flopping back in the seat, I sighed and tried to straighten my thoughts so I could get ready for the day ahead. I knew my face looked like I had been making out, because Gideon’s beard always rubbed my skin a bit red. I glanced in a pocket mirror and had to smile, but also hoped the color calmed down by the time I got to the office.
Work was a whirlwind all morning. The stuff I hadn’t finished the night before got piled up with additional tasks. When lunch rolled around, I was running from my office, not willing to miss my Muay Thai lesson. Frank had to drive faster than usual, because I was running late. My mind was all over the place between work and Aiden. I realized I hadn’t even worried about Lyle, because I was so wrapped up in everything else.
In class, I was paired up with a man about the same height as me, but much bulkier. We were practicing kicks and blocks. My mind was all over the place, something I typically was able to control during lessons. I was kicking first and was feeling frustrated that my kicks weren’t looking as polished as they usually do. Seeming to notice, the instructor wandered to our pair to watch, which only made me feel more off.
When we switched, I bounced lightly on my toes. I blocked the first two kicks, but the third slid in and was harder than I expected. I fell to the ground, the wind knocked out of me. My partner came to my side quickly, apologizing that he hadn’t meant to actually land the kick. The instructor motioned him toward a bag before leaning down over me.
“You’re distracted,”he said simply.
I just nodded, knowing I had no excuse for missing the block.
“You need to come in here, clear minded. Or injuries happen, Brooklyn.”
My ribs ached where my partner’s shin had connected. He apologized profusely at the end of class as well, and I just smiled and shrugged it off. In the locker room, as I quickly showered and put myself back together, I cursed the person really at fault, Aiden Knight.
Chapter
Nine
Brooklyn
The squeal Ashlet loose when I entered the restaurant for dinner was louder than necessary and caught the attention of other patrons. I cringed, but made my way quickly to our table and hugged my best friend tightly. Frank followed, requesting a small table nearby.
“Hi Frank,”Ash said, waggling her fingers at him.
The man actually blushed as he acknowledged her, but then looked away. I couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out. I never saw Frank off his game, except when Ash flirted with him. I tried to see him through Ash’s eyes and I could see the appeal. He wasn’t a bad-looking man, his build filling out his black suits in the right ways, slightly graying hair at his temples. It was his smile that really did Ash in, though, which is why she flirted, just to get him to flash her a smile.
I sat down and glanced at the menu, but since this was one of our regular spots, I already knew what I would be eating. Ash had already ordered drinks, and I sipped before smiling across the table at her.
