Page 6 of Ring Me

Chapter 3

The Scene

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TWIRLING, I GAWKEDas Conner entered the room. His eyes had been dark before, but his pupils were so wide they ate up every remnant of wintry blue. His angular jaw gave him a devilish look—and when he smirked, my heart skipped. “Well well,” he chuckled, closing the door behind him. “If it isn't the pretty little daughter of Fernando Milovich.”

“Who are you?” I gasped.

He stalked towards me, his wide frame filling every gap the room had to offer. There was no way around him, and for a second, I truly forgot we were only playing. That was how wicked his energy was. “Conner Wiles. I doubt you've heard of me. Your daddy did his best to keep the darker side of his business deals out of the public eye. Makes it easier for the world to think he isn't scum.”

I drew myself as tall as I could, trying to appear brave. “My father isn't scum. How dare you talk about him like that! Get out of here, before I make you sorry you ever let his name exit your filthy mouth.”

“Oh, sweet lamb, before I'm done with you, you'll see exactly how filthy my mouth can be.”

His cruel sneer sent a thrill up my spine. I held my head high. “What do you want?”

“Nothing you'll give freely.”

My eyes darted to my left, where I knew the door was hidden behind him. “Money? If it's money, just take me to an ATM.”

He advanced, his hands hanging by his hips, fingers curled, forearms flexing where his shirt exposed them. Conner was preparing to grab me. Flooding with excitement, I burst forward, trying to duck around him and make an escape.

“Tsk,” he cautioned, scooping his arm around my middle. With incredible ease, he pushed me against the wall, his fingers trapping my left shoulder. “Bad girl. I didn't say you could leave.”

My lungs flared over and over. I wasn't afraid, not really, but I was burning up with expectation. Conner was perfect so far. Better than I hoped. But there was still a lot to be done, and we weren't at the ultimate part of the scene that I'd dreamed about many times alone in my bed.

Gazing up at him with wide eyes, I flared my nostrils. “Let me go. Now. Before I ruin your life.”

“You don't get it.” His chuckle was husky. Bending close, he trailed a finger down my cheek. My nipples dug into my thin bra, the cotton dress outlining their firm shapes. He glanced down at my cleavage, then at my parted lips, then into my eyes. “I'm the one who's going to ruin you, Cherry. Tonight, you belong to me.”

He was speaking in character. Intellectually, I knew that. And still... somehow... it felt so real. So earnest. In my soul, I did belong to him tonight.

I tried to push him away; he pressed me back on the wall forcefully, never letting his grin slip. “Listen,” I said, “Whatever my father did has nothing to do with me.”

“I'm here for revenge, sweet lamb. Not to debate responsibility. But if you want to get technical...” His right hand drifted down, scooping up the hem of my dress, rubbing it between his fingers. “Your daddy's greed bought you all your pretty toys. You benefited from his shady business deals. You're not innocent. Though you look the part, which will make this more fun.”

A hot tremble shook me down to my core. I squeezed my thighs together. “What are you going to do to me?”

“Let's find out together.” He wrapped his fingers in my hair, his cheek touching my throat as he breathed in. Conner was smelling me. Our bodies pressed close—he was so warm, so solid. The pleasant scent of oranges made me dizzy.

His fingers twisted in my dress, hiking it to my hip. “Stop,” I moaned, though I wanted him to keep going.

Conner pulled away until I could see his narrowed eyes. I stared into them, transfixed. “You don't get to boss me around. I'm not one of your dad's goons. The only one who's going to follow any commands is you. Get on the bed.”

I gave my head a sharp shake. “I won't.”

The excitement in his eyes burned brighter. He loved that I was fighting back. “It's going to feel so good when you're eating out of my palm.” He dropped my dress, giving me a push towards the bed. When I resisted, his palm gave my ass a firm pat. “I said go. Now.”

Climbing onto the hotel bed, I buried my hands in the plush, forest green blanket. It was a California King—extra big—and kneeling in the middle made me feel like I was center stage. Conner stood at the foot, watching me like he was deciding what to do next.

Was he hesitating?

“Well?” I asked disdainfully. “Did you want me to go to sleep?”

His eyebrows lifted an inch. “Still so stuck up. It's like you don't believe your life is about to change forever.”

“I'm the heir to a multi-million dollar fortune. You're a nobody. Nothing you do will change who I am.”

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