Page 47 of His Nephew's Ex
Each word lands like a physical blow, peeling away my defenses layer by layer until I’m completely exposed. The pull between us thrums under my skin—relentless and undeniable.
“That was different—”
“Was it?” He’s close enough now that I can smell his cologne, feel the heat radiating from his skin. “Because what I remember is you choosing me. Repeatedly. Even when you knew exactly what kind of man I am.”
“I chose to sleep with you. I didn’t choose to become your property.”
“No?” His smile is sharp. “Then why are you here,stellina? Why didn’t you keep running when you had the chance?”
“Because your men dragged me back!”
“Because you wanted to come back.” He moves closer, backing me against the bookshelf with slow, deliberate steps. “Because despite all your protests about independence and choice, you know exactly where you belong.”
“I belong to myself,” I protest, but the words lack conviction when his proximity is scrambling my thoughts and making my body hum with awareness.
“Do you?” His hands come up to brace against the shelf on either side of my head, caging me with solid muscle and expensive fabric. “Why are you looking at me like you want to either hit me or kiss me?”
“Maybe both,” I admit breathlessly.
“I can work with both.” His voice drops to that whisper that makes my toes curl in my boots. “But first, you’re going to understand something,stellina. You don’t get to risk yourself anymore. You don’t get to sneak out of my protection to prove a point. You don’t get to endanger our child because you’re angry about losing your independence.”
“Our child,” I repeat, and there’s something almost mocking in my tone. “Funny how it becomes ‘ours’ when you want to control my behavior, but it’s ‘mine’ when you’re talking about heirs and bloodlines.”
“It’s ours,” he corrects quietly. “Always. But that means I get a say in how you take care of yourself.”
“You don’t get a say in anything I do until I agree to marry you. Which, for the record, I haven’t.”
“Haven’t you?” His thumb traces the line of my jaw with devastating gentleness. “Because just the fact that you’re here seems like you’re saying yes. Your mouth might not be there yet, but your body definitely is.”
He’s right. My traitorous body is melting against him. Despite my fury, despite my protests about independence, despite every logical reason I should push him away, I’m drawn to him like a moth to flame.
“My body saying yes doesn’t mean my mind agrees.”
“Then convince me,” he murmurs, leaning closer until his breath ghosts across my lips. “Tell me you don’t want me. Tell me you don’t think about that night in your apartment every time I get close. Tell me you’d rather face the threats against you alone again than accept my protection.”
“I—” The protest dies in my throat because we both know I can’t make any of those claims honestly.
“You’ve been testing my patience,stellina.” His other hand moves to my waist, and I can feel the heat of his palm through my shirt. “Sneaking out, putting yourself in danger, fighting me at every turn when we both know how this ends.”
“How does it end?” The question comes out barely audible.
“With you surrendering to what you want.” His mouth hovers inches from mine, close enough that I can feel the electricity crackling between us. “With you admitting that you’re mine, that you’ve been mine since the moment you walked into my office.”
“And if I don’t surrender?”
“Then I’ll keep you right here until you do.” His smile is pure predator—sharp, knowing, absolutely devastating. “But we both know that won’t take very long, don’t we?”
The challenge in his voice, the absolute confidence that he can break down my defenses, should infuriate me. Instead, it sends heat pooling between my thighs and makes something dark and needy unfurl in my chest.
“You’re awfully sure of yourself.”
“I’m sure of us.” He leans closer, until there’s no space left between us, until every inch of my body is aligned with his. “I’m sure that despite all your protests, you want exactly what I’m offering.”
“Which is what, exactly? Marriage to a man who thinks he can order me around like one of his employees?”
“Marriage to a man who will kill anyone who threatens you.” His voice hardens with lethal promise. “Marriage to a man who will give you everything you’ve ever wanted and things you haven’t even dreamed of yet.”
“And all I have to do is give up my freedom.”
