Carter
I step back and allow her the freedom to catch her breath. Her grip on my arm tightens and I want to assure her I’m not leaving. I don’t think I can. I don’t think I want to.
Her perfume intoxicates me. It has me wanting to pin her against those goddamn books and fu*k her until she surrenders all that’s holding her hostage.
Once she’s calmed, I offer her a smile and watch her relax in my hold. I need to find out what she’s scared of, and once I know, I can make sure she never feels it again. This woman is going to be a temptation that will bring me to my knees.
When I look at her, I can see into her soul.
It’s dark, ravaged, and pained.
I want to cure her. To see her smile. To show her pleasure.
I’m convinced she’s never known pleasure. And that in itself has me making up my mind. Bennett and I will be her medication. We’ll take whatever monster lurks in the recesses of her mind and banish him for good.
I want to take her fear and give her something I haven’t wanted to give anyone before. Me.
“Why me?” Her question catches me off guard. She lifts her chin and I want to smile at her indignation. She’s strong. Which makes me realize it may have been the only choice she had—to pick up her pieces and keep walking. Even if she did it alone.
“You’re different. I want to know you. There’s something about you that intrigues me, Ella. I enjoy being tempted, enticed, and that’s what you do.”
She turns to me, her gaze darkening. Something haunts her at my words. I want her so much, to take her lips and swallow her moans.
“I could say the same about you, but I don’t do this. I’m not the right woman for you.” Her eyes drop to the floor, and she continues. “I haven’t…” She turns and strokes the spines of the books again and my cock throbs to have her delicate fingers stroking me. “I mean…”
“Ella, stop, don’t think.” Stepping behind her again, I cage her against the bookshelf and lower my mouth against the soft skin that taunts me. Brushing my lips lightly on the curve of her neck, I revel in the shiver of her small frame. “Just feel. Stop fighting. Drop your walls and let me in.” My words whisper over the spot behind her ear and I can see another involuntary tremble she tries to hide by steeling her stance.
“Carter...” My name is a murmur on her lips that’s linked directly to my throbbing erection. If I step forward, she’ll feel every thick, hard inch I have for her, that I want to drive into her—deep and hard—making her chant my fu*king name like a prayer. A chorus of pleasure as she comes apart beneath me.
“Ella, trust me.”
Her body relaxes, and I know she’s scared. Something in her eyes begs me to take it slow. If she pushes me away now, I’ll find another way. Turning her to face me, I stare into her glistening eyes. They’re a deep purple, capturing my attention. Her breathing is erratic. I lean in, my mouth inches from hers. Those rosy lips look good enough to eat.
Using the pad of my thumb, I swipe it slowly over her bottom lip. Perfect teeth peek at me and I want to feel them bite into my shoulder as she unravels. “Carter, please, I—”
“Ask me. Say it.” I’m now aching for her and my commanding tone sends a shiver over her. Fear lights those haunted pools and I frown. Before she can respond, a voice from behind me disturbs us, lifting the tension in the air between us.
“Mr. Hamilton, it’s good to see you again.”
I turn to find the owner of the hotel walking up to us.
“I didn’t think you were here today, Mr. Bishop.” I reach out and shake his hand.
The older man, with graying hair and dark eyes, offers me a smile. It’s fake and I pick up on the anxiety in the room. His eyes flit over to Ella and she tenses beside me. She’s radiating fear like it’s an entity standing beside us.
“I wasn’t, but I had to head back here to welcome a few guests that are checking in today. And you are?” He focuses on Ella again, and before she can respond, I do.
“This is a friend. She’s joining me for dinner this evening, and I thought she’d like to see our new acquisition.” He nods. “Ella, this is Mr. Bishop, the owner of this fine establishment.”
Her hand that reaches to shake his trembles. Even though he doesn’t notice it, I do. Snaking my arm around her waist, I feel her calm considerably, which in turn makes me smile.
“Lovely to meet you, dear. Now, Mr. Hamilton, do you have the paperwork ready?” he questions and I nod happily. This is what we came for, and I can go back to my father and give him the good news.
“All it needs is your signature.”
His face drops into brief disappointment, then lifts into a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Let’s get to it then,” he offers quietly.
We follow him out of the library, the room I’m tempted to rename a national monument after I almost took Ella against those aged bookshelves.
* * *
As I slip into the seat beside her, I watch Ella’s face and all I want to do is see the smile on it again. Since we met the hotel owner she’s disappeared into her shell and I want the flirty, strong woman back.
“Are you all right, Ella?”
She glances at me with a smile that doesn’t compare to the one she gave me in the library. There’s pain in her gaze and I’m so fu*king frustrated all I want to do is rip her fu*king knickers off and fu*k the darkness from her gaze.
“I am, thank you.” Her words are clipped.
Needing to calm her down, I reach for her hand. As soon as my skin comes into contact with hers, heat shoots through me and the blood flowing through my veins ignites. It’s as if she’s my fuel and I’ve lit the match. I want to take her right here in the back of my car. I want to watch her body bow and hear her sweet moans. To savor those whimpers that make my dick hard.
“Do you enjoy lying to me, Ms. Carmel?”
She turns to me with a frown marring her pretty face. I can tell she’s trying hide it, but I’m not blind, or stupid, and she better give me the truth now.
“I’m not lying, and I don’t see how it’s any of your business if I’m upset or not. We work together, Mr. Hamilton, and that’s how I’d like to keep it.”
I love the fire that’s blazing in her eyes. I want to see them peek up at me while she’s swallowing my cock. Everything is about sex. It’s who I am. It’s what I love. The only thing I love. And with this woman, it’s no different.
She’s like a siren, calling to me, and I’m about to crash into her—easily, quickly, and willingly.