So instead of doing what I want, which is to shield her from the world, I say something that will uphold my image. “How can I know if I like her if I haven’t fucked her yet?” I force a malicious grin onto my lips.
The poor girl’s shaking intensifies, and all I want to do is wrap her in my arms and tell her that she doesn’t have to be afraid. That I’ll never let another man fucking hurt her, but I can’t do that. Not right now, at least. Drake’s face lights up, his expression smug as if he is proud of himself for coming up with this grand plan of bringing her to me.
“She is a virgin… but if you don’t like her, I have someone else interested in her. Tony Morris wants her. I can sell her to him and give you the money as soon as I have it.”
Over my dead body.
Unable to stand seeing his meaty fingers on her any longer, I lift my hand and motion for her to come to me. She shakes her head, and strands of thick blonde hair fly, sticking to her tear-stained cheeks.
“Don’t be shy, go to him,” he orders, pushing her in my direction. “He is your new owner now.” I want to slug that fucker for saying such a thing, but that wouldn’t look good for me.
The girl almost falls over her own feet on her way to me, her legs are like a newborn calf’s, wobbly and unsure. She uses her hands in an attempt to shield her most private parts, and I feel the urge to cover her up myself. Not because I don’t want to see her, but because I don’t want anyone else to see her. Especially not this dirtbag or any of my men.
“Come here,” I order, my voice coming out rougher than I want it to. “Sit on my lap, sweets.”
When she doesn’t move, Drake gives her one last shove, and she stumbles forward and into my lap. Two men from the hallway chuckle at her movements, and I have this burning urge to kill everybody in this room, besides her and Nick.
I position her on my leg like she’s a child sitting on Santa’s lap. Then, I suck in a deep breath trying to rein in the rage that’s threatening to bubble over inside of me. I’m overwhelmed with need to protect her, to save her, but is there really any saving her by claiming her as my own?
This sweet scent flutters from her and into my nostrils. It’s flowery like fresh cut roses on a spring day. I inhale it into my lungs, reveling in her scent. It’s the most intoxicating smell I’ve ever come into contact with. Her small bodyweight is hardly anything on my leg, and compared to me, she is a tiny thing.
She wiggles slightly on my leg, probably trying to keep her distance, but instead, her leg brushes against my cock, making my blood rush through my body and into my dick. There is no question about me wanting her, every part of me wants every part of her.
However, I need to know one thing before I accept her.
“How old is she?”
“Just turned eighteen,” Drake answers. Eighteen. She might be an adult, but she is still much younger than me. A sliver of doubt appears in my gut, but before it can take hold, I see Drake looking at the small woman on my lap, and there is no way I’m letting her go back to him.
“Everybody out,” I order gruffly, making the girl on my lap flinch. A couple of the guys in the hall grumble, but Drake just smiles proudly as he walks out of the room, no bullet in his head, yet. Focusing all my attention on the little lamb in my lap, I gently place one hand on her lower back. I start to rub tiny circles with my thumb against her smooth skin, hoping to calm her just a little. I’m not a gentle or kind man, but for her, I will try. I could never find it in my heart to hurt her.
Once we are alone in the room, I drop the I-will-crush-your-soul demeanor and let my features soften. Her eyes are cast to the floor like she is scared of looking at me or something, but I want her eyes on me. I want her to know who is holding her fate.
Slowly, I raise my hand and pinch her chin between two fingers, tilting her face up, so she has nowhere to look but at me.
Up close, she looks even more beautiful, angelic like features, delicate cheekbones that could easily be crushed by my hands, big, blue expressive eyes, and pouty, kissable lips that I want to nibble on. Now that I’m only a few inches away, I can see how dull her eyes are like she is on something. I need to ask Drake what he gave her before he leaves. But first, I have to assure her that she is going to be okay.