Freed (Club Sin 4)

Keeping his gaze perfectly focused on her, he ran his hand up her arm until he cupped her nape. “I need a certain doctor who can make me feel better.”

“We cannot do this here,” she said, though even she heard the weakness in her voice.

His smile wasn’t sweet, it was determined with a sharpshooter’s precision. “I hadn’t planned to do anything, but then I couldn’t stop thinking about you. And you didn’t leave me your telephone number.”

Her knees nearly buckled under fiery need. His touch trailing up her neck made her feel caged in the most enticing way. “You could have called Dmitri to get my number.”

“I did call Dmitri and he told me where you worked.” The side of his mouth arched, his eyes blazing hot. “I decided I didn’t want to simply talk to you.” His fingers tightened ever so slightly on her skin. “I figured a face-to-face visit would be much more enjoyable.” The burning of his touch brought dampness into her panties as he added, “I see that I was right.”

Also so you couldn’t avoid me, his hard stare indicated.

Mary noted the determination in the firm set of his features, and even sensed her mind being freed under his hold. But her heart screamed to stop. She made a vow to Charles. How could she break the promise that only he could possess her soul?

She forcibly stepped back and crossed her arms. “Listen, Elliott, we had an incredible weekend, but that’s all it ever can be. I’m not looking for a play partner. I’m also not looking for a man to date. It was a onetime deal.”

Elliott frowned, darkness washing across his features. “Why don’t you want more? Even now, your body is responding to me.” He closed the distance again with a purposeful step. “Your cheeks are rosy. Lips are parted, nearly begging me to take that mouth.” He dragged a finger along her cheeks. “Your eyes, Mary, they tell me to own you.”

Shutting her eyes, she fought against losing herself in all of what he said. Her body wanted him with a blaze of fire in her soul. But she wasn’t ruled by her body alone. She opened her eyes and took a step back. “You don’t even know me, so I’m not sure how you think you can make that judgment.”

His eyes narrowed. “I know we have incredible chemistry. I’m not asking you for a commitment, or even a date. But I do want to take you on as a submissive, and you’ve made it clear enough that you would like that, too.”

No matter what she felt around Elliott, she had made promises to her Dom. Promises that she couldn’t live with herself if she broke. She lifted her chin. “No.”

Elliott snorted, shaking his head. “I know you’ve been alone for a long time and are still hurting, and I’m sorry for that.” He reached for her hand, taking it gently. “But you deserve to be happy and enjoying your life, Mary.”

His touch was dangerous. It made her forget. That couldn’t happen. She yanked her hand away, coldness lacing her veins. “You are reading me wrong. I have no interest in playing with you again.”

His eyes blazed red-hot. “I believe I already told you that your words are much prettier when you’re speaking the truth.” He gave her a long, measured look. “Do I look like a young and foolish kid?”

She gazed over him and forced herself not to lick her lips. No, he was a powerful, confident man. “Of course, not.”

“I have been married and divorced.” His voice tightened into the stern tone that all Doms had mastered. “I have dated many women. I know what I want, and I want to get to know you. Chemistry. Passion. A connection. This doesn’t come around often.”

“I already told you that I can’t give you what you’re after.” It’s too dangerous to be with you. She knew what this chemistry led to; she had had it once before, an instant power between two people that defied odds. A pull toward each other that couldn’t be explained, nor could it be ignored. A connection that was the perfect recipe for love. “I’m not looking to be involved.”

Elliott stepped in close to her and ran his hands down her arms, bringing forth her shiver. “Since you seem to keep uttering lies to me, why don’t I try to help you get the truth out? Tell me, is it that you don’t believe you can love two men in one lifetime?”

She clenched her teeth, hating how damn perceptive Doms were. “No.”

Leaning down, he tsked in her ear, raising goose bumps on her neck. “When are you going to stop lying to yourself, darlin’?”

God, the way he purred darlin’ nearly sent her to her knees. “I’m not lying to myself.” She forced herself to jerk away from him. “You are simply choosing not to listen to me. I’m finding it very rude. This is my place of employment. You shouldn’t have come here. You can leave now.”

He chuckled, as her words bounced right off him. “Pretty lies coming from an even more beautiful mouth.” He dropped his gaze to hers, hard and unforgiving. “Do you take me for a man who if he found a submissive that awakens so perfectly under his touch and makes him feel things he hasn’t in a long time, he’d let her run?”

She kept her lips shut, avoiding that answer.

Bringing those warm and soulful eyes right to her eye level, he continued. “You know how I feel. You know what I want.” Something hot and possessive flashed in his features, reflecting a Dom pushed to his max. “I have waited to meet a woman like you for years—a woman who makes me, as a Dom, feel alive. I’m not going to piss around and pretend what I feel with you isn’t special, but I’m too damn old to chase after women.”

He leaned away, studied her, then added, “I leave for a personal trip on Saturday.” He reached into his back pocket and then placed a business card in her hand. “If you don’t call me before then, this will be over and I will leave you alone. That choice is yours.”

Before she could catch up with him, his mouth was on hers and he shamelessly took what he wanted. He pressed her right up against the wall and he kissed her as if he was about to strip her clothes and take her right there.

By the time he broke away, he was breathless, and she was wet and gasping. He arched a brow. “Don’t play games. Don’t ignore what you need. Don’t be scared.”

“I’m not—”

He pressed a finger against her mouth. “Please stop.” He cupped her cheek and she fought the urge to lean in to him. “Don’t contact me, if you must. But I simply cannot hear another lie.”