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“I want to talk about it now.”
“I know how to count days.”
“Seriously?” I exclaim. “You’re going to rely on the calendar method?”
His answer says it all.
“Why don’t you use condoms?”
“I want to fuck you bare.”
“We can’t, not without protection.”
“Calm down. We’re a long way from worrying over that.” He raises a brow. “Or aren’t we?”
I can’t answer that.
His words are both teasing and challenging. “Shall I remind you again why you’re here?”
“Damian.” It’s a huffed expression of shock. It’s a plea.
“Focus, Lina. What else do you need? Money isn’t an issue.”
“As long as I don’t have access to said money.”
“Yes.”
Just like that. Bluntly. I blink. “I see.”
He gets up and comes around the desk. “It doesn’t have to be like this. I’ll take care of you. It’s my job.”
I pull away when he tries to touch me.
He shoves his hands into his pockets. “You’re the wealthiest woman in the country. Say the word, and I’ll get you whatever you want.”
“I don’t want Jack’s money. You can keep all of it.”
“I didn’t mean his money. His money secured the mining shares. You know that. When it comes to taking care of you, it’s my money that pays.”
“How did you make your money?”
“I made connections in jail. They needed someone to do jobs on the inside, and as it turned out, I was their man.”
“Killing people?”
“Whatever the job required.”
It can only mean one thing. “So, it’s mafia money.”
“Does it matter? Money is money. You can have all you need.”
I look away. “I don’t want your money, either.”
He cups my face, this time not letting me escape the touch. “Don’t make it so hard on yourself.”
Shuddering with anger, I jerk my face away.
He only smiles. “Tell me what else you need, or do I have to drag it out of you?”
I swallow. Yes, it’s hard to grovel, and I hate taking his money, but this is more important than my pride. “I want to go to a gym.”
“Gym?”
“Yes,” I bite out, “gym.” This is part of why I hate asking. It’s having to justify everything, not having the freedom any other human being has to earn and spend money. Besides having been locked up in a room and my food privileges taken away, this is perhaps the cruelest part of being declared mentally incompetent.
“Why?” he asks. “You have a beautiful body.”
“It’s got nothing to do with vanity. I want to get fit.”
“Fit?”
“And healthy.”
He rubs a thumb over his chin, studying me as if he can’t figure me out.
“Forget about it.” I turn for the door. “I’ll go jogging with Russell.”
“Lina.” He grabs my arm. “You can be such a wildcat when you want to be.”
“Let go.”
Of course, he doesn’t. He smooths his palms down my arms, inviting shivers. “Don’t be so feisty. You surprised me, that’s all.”
“By wanting to take care of myself?” I suppose a reputation for being self-destructive doesn’t allow for a need to become fit and strong.
“When you do want to start?”
“Today?”
“Tomorrow. Sorry, I’m tied up all day.”
“Russell can—”
“I’ll take you. Tomorrow.”
I blow a strand of hair from my eyes. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I duck to escape his hold. “I’ll let you get to work.”
A half-smile creeps onto his face. “That’s most considerate of you.”
As I turn, he intercepts me for a second time with one hand on my uninjured hip and the other on my nape. He turns me and slowly drags me closer, his attention focused on my lips. I try to resist, but I’m no match for his strength. With that knowing half-smile, he pulls my body flush to his and presses his lips tenderly to mine before planting a trail of butterfly kisses over the column of my throat. The caresses are soft and confusing. It makes me forget my anger and recall memories of last night. I stumble a little when he releases me, but he’s quick to catch me.
“Have a nice day, Lina.”
When he finally frees me, I flee from his office, bumping into Anne on the landing.
“Sorry,” she says, flushing a little.
“Did you eavesdrop?”
“I couldn’t help but overhear. You guys should really learn to close the doors.”
I would if I could, and Damian is appeasing me without once having said anything about my phobia of being locked in.
“I don’t get you,” Anne says. “Damian will buy you anything your heart desires, and you carry on about not having spending rights.”
“You won’t understand until you’re in my position.”
“All I understand is that you’re one lucky lady.”
I’ll let her think that.
“Mrs. Hart,” Russell says from downstairs. “There’s someone here to see you.”
“Excuse me.” I push past Anne and make my way downstairs to where the landscaper is waiting, but Zane gets there before me.
“Who’s this?” Zane asks, blocking my way.
The landscaper looks between us.
“None of your business, Zane.”
He doesn’t budge. “Dami will want to know.”
“He will. Now move.”
