The King (Gentlemen Rogues 2)

LACHLAN

I wanted her.

From the moment I’d seen her outside the cottage in the dark, I'd wanted her. From every moment we fought, to hearing her laugh, or seeing her smile when I actually got something right in training, I'd wanted her. Everything about her determination and grit, and God, that fucking smile. The way she just turned it on me and something deep inside would ache, as if I knew that smile. As if it called to me. I wanted her. But could we do this?

If you’re smart, you’ll take her any way you can get her.

When we were back in the real world, there would be rules that said I couldn’t touch her. I was only getting one shot at this. One chance to make her mine, even if it was only for the moment.

We approached the door, and I lay my hand on her lower back. She turned to me with derision. “I don't know what your problem is, Lock, I didn't agree to anything."

Confused I searched her gaze. She lifted a brow as if trying to get me to catch on. Oh, we were starting.

“I saw how you were looking at him."

“I wasn't looking at him in any way. He was looking at me. Jesus Christ, I was minding my business. It's not my fault that he made an indecent proposal. How are you blaming that on me?"

“You are my wife. Mine." I ground out. “My pussy.” I palmed her arse and pulled her to me. “My arse.”

Her laugh was melodic and quick. God, I love that laugh. “You are out of your mind if you think that I’m going to let that fly. Let's be really clear; I need someone who's confident. You know how I feel about you. I fucking want you."

To hear her utter those words was like a shot to the solar plexus. I knew it wasn't real, but God, to hear her say them. “If you love me, what the fuck were you doing with him on the balcony?"

She stepped past me and used our key to open the door.

Now it was real. There was no backing out of this.

“Graciella brought me there. I'd gone to the loo, and when I found her in the hallway, we got to talking, then she invited me out on the balcony. I didn't have anything to do with it. I didn't know he was going to be there."

“Don’t you lie to me." I forced my voice to an even lower register.

Right in the doorway, she turned in my arms and planted a hand on my chest. “I only want you."

"Someone needs a reminder of who they belong to."

"Oh, yeah? Are you going to remind me?"

She tried to shove away from me, and I grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. "Are you sure about that? Maybe it's him you want."

“You wanker." She shoved at my chest hard. She didn't budge me, because she wasn't using force as much as she would have if she was actually pissed, but if she had, I would have moved a step or two. “This has nothing to do with me. They have some weird kink going on, and it's none of my business. Good for them though, because I have the man I want."

“Do you?"

"Maybe if you would spend more time fucking me instead of worrying about who else wants to fuck me, I wouldn't be entertaining other offers."

I grabbed her then. My hands twitched as she trailed a hand on my chest. “You are playing with fire."

She shrugged. "Am I? I'm dying to see that fire in you."

Her brows lifted ever so slightly, and she was telling me she'd ratchet it up. Fucking hell. With a strong grip on her upper arms, I pushed her ever so slightly into the villa and I used my foot the kick the door shut. “You're spoiling for a fight.”

“If you say so."

With a firm grip on her arms, I backed her up against the wall in the foyer. “You are mine. Say it."

Her eyes flared, and in the moonlight, I could see her pupils dilate.

Oh, shit. That tiny reaction sent blood rushing to my cock, and that fucker strained against my trousers. "Say the words, Saffron."