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“You enjoyed that,” I say, tracing a finger down her cheek.
A flush stains her face, but she lifts her chin.
“So did you.”
I chuckle at her defiance. She has no idea how tightly she’s wound me.
“We have an agreement,” I remind her. “You will not try to escape again.” She stiffens in my arms, gaze sliding away.
“This was a mistake.”
I catch her chin, forcing her to meet my eyes. “A mistake you will not make again.”
“That’s not what I mean,” she mutters, stiffening against me. “This…what just happened.” She shakes her head. “Let me go, Anton.” She tries to pull away, but I tighten my hold.
“You seem to forget your place here, Scarlett.” I twist a handful of her hair, baring the long line of her throat. “You will do as I say. Do you understand?”
I feel the tremor of panic run through her, the wild beat of her pulse under my lips.
She pushes at my chest. “Why can’t you just leave me alone,” she whimpers.
“Because you continue to defy me,” I growl against her mouth. “You will learn,” I say. “You will learn exactly who is in charge here.”
I kiss her then, a brutal claiming that leaves her breathless. When I release her, she turns her face away, eyes bright with anger and tears she refuses to shed.
Guilt wars with desire, but in the end, desire wins out. I trail a hand down her side, feeling her tremble under my touch. “Look at me, Scarlett.”
She shakes her head, jaw clenched. I cup her breast, rolling the nipple between my fingers until she gasps. “Look at me,” I repeat. Her eyes flash open, meeting mine. I see anger there, and fear, but also desire, a mirror of the hunger raging inside me. “That’s it,” I murmur, sliding a hand between her thighs where I’ve just spilled my seed. I groan at the feel of her immediate response. “There’s something between us…you and I.” My own words surprise me as I say them.
“I don’t…. I’m not…” she protests, even as she arches into my touch with a moan. “There’s nothing,” she husks out.
“Liar,” I hiss, thrusting my fingers inside her once more. She cries out, inner muscles clenching around my fingers. Needing more, still not sated. I move them slowly, teasing her, watching her face as she responds immediately. I bring my fingers to her mouth, making her taste our mingled juices. Her eyes darken, cheeks flushing. “You see?” I ask softly. “You cannot escape this. You cannot escape me.”
Scarlett may hate me, she may wish to escape my grasp, but her body recognizes what it wants right now. If she defies me again, it’ll be because she wants more of this.
Fuck, I hope she defies me.
I release her and she scrambles off the bed, grabbing her discarded clothing and clutching it to her chest like a shield.
“You’re wrong,” she says hoarsely. “This means nothing. I won’t stay here, Anton. I won’t be your prisoner.”
“For three thousand dollars a week, you will be,” I speak softly. “But I’m sure you’ll fuck me for free.” I chuckle. Rage turns her cheeks red, but I don’t care. There’s truth in my words.
“We’ll see about that,” she mutters, stalking to the door, her every movement radiating fury and pride. I watch her, unable to tear my gaze away from the tantalizing sway of her hips. Even in her anger, she’s captivating.
“Remember, Scarlett,” I say, my voice low and dangerous. “If you try to leave again, I won’t be so gentle with you next time.”
She pauses at the threshold, her hand gripping the doorknob tightly. She doesn’t look back, but I can feel the tension in her body. “You don’t scare me, Anton. Don’t mistake compliance for submission.”
With those final words, she slips out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I’m left torn between the desire to chase after her and the need to maintain control. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath to steady myself.
I have to keep her here. To protect Nikolai. To protect our safety.
That’s what I keep telling myself.
And it’s true, goddammit. I’m sure it is.
Chapter 18
