Page 35 of Arrogant and Merciless

“Since when do you take women to public places that aren’t restaurants?”

“My rules don’t apply to her.”

“What?”

“I took her to my place.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“She was drunk, and I wanted to keep an eye on her.”

“So the two of you didn’t . . .” he concludes, because he knows I’d never screw a woman who wasn’t fully conscious of what she wanted.

“No. I just took care of her.”

“I’m not gonna ask anything else,” he says, but I can see in his expression he has a thousand questions.

“Great, because I don’t have answers yet—and I’m not sure I ever will.”

* * *

I step into the apartment, listening carefully for any sounds. It’s been five hours since I left, before dawn broke.

I could’ve texted her to say I was on my way, but I’m still not used to the idea of checking in with a partner. We’re nothing more than two people who want each other.

The moment I turn the doorknob, though—for the first time in my life that I can remember—I feel anxious.

Did she wait for me like I told her? There’s no guarantee. Nothing about Taylor seems certain.

It’s not even ten in the morning, so there’s a decent chance she’s still asleep.

I head straight for my suite. That’s where I brought her, even though I have five other bedrooms in this apartment.

Why?I ask myself, confused.

Why not? If she’s with me, she’s mine, and I want her close.

I step into the bedroom, see the unmade bed, and it only takes me a second to realize she’s in the bathroom.

I head that way, and for a moment, I stand in the doorway, watching her through the glass shower door.

I recall the first time we met, and how—even though I was furious—my first thought was that I’d never seen a more beautiful woman in my life.

“You’re in my bathroom again.”

She turns toward me, but this time she doesn’t look scared the way she did at my grandmother’s house.

Even so, something’s exactly the same: she doesn’t try to hide. Taylor lets me see all of her.

“You told me to stay,” she says, tilting that lovely chin of hers up.

Without breaking eye contact, I start unbuttoning my shirt. “And will you always do as I say?”

“No, only when it’s in my best interest.” Her eyes wander over my body.

“Invite me in there with you, Taylor.”

“You don’t need an invitation. It’s your bathroom.”

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