The Dare Collection April 2019. Nicola Marsh

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СКАЧАТЬ on what to say. Then her mouth firmed. ‘Okay, the truth is that I was hoping for some revenge on Dad. You know what he’s been using me for, a trophy for his friends to build alliances. And he doesn’t care how I feel about it. And I’m pissed off, Ajax. When I lose my virginity, I want it to be with someone who’s my choice, not his. Someone I’m attracted to.’ She kept her gaze on mine as she turned her cheek into my palm, nuzzling into it like a little cat. ‘Someone like you.’

      There was determination in those green eyes of hers. A hint of the strength that I’d seen when I’d first come up behind her in the bathroom at the ball. This woman wasn’t only wide-eyed questions and restless energy. She was more complex than that, which was both fascinating and intensely sexy at the same time.

      ‘I’m your father’s enemy, though,’ I murmured. ‘He’s not going to like it.’

      ‘I know. That’s kind of the whole point. That’s what makes it perfect.’

      Revenge. Hell, that was a concept I could relate to.

      I kept my hand where it was, against her cheek. ‘But your virginity is vital to my plan working, remember?’

      Disappointment flashed across her expressive face. ‘In that case, you’d better let me go.’

      I didn’t want to. She could have her revenge, couldn’t she? And maybe I could get a little something for myself too. Such as her, all silky and strokeable beneath me.

       It’s a slippery slope. You know this.

      Fuck, I did know. It was the tiny slips that led to greater ones. Small actions that didn’t seem like massive deals, that eventually brought you down. That’s how I’d finally managed to bring my father down, after all.

      And if I took Imogen, if I got rid of the only thing I could use against White, what would I have left?

      The only other language he understood was violence and I could not go down that road again.

      The disappointment in Imogen’s eyes was loud and clear. But there was also something else under that, something that hooked into my chest and twisted hard.

      ‘What?’ I asked roughly, my hand still against her cheek, even though I knew better than to keep it there. ‘Don’t look at me like that.’

      ‘You’re the only one.’ Her voice was hoarse. ‘You’re the only one who’s ever made me feel like this.’

      Ah, Christ. What was she doing saying shit like that to me? ‘I’m not special, Imogen. How many men have you even met?’

      ‘Enough.’ She lifted her hand and put it over mine, holding my palm to her warm skin. ‘Enough to know it’s you, Ajax. It’s all you.’

      The sensation in my chest twisted even tighter. ‘I can’t.’

      ‘Then let me go.’ Her hand dropped away.

      Yes, I should let her go. I should.

      And yet there was a part of me that refused. A part that was sick of having to sacrifice everything I wanted all the damn time. After everything I’d done so far for my brothers and my city, wasn’t I fucking owed something for myself?

       You can’t have it and you know that.

      ‘I’m not any girl’s first time.’ My voice had roughened further, turning dark and gritty, and I didn’t even know why I was saying it when I wasn’t going to be doing anything with her. ‘Not if you’re after sweet and nice.’

      ‘Who said I wanted sweet and nice?’ Her gaze searched mine. ‘What if I wanted...rough? And kind of dirty?’

      As if she even knew what that meant. Christ, why was I standing here? Why was I still touching her?

      ‘Do you?’ I asked, as if I was going to go through with it, throwing away the only leverage I had.

      ‘I’ve watched a few videos.’ She nuzzled against my palm again and this time the edge of her teeth grazed the base of my thumb. Then she bit me gently, watching my reaction with undisguised interest.

      I felt that small nip like she had her teeth against the head of my dick, short, sharp and electric. ‘A few videos don’t mean shit, little virgin,’ I growled, angry at myself that I couldn’t seem to do what I should and let her go. ‘If you haven’t done it, you don’t know what it means.’

      Her cheeks flushed, but determination glowed in her bright eyes. ‘Why don’t you show me then?’

       Step away from her.

      ‘Imogen...’

      ‘Is that a yes?’

      The smell of roses was laced through with the scent of her arousal, the heat of her body so close, bleeding into mine. I’d got my housekeeper to get her some clothes the night I’d kidnapped her and clearly she’d helped herself to them, wearing a green T-shirt and grey yoga pants. When she sucked in a breath the fabric stretched tight across her perfect little tits, her nipples pressing hard against the cotton.

       You’re going to do this, aren’t you?

      I’d had to put aside all the things I’d truly wanted. A home. A woman I loved and who loved me. A family that wasn’t rotten to the core.

      I’d accepted that those things weren’t for men like me. Not when association with me would turn them into targets for my enemies. I couldn’t allow anyone to take that risk, nor could I allow myself any vulnerabilities.

      I couldn’t allow myself to slip down the slope that would lead me back to my father and all I’d done in his name.

      But...this girl wanted me. I was her choice. And the way she looked at me, like I was a dream come true...

       You’ll put everything at risk just to fuck her?

      I could make it work. Doctors’ certificates could be faked. And if I could bring down Augustus King, then surely one afternoon with a beautiful woman wouldn’t put anything at risk.

      Somehow my thumb was brushing lightly over her cushiony lower lip, then easing into her mouth. The heat of her lips closing around my skin made my breath catch.

      Green fire glittered in her eyes. She bit me again.

      Electricity arced directly to my aching cock and it was all I could do not to slam her against the door, rip those goddamn yoga pants off her and sink straight into her hot little pussy.

      ‘A couple of hours,’ I growled, making a decision that I knew I’d regret but making it anyway. ‘That’s all I can give you.’

      She nodded frantically, her breathing turning ragged.

      ‘Good. Now listen, this is important.’ I leaned down a fraction more, looking deep into her eyes, watching the flames in them leap higher. ‘You need to tell me if anything doesn’t feel good or if you don’t like it. And especially if something is—’

      Imogen СКАЧАТЬ