Page 15 of Bride By Initiation

She glances behind her and tosses me a suggestive glance. "I'm getting ready for bed. What are you doing?"

My mouth goes dry.

Her expression turns stern. She continues, "Oh, you're still in my apartment, even though I've told you to leave. Sorry you didn't get the memo. Let me give it to you again. Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out." She strolls across the room, removing her earrings and putting them in her jewelry box.

I stare at her ass, swallowing hard, and accidentally murmur, "Jesus Christ."

I've seen Zara in bikinis before, but never like this. I've never been alone in her bedroom, pissed off and needing to release some steam more than ever while she's almost naked.

She reaches behind her, unclasps her bra, shimmies out of it, then crosses her arms over her chest. She turns to face me and arches her eyebrows. "Do you mind? It's my bedroom, after all."

My cock pulses against my zipper. I mumble, "Such a fucking brat."

"Are you looking to break our boundary or what?" she questions with a smug expression.

I don't say anything. I'm suddenly tongue-tied, staring at her hand, ready for her to drop it so her bra will fall to the floor.

"Eyes up here, Sean," she practically sings, tearing me out of my trance.

"Just tell me what you know," I roughly get out, trying to remember why I'm here.

"No. Now, get out."

I realize I'm dealing with the ultimate stubborn Zara. And it sucks. When she digs her heels in, there's nothing I can make her do. It's only happened a few times in our lives, but tonight, she's not caving. So I grumble, "I'm coming back tomorrow, and we're talking about this."

She rubs her thumb above her cleavage, sweetly chirping, "Okay. I'll make sure security knows not to let you up."

My gaze wanders, and I huff. "Like you would."

"Test me, Sean," she threatens.

I drag my gaze down her body and then back up, where I stare into her eyes.

Her cheeks blush slightly, but she's still as confident as any woman I've ever laid eyes on. The blood in my veins runs hotter.

Her challenging stare intensifies, as does her smirk.

I can't help myself. My pulse bangs between my ears. I warn, "You're being a bad girl, Zara."

"Oh?" she taunts, arching her eyebrow again.

I lower my voice, cautioning, "Yeah. Don't push me. I will put you over my knees and slap the shit out of your ass until my handprint is emblazoned on your skin for days."

Her lips curve. "Gee, don't tempt me, Sean. It's not fair to tease a girl like that."

I groan inside, trying not to salivate.

She points to the door. In a stern voice, she orders, "Out."

I decide it's best to leave before I do something I can't take back. As I step out of her bedroom, I shake my head and remind her, "Make sure you lock the door after I leave."

"Don't worry, Dad, I will," she sarcastically replies as she follows me to the door.

When I open it, I glance back, tempted once more to stay, to find out anything except what she sounds like when my hand connects with her ass cheek or when she comes.

She stares at me, almost as if she wants me to play out my dirty thoughts, but I decide it's all in my head. I warn, "I'm coming back tomorrow," then I step outside her apartment and shut the door. I ride down to the lobby in the elevator, leave the building, and return to my SUV.

I lower the glass between my driver, Conán, and me, directing, "Drive."

---