Page 6 of With this Ring

He was impossible.

“Since I’m a gentleman…”

What a total and complete lie.

“I’ll offer you the same courtesy I gave pretty boy. You’ve got three seconds to respond.” He waited. “Three.”

She vowed to remain silent.

“Two.”

To keep herself from whimpering with need, she pressed her lips together.

“One.”

True to his word, he released her wrists.

Helplessly, she left her arms in place. “Gregorio.”

He turned toward the door.

Need consumed her.“Gregorio!”

Hand on the lock, he stopped.

“Kiss me?”

He turned to face her. “Now you’ll have to use your manners.”

Sasha squeezed her eyes shut.Do you have to make me beg?

“The words, Petal. Say them. I want to hear them.”

With a gulp, she nodded. “Please. Please kiss me.”

“Nice start.”

Still, the determined bastard didn’t move.

“Now, repeat after me—please, Gregorio, use your hand to bring me off.”

If it weren’t for him, she would never have gone into the personal security field, wouldn’t have had the courage to take the risks that made life worth living.

This moment thundered with danger.

If she gave in and asked for what she needed, would her sister see it as a betrayal?

Yet she lacked the conviction to send him away.

“What will it be, Petal?”

She was powerless to resist the sway he held over her. Softly, she said, “Please, Gregorio, use your hand to bring me off.”

“Very nice.”

His approving purr thrilled her, made the awful words worthwhile.

“Now lift your hem and bunch the dress around your waist.”

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