Violent Ends

For the rest of the meal Gideon talked with her about everything. Her likes. Her dislikes. What movies she loved and the books she enjoyed reading. It was nice to just relax in his company. To let the soft music flow around them and, for a couple of hours, pretend they were two ordinary people.

In a way, that was exactly what they were, but it had been so long for her to feel anything.

Once their meal finished, she sat back and resisted the urge to put her hand over her stomach.

“Dessert?”

“I couldn’t eat another thing.”

“Then we’ll take some truffles to go,” Gideon said, talking to the waiter.

When the bill arrived, she tried to pay her fair share, but he wasn’t having any of it.

“No, this is my treat.”

“I don’t mind paying my way.”

“Don’t make me cause a scene, Emma. You won’t like it.” He winked at her, and she felt that thrill travel down her spin.

He’s not mine.

He’s not mine.

“Fine. Fine. I’m sure there is something I can treat you with.”

“I’m sure there is.”

With the check paid, their meal over, Gideon took her hand and led her out toward the car.

He held open her door for her, and she found his gentlemanly ways really appealing.

“I could get used to this,” she said.

“You just might.”

She didn’t know what to say to that, so she kept silent. From a young age she learned not to question things she had no control over.

As she waited for Gideon to climb in, he put the truffles on the back seat with the roses and then they were on their way again.

“Where are we off to?” she asked.

“I was going to take us dancing, but I think a nice light stroll across a beach will do the trick.”

“The beach is a couple hours out,” she said.

“So, do you have anywhere else to be?”

“Nope.”

“Then how about we see the sunrise together? I promise not to burst into flames.”

She laughed. “Please, you’re the furthest thing from a vampire.”

“I know how much you love those things though.”

“You got right into those movies, so don’t even pretend that you didn’t.” He had stayed over once while she’d been watching the Twilight movies. She loved them. Gideon liked to say he didn’t, but he was just as intrigued as she was about how they were going to end.

“I’m not saying a word.”

“They’re awesome, and I know for a fact I’ll be doing another marathon in a few months,” she said.

“Count me in.”

She chuckled.

Damn it. She couldn’t fall for him.

No matter what, she had to keep telling herself that.

****

An hour into the drive, Emma fell asleep. It took all of Gideon’s control not to book them into a hotel.

He didn’t want to rush this. The more time he spent with her, the harder it was to deny these feelings that she inspired. She was part of him. Part of his soul and he’d been denying himself for far too long.

They had all been warned. His father, Maddox, had told him there was no place for control when it came to these kinds of emotions.

He didn’t believe him.

Gideon believed in absolute control. It was the way he’d survived many a tricky situation. He didn’t allow it all to go to his head.

Rubbing at his temple, he smiled as he stared out across the open road.

All he wanted to do was claim her, to let her know without a doubt that she belonged to him. Nothing could keep them apart, unless she never loved him. However, he wouldn’t allow her to ever not love him.

He loved her so much it hurt to be away from her.

Glancing over at her, he reached out and pushed some of her hair out of the way. He didn’t want anything to obstruct his view of her perfect face.

So beautiful.

So amazing.

All his.

Forever.

Soon, he’d marry her.

Have her naked in his bed, legs spread, taking his cock and enjoying it.

His dick hardened at the thought of driving deep inside her virgin body, of taking her. She’d be so perfect for him as well. They were a match. He knew it, and he wasn’t going to let anything come between them.

In the back of his mind, he saw the travel books.

She wanted out.

No matter how many times he tried to think of a way out, he knew it wasn’t possible. Emma could leave. She had the perfect reason to get out of the life, and he’d even help her, but the only problem was him.

He didn’t want out.

Rubbing a hand over his face, he kept on driving.

All he wanted to do was give her the life she wanted, she craved, she deserved, only, he didn’t know what the hell to do.

Not now.

Not ever.

He was royally fucked.

Being a Denton didn’t give him an out.

His position remained in the family for the rest of his life. He had enemies far and wide. He liked to rock the boat, to piss people off, and to make a name for himself.