Page 30 of Unresolved

I held his dark stare.“That’s just it though, youwon’tbe here.”

His eyes narrowed, then turned speculative.He sighed heavily, as though disbelieving of his decision to give in.“If Ididleave you free, will you give me your word you won’t go anywhere.”

I didn’t flinch, didn’t react at all.“I promise.”

His stare glittered as he considered me.“If you break your promise,” he said in a low, menacing tone, “Icanpromise that you will live to regret your lie.”

I scowled.“I’m.Not.Going.Anywhere.”I jerked my head from his grasp, then brushed an imaginary piece of lint off my blue T-shirt.“There is no need to threaten or blackmail me.I’mnotyour enemy.”

He narrowed his gleaming eyes that appeared far too judgmental for my liking, then nodded toward his cabin.“After you, then.I’m sure you’ll find something to make do with while I’m gone.”

“I’m sure I will,” I conceded, falling into step beside him.I glanced up at him as we stepped through the doorway.Awareness shivered through me.Even in his casual pleated gray pants and a cream polo shirt he was deliciously handsome, the epitome of masculinity.“Please don’t be too long.”

He smirked down at me.“Oh?Are you going to miss me?”

“No,” I spluttered indignantly.“My period can get heavy.”

“Then I’ll be as fast and efficient as possible.”

I headed to his pantry and riffled through it to find an unopened packet of napkins—they would have to do—while he retrieved his car keys from somewhere in the bedroom.

I hurried to the bathroom, not even glancing back to see if he’d gone.I needed to get under the shower and feel clean again.I was undressed and under the hot, streaming spray when the bathroom door opened and Evander stepped inside.

He leaned against the closed door as he regarded me.“Don’t I even get a goodbye?”

I looked over my shoulder at him, trying not to give into a cascade of tremors thanks to his heated eyes drinking me in.It was as if he was memorizing my every curve and line, my perfection along with my defects.I tossed a hunk of wet hair over my shoulder.“Addio.”

His eyes flared, my Italian clearly inciting a primal reaction from him.He drew off his shoes and socks then pulled off his polo shirt.“It’s notAddiojust yet,” he rasped.

I stared at the flex of his abs and his shoulders, at the trail of dark hair that disappeared beneath the waistband of his pants.Then he unzipped them and pulled them down his thighs, giving me an eyeful of his hardening cock.

I swallowed heavily.Of course he was commando.It...expedited things for him.That he’d withheld his base nature when I recalled just how exactly carnal he’d been in the past made me want to rejoice even as I wished I had the willpower to reject him and the pleasure he was about to extract from me.

Then he pushed open the glass door and joined me in the too-small shower, his powerful presence sucking all the oxygen out of my lungs.And yet I was panting when he stepped closer to me from behind, his cock pressing against the small of my back as he pushed my hair aside and kissed my neck.

I gasped at the hot tingles charging through my body.He cupped my breasts, holding their weight in his hands even as he plucked my nipples between his fingers and thumbs until I was dizzy with need.

Then he lifted his head just a little and murmured into my ear, “How badly have you wanted this...wanted me?”

Denial flooded through me and I stepped away from him and almost into the tiled wall when I grated recklessly, “I left you, remember?If you take me now it will be by force.”

His breath hissed out.Then he put an arm around my waist and jerked me back against him.“Your refusal to admit how you really feel is pathetic when your body tells me exactly what you want.”He dropped one arm from my waist and touched between my thighs, opening my outer folds like I was some exotic flower then massaging the bud inside.

I moaned, almost collapsing from the sheer pleasure he induced.It was only his arm locked around me that kept me upright.

His cock jerked against me, his voice rough and husky.“Your body doesn’t lie to me, la mia Gemma.But I won’t take you.Not until you ask.”

I wanted to howl rejection, wanted to sob refusal.If only my body didn’t burn for his possession, for his ownership one more time.

“I-I want you,” I gritted out.

His whole body tensed behind me, the very atmosphere hanging heavy with anticipation.“Say it like you mean it,” he growled.

Did the bastard want me to beg?

My whole body tingled with need.My breath shuddered out.

So be it.

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