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  A smile curved over my lips. High praise indeed from this demanding man.

  “You think so?” I whispered, my voice hoarse.

  “So perfect, it frightens me.” His voice was low and deadly serious.

  “Why?”

  Silence fell between us as he lifted himself off me to undo the handcuffs. I felt an instant loss—not only of his warmth, but also of something more I couldn’t name. In the dark, I searched his face. A mask slipped over it and his expression changed to a scowl.

  “Because you make me care.”

  Chapter 2 — Harrison

  I grinned as we pulled into the undercover parking lot at my place. I hadn’t asked her if she was okay going there, but since she was packing up her apartment, and I wanted access to her divine body all night long, I’d driven us straight back to my home. I wasn’t near finished with her, regardless of nearly fucking her to the point of passing out just thirty minutes ago.

  The car smelled of sex and sweat mixed with leather and my appetite for Eva was far from satisfied. This time I wanted her to fuck my face and come on my tongue. The mere thought put a spring into my step in anticipation of the night that lay ahead.

  “Sleep over tonight. I need more of you,” I said, hiding my eyes from her enquiring gaze.

  “Really?” She peered at me from under her long lashes. “That wasn’t enough?”

  “Not by a long shot, baby. That was only the warm-up.”

  “Jesus, Harrison, seems like you want to fuck me into an early grave. I’ve hardly got my breath back and you’re talking about more—”

  I laughed at the shocked expression on her face. She’d have to toughen up if I was going to put her through a few paces tonight. “Only if we die fucking. Wouldn’t that be a great way to go?”

  She shot me an exasperated look. “You’re insatiable. A beast.”

  Grabbing hold of both her hands, I squeezed them, gazing into her eyes. She was right. When it came to her, I couldn’t get enough. Fuck, if I could, I'd crawl under her skin and stay there. The truth—I didn’t want to let her go.

  “Yes. I'm a monster. You should run, Eva.”

  For a long moment she just stared back, her eyes searching mine. Her voice was calm and even when she spoke. “I’m not going anywhere, Harrison.”

  I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. What is she talking about? She should run a fucking mile before my darkness consumes her.

  She reached up and cupped my cheek with her palm. “Nothing you do or say frightens me. Just so you know.” She leaned forward and planted the softest kiss on my lips, taking me by surprise with her tenderness.

  Eva was fucking with my mind. The more I got to know her, the more she confused me.

  I cleared my throat and got out of the SUV, rounding it to open her door. I needed to shake this . . . feeling . . . whatever the fuck it was . . . I got when I was around her. If I stuck to sex only, I’d be fine.

  Feelings—I wasn’t going there. All I knew for certain was that she was mine for fucking. That was enough for me. Maybe I was addicted to her pussy, but that was all.

  I helped her out, my hand possessively resting on the small of her back as we walked toward the elevator.

  “Good evening,” I said to the couple who stood waiting for the elevator to arrive, swearing under my breath that I couldn’t at least claim Eva’s lips on the ride up to take my mind off the uneasiness that had settled in my gut.

  Smiling, the stranger replied, “Yes, it's a good evening indeed.”

  The grey-haired man let his gaze wander over Eva’s body, lingering on her tits for longer than was appropriate. I scowled as Eva smiled sweetly at him, then at his wife, unaware of the turmoil in my gut at the thought of another man ogling her. As soon as the elevator arrived and the doors opened, the woman grabbed her husband’s arm and pulled him into the elevator car, jabbing him in the ribs. The smile slid off his face as they stood in the middle of the small space, their gazes directed at the numbers above the doors. Served the prick right. He had no business staring at my woman.

  We rode up the elevator, Eva and I each standing in a corner, our eyes locked, salacious grins lighting up our faces. The thought that she was naked under her skirt made my heart pound against my chest. It was so fucking sexy.

  Fucking Eva had become my favorite thing to do. I couldn’t get enough of her. Everything else was just filler material for my day. Even work didn’t have its stronghold on me the way it used to. I just wanted to be with her. Every minute of every day.

  Eva messed with my mind in a way I was unaccustomed to. With a mere smile or gesture she had me lusting after her, anticipating everything I wanted to do to her. Like now—standing there, twisting her hands as she tried to control herself, her breasts swollen and her nipples hard against the fabric of her bra, her breathing shallow and her eyes glowing. She licked her lips as her gaze fell on my crotch, the outline of my hard cock visible as it throbbed in my jeans, straining to be set free and fucking her mouth.

  The unadulterated lust in her eyes floored me. I leaned over, closer to her ear. “Hungry for my cock?” I rasped.

  “Hmmm,” she hummed, as her cheeks grew pink. I stared at her wet parted lips and hissed. Fuck, this was torture.

  The car stopped on our floor. “Excuse me,” I barked, grabbing Eva’s hand and pulling her behind me. I turned to see a look of shock on the woman’s face. She’d definitely overheard me. I winked at her as the doors closed. I doubted the poor bastard was getting lucky tonight. I even felt sorry for him, knowing how I was going to fuck the life out of my woman as soon as I got her inside the apartment.

  Pulling Eva by the hand, I rushed toward my front door. I fumbled in my pocket for the key and let out a curse when I couldn’t find it.

  I couldn’t wait a second longer. I needed to taste her now. I pressed her against the wall and took hold of her face in my hands before I leaned in and sucked her bottom lip into my mouth. “Baby,” I groaned as her hand rested on my cock. “You’re making it impossible to unlock the door.”

  She laughed. “Mr. In Control At All Times is having a hard time, huh?”

  I cocked an eyebrow at her, grinning, glad that she was enjoying herself at my expense. “Your level of punishment is rising by the minute. Unless you’re doing it on purpose?”

  We stood at the front door to my apartment, and I dug the key from my pocket.

  “Here, let me do it.” She took the key from my hand and inserted it into the lock, turning it quickly. I rubbed my cock against her ass, pressing hard into her softness.

  “Jesus, you’re a horny boy tonight,” she teased as the door swung open.

  “Yes. For you . . . horny for you.” I panted as I slammed her against the inside wall, my hands on those tits that had been torturing me. I grabbed the ends of her shirt and pulled hard, smiling as tiny buttons scattered over the wooden floor.

  “Harrison,” she grumbled, “that was one of my favorite damn shirts.”

  My lips burned into the soft skin of her neck. “One of mine too, but not for the same reasons as yours,” I mumbled against her velvet skin.

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Because of what’s in it,” I said, as I slipped it off her arms. “You.”

  Her breath hitched as the shirt dropped to the floor. I pushed the cup of her bra down and sucked a nipple into my mouth, not bothering to remove it first. Her fingers twisted in my hair, pulling me closer to her as she moaned loudly.

  “Fuck. You’re enjoying this far too much.” I grabbed her wrists and before she knew it, I’d secured handcuffs around both. “Down. On your knees,” I demanded, pushing her down by her shoulders. She had to pay for torturing me.

  She obeyed without a word, casting her eyes down and waiting for my next order. Her short skirt had ridden up her thighs and exposed most of her lean legs. My heart squeezed in my chest seeing her like this, every dip and curve highlighted from this vantage point.

  “Eva. Look at me,” I com
manded. She kept her head down.

  “Eva,” I repeated, needing to see her eyes. I had no idea why, but it just wasn’t the same if I couldn’t see what she was feeling in those intelligent, expressive eyes. I also knew just how far I could push her simply by looking into those orbs.

  Her head rose slowly, exposing her swanlike neck. But her eyes were closed, her long dark lashes resting on her cheeks, and a small, nearly unperceivable smile twisted the corners of her mouth. I sucked in a breath at her sheer beauty; no matter how much I stared at her face, it blew me away every time.

  Who the fuck was in command here? It was me, right?

  Then why did I feel as if she had all the power?

  I gripped her scalp and tilted her head back even farther. “Look at me, baby,” I said softly, keeping the tone of my voice even.

  Her eyes fluttered open and she found mine. For the first time I couldn’t read her expression. There was something in them bordering on sadness that flickered for a few seconds before she closed them again.

  Fuck. What was that?

  As punishment, I was going to make her suck my cock. I was going to relentlessly fuck her mouth with my dick, taking my time drawing out my pleasure as she made me cum, then watch her swallow every drop. And yet I had an overwhelming urge to hold her tightly to me and comfort her.

  I fell to my knees and took her face in my hands, my callous thumbs brushing her soft cheeks reverently. Her eyes flew open as I leaned in and pulled her in close, kissing her sweet lips with everything I had in me.

  “Baby,” I grunted, overcome by a severe tightness in my chest I didn’t recognize.

  “Harrison,” she whispered, her warm breath skimming over my cheek. It was a moment so sweet it knocked the air right out of me.

  I cleared my throat, regaining my composure. “Set me free,” I ordered, my voice unnaturally loud in the silence of the room. God, I was losing my touch. I was turning soft, and all because of Eva.

  Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but changed her mind. Even though her wrists were bound together, she worked with nimble fingers to undo my belt and pull the zipper down, keeping her eyes trained on my crotch as I kept staring at her face.

  Something had passed between us. Something special. Something that made my heart swell, and beat a million miles an hour.

  She lowered her eyes, refusing to look at me.

  Had I imagined it? No. It crackled in the air between us. Thick. Invisible. Yet oh so fucking tangible.

  Just what in fuck’s name was it, this electricity that set every nerve ending on fire and made my head spin?

  Chapter 3 — Eva

  “I’m running a little late. Sorry, this pregnancy is kicking my ass. I’ve been nauseous for a few days, and I freaking hate it.” Jade sounded tired and not quite like her normal perky self.

  I pinched the phone under my chin as I fastened the top button on my jeans. “Listen, hon, if you’d prefer to go another day, that’s fine with me. Rest and get better.”

  I turned to view my ass in the mirror. Not too bad. These jeans were my favorite, and I wished I’d bought ten pairs when they were on sale because they were just a little worn out. As soon as I found something I really liked, it was usually discontinued, and it drove me crazy.

  Jade laughed. “Oh hell no. I’ve been cooped up for a few days, and I’m dying to get out a little. There’s nothing like shopping to make me forget my own worries and have some fun. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”

  “If you’re sure, that would be awesome. This event Harrison invited me to is important, so I need help finding the perfect dress.”

  While we talked, I brushed my hair and pinched the phone under my chin as I tied it into a ponytail. Since it was my day off work, I was in a relaxed mood, and embraced the casual look instead of the smart suits I usually wore on a weekday.

  “I’m just grateful it isn’t me having to try on evening dresses with this baby bump. But it will be fun helping you find something. Do you have anything in mind?” Since we’d started talking about shopping, Jade was already sounding a lot better.

  I shrugged as I shoved my feet into shoes. “No, not really. I’ll know it’s the right dress when I see it.” Unlike my usual well-organized self, I’d left the dress shopping to the last minute. Something about going to this function with Harrison was bothering me, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

  Jade laughed. “Oh dear, that means I have to wear comfortable shoes, huh?”

  “That sounds like a good idea, if you don’t want blisters. I’m just wearing jeans and flats, so dress any way that you’ll be able to handle a shopping marathon.”

  “Okay. And you are aware I need to eat often? This baby factory drains all my energy.”

  Feeling sorry for her, I chuckled. “I’ve booked a table at your favorite place with all those healthy salads. I hope I don’t become a vegetarian when I get pregnant.” I shuddered at the thought.

  “Hmmm,” Jade hummed. “It’s weird, but I can’t even stand the smell of meat. Poor Ryder. If he wants a steak he has to go out to get one.”

  I laughed at the image in my head of Ryder living on greens. He was a true meat-and-potatoes man, and I could not see him coping well going without his favorite source of protein. I made a mental note to call him next week and invite him for the juiciest steak in LA.

  I loved catching up with him; the man never ceased to amaze me with his stories, which I usually soaked up, letting him do most of the talking. Learning how different his childhood was compared to mine pulled at my heartstrings and helped me understand my half-brother just a little better.

  Jade and I said our goodbyes and ended the call. I applied a dab of perfume and lip-loss before I grabbed my purse to leave.

  As soon as I locked the door behind me, my phone rang again. Thinking it was Jade, wanting to add something to our conversation, or maybe she’d changed her mind, I answered without checking my screen.

  “Hey,” I answered cheerfully as I took the steps down to the garage. That was one way I stayed fit—by avoiding elevators. Unless I was with Harrison. He turned an elevator ride into an adventure.

  I sucked in a breath when it was his voice and not Jade’s I heard. “Hey, gorgeous. You sound chirpy this morning. Must be because my cock kept you happy last night.”

  I snorted. “Harrison, you’re obsessed with your damn cock.” I’d reached the ground floor and made my way to my car, clicking the remote to unlock the door. Images of the night before ran through my head, and I had to squeeze my thighs together to stop the tingle that settled there. How was it possible that he could undo me with a few cocky words alone?

  “Yes, I am. But only because of you. My cock is obsessed with being inside you.” He chuckled, low and sexy. “I bet your panties are damp right now.”

  Squeezing my thighs together wasn’t working, and he knew me well enough to know. “Listen, handsome, you’re a bad, bad cop. I’m on my way out to meet your sister for shopping and lunch. So stop talking dirty.”

  “Mind if I join my two favorite women in the world for lunch?”

  I hadn’t dressed for a date and besides, I wanted to hear Jade’s wedding plans, which I was sure would bore Harrison to death.

  I feigned shock. “What? I thought you were married to your career. It’s a weekday; I thought you’d be crazy busy.” I was only half teasing.

  “I am, but I can always make time to see you. And Jade, of course.” Silence fell between us. “I miss you, Eva. Let me treat my girls to lunch.”

  I swallowed the lump in my throat.

  He misses me even though he saw me last night? Hearing him say sweet things messed with my head. When he was being a typical alpha male, I could deal with him so much easier.

  “Um,” I stalled, “we’re going to be talking wedding stuff and other girly things. And we’re doing vegetarian.” Surely that would scare him off.

  “I’ve had my three eggs and bacon for breakfast. I can do ve
getarian if you can.” Harrison knew I couldn’t resist a challenge.

  Starting the car engine, the phone switched to Bluetooth. “You call Jade and see how she feels about it. If it’s okay with her, she’ll give you the address of where we’re going.” I reversed out of my parking spot and put my foot on the gas pedal, making the wheels squeal over the smooth concrete.

  “You’re making me work for this. That’s what’s so fucking sexy about you, Eva.”

  I couldn’t help the throaty laugh that escaped my lips.

  “Ciao, baby. Surprise me,” I said, as I ended the call and wove into the traffic.

  Chapter 4 — Eva

  Jade and I walked into our fifth boutique store since we’d met in Beverly Hills two hours ago. The place smelled of jasmine and rose and fresh linen. Short sharp clicks of heels on marble tiles brought the smiling shop assistant closer to the entrance and she welcomed us with a warm smile.

  Maybe it was my earlier conversation with Harrison that spurred me on, but I wanted a dress that was so damn sexy he’d have a heart attack when he saw me.

  I wanted to push him to the edge and watch his reaction. Lately he’d shown a more possessive side, but still he never spoke about feelings for me other than those related to sex and how he felt on a physical level.

  The more time I spent with Harrison, the more invested I became. But I knew better than to ask a man outright about his feelings. Men didn’t do emotion, and Harrison had locked his heart up and thrown away the key so long ago that I feared he’d never get to the point where he could admit that he had feelings for me. Lust and a desire to pump his cock into me—those were the kinds of feelings he preferred to talk about.

  “My feet hurt,” Jade said as she eyed the couch by the dressing rooms, and drew me out of my thoughts and back to the present.

  Guilt overtook me that I’d made her walk from one store to the other and still hadn’t purchased anything.

  “How about I sit there and you parade for me?” She pointed to the seat and didn’t even wait for my answer. She crossed the room and sat down, kicking off her shoes and rubbing her baby bump in large circles.