Page 48 of Beautiful Devil

“Why do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Intimidate people?” When I opened my eyes, I was struck by the way he was looking at me. Not as if he was ready to require some horrible form of punishment. Not like he was furious that I’d dared disagree with him in front of a lowly employee. And definitely not because he wanted to devour me.

But because he was curious as to what I was getting at.

“Intimidating people is not my intention. That’s not necessary. I allow my employees to understand their position before they’re required to learn a lesson.”

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter, managing to pull out of his arms. “You never cease to amaze me with the bullshit you can come up with.”

There was the familiar dark, heated expression returning. I was equally surprised when he shoved his hands into his pockets. He was unused to sparring with anyone. “Take a shower, Emily. It’s time we talk.”

His expression of amusement changed, becoming more formal. The mood swings were incomprehensible, making it impossible to know how to handle him. This was another moment where challenging him wasn’t in my best interest.

“Then we will share dinner together,” he added.

“I’m not hungry.”

He tipped his head before wrapping his hand around the back of my neck, kissing my forehead. His grip on my neck increased, the pressure enough I issued a single moan.

“I’m not asking, my sweet. I’m telling you.”

His whispered words should terrify me, but they did just the opposite, pushing another wave of desire into me. I purposely pushed away from him, palming his chest and staring into his eyes. “Fine. Where should I find you?” It was my way of telling him to leave me alone.

Goddamn the way his eyes twinkled in the afternoon light.

“Why not by the pool? It’s a warm day.” As he started to walk away, he stopped, taking his sweet time to turn around. “Do not forget what you promised,mi flor perfecta. You will be punished before our night together is finished.”

Now I was his perfect flower. Perhaps he didn’t think I realized that even perfect creatures could easily be crushed. I also knew that he’d never be finished with me. Not tonight or on any night.

When he walked away, I was floored, uncertain what kind of game he was now playing. As I walked inside the house, I noticed two of the women staring at me as I headed toward the spiral staircase. I was certainly an anomaly to almost everyone.

There was no reason for me to be embarrassed but even as I headed up the stairs, the stain on my cheeks remained much like the blood on my shirt.

And the tarnish that had already formed around my heart.

I moved into the bedroom, closing the door, eager for the limited quiet time.

As I stripped off the bloody clothes, stepping under the blast of hot water, I couldn’t seem to stop shuddering. Every second I expected him to slide into the shower, violating me in yet another incredible way, but I was left peacefully, blissfully alone. I took the time to scrub every inch of my body, trying not only to remove the blood but also his lingering scent.

But the moment I stepped from the shower, his musky aftershave managed to penetrate my nostrils. I glared at the mirror, raking my hand back and forth across the steam, loathing the reflection staring back at me. My God. If I didn’t break free of his connection soon, I’d never be able to rid my mind or my body of the need.

I’d never be able to fully walk away, never seeing him again.

The thought was strange, as if attempting to stay away from him I’d be caught in an endless vacuum.

At that moment, I was forced to realize that what terrified me the most was that my captor had already grasped a portion of my heart.

God help me.

* * *

Thirty minutes later I found him sitting casually by the edge of the pool, a bottle of beer in his hand, a cigar in the other. Seeing him wearing sunglasses and with one leg swung over the arm of the chair, I wasn’t certain I’d found the same man.

Until he removed his shades while still holding his cigar, lifting his angular chin, his eyes swimming with lust. I’d also made a bet that he’d left his choice of clothes on the bed, another method of control.

I was pleasantly surprised to find everything exactly as I’d left it.

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