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“It’s not about whether your cousin would hurt you but the friends she’s keeping possibly could.”
“She’s a tough girl as well.”
“In this town, no one is tough enough to fight off the cartel.”
Her deep and ragged breath was an indication she’d already thought about that as well. “Her last name is Darlington. She is different than I remember but she’s not a stupid woman.”
“Stupid doesn’t usually come into play with the people I’m worried she might have gotten involved with. They are cunning, tossing out lures that most people find difficult to resist. Once hooked, the requirements can be lethal. Just be careful. There are some very bad people in this city.”
“So you’ve told me.”
There was such emotion in her words and the way she kept her gaze pinned on the ocean waters fueled anger more than desire. One of the first things I’d do in the morning was to find out everything I could about her cousin. While I knew better than anyone that any arm of a tight family could present problems through the years, I had the distinct feeling Charlotte was in deep with Santiago’s cartel.
If that was the case, Alexandra couldn’t continue living at the condo. I’d find her a more suitable location even if I had to pay for it.
There I went again, playing her hero, which I had no business doing. She slipped her fingers through her hair, her nervous glances in my direction continuing.
“What are we doing here?” she asked.
“I think you know the answer.”
She studied me for a few seconds, taking another sip of her drink. “I don’t want to get hurt.”
“And I don’t intend on hurting you, at least emotionally. Will there be pain involved? Yes. But I know that’s what you want and what you need.”
She couldn’t deny what I was telling her.
“Come here, Alexandra.”
“Why?”
“Because I commanded you to do so.”
She studied her glass for a full ten seconds before obeying, lifting her head as she approached. “Yes, Mr. Stark?”
I took her glass from her hand, placing both drinks on the outside table. Then I cupped her face, rubbing her jaw as I’d done before. Within seconds, tension eased, the bright moon adding a shimmering reflection to her eyes. She was without a doubt the most beautiful woman I’d ever met. “I need to see all of you. Every inch.”
“You have.”
“Not enough.” I lowered my head, kissing the top of her forehead. “Undress.”
She shuddered at my touch, her answer breathless. “Here?”
“Right here.”
I sensed she wanted to glance at the beach, worried someone might see us. “Obey me, Alexandra. When I give you a command, you will comply immediately. Understood?”
“Yes, sir. I mean Master.”
I kept my grip for a few additional seconds before lifting her chin higher. “Have confidence in yourself. You are exquisite.”
Another look of relief crossed her face. No one had ever taken the time to provide encouragement or adoration. That brought out the angry beast in me. She was a precious jewel, a creature to be treasured. I let her go, leaning against the railing as she backed away, still nervous but excitement lingering, the crackle of electric current running strong.
As she pulled her shirt from her jeans, I took a deep breath. Our passion from before had been explosive, so much so that I hadn’t taken the time needed to indulge in her magnificence. Tonight I planned on changing that. She would learn that I could be trusted, which would allow her to trust in herself.
Something she sorely needed.
Very carefully she folded and placed the shirt on a chair, crouching down to untie her tennis shoes. Part of me felt like a bad man, but we both needed this, not only a release but closeness that was rare. When she returned to a standing position, her eyes roamed my chest, dropping lower. Then she dragged her tongue across her lips. My balls immediately tightened, the thought of collaring her in the forefront of my mind.
