HATE LOVE

That was insulting and I sat up abruptly, head spinning.

“I know enough about money,” I said. “More than you think, even if I’m not a billionaire!”

My family was scraping by to put me through college. Of course, there were the merit scholarships and financial aid, but even with all that, it wasn’t enough. My mom didn’t make a huge sum as a hairdresser, so I was already up to my eyeballs in debt. Trust me, I understood the value of money, especially with the tuition bill lying open on my dresser.

But I didn’t want to let it all go in front of this cocky billionaire, so pressing my lips in a tight line, the threats started pouring out.

“You better let me go,” I hissed. “Right now. Untie my hands.”

Instead, Theo signed again, striding over to the refrigerator before retrieving an ice cold bottle of water.

“Here,” he said, handing it to me, massive frame towering. “Drink this, you’ll feel better.”

I took the bottle, none to gratefully, and swigged the water. Man, that hit the spot. My mouth felt like a dry Brillo pad.

But Theo was in his own world.

“I just don’t understand, Mia.” He paused squinting at me. “That’s your name, right?”

I shot him an exasperated expression. “You obviously know my name is Mia, because you found me and kidnapped me right out of my bed!”

Theo put his hands out defensively. “I know. I just wasn’t expecting it to be you.”

“You weren’t expecting it to be me?” I scoffed. “What does that mean? Who were you expecting?”

Theo stood and stalked around the room. “I mean – I didn’t think it was going to be you, the Picto-famous girl.”

He wasn’t making any sense, and my forehead crinkled.

“What difference does that make?”

He grimaced. “Nothing. Forget i

t. Nothing.” He put a hand on his hip. “What pissed you off so badly anyways? Why did you have to break into my site and post all those pics?”

This time it was my turn to goggle at him. Did this guy not get it? Had he not read any of Anonimo’s emails?

“I’m pissed because number one: you are making money off my image without my explicit consent!” I shrieked, going even louder with each word. “And number two: You. Kidnapped. Me!”

Theo ran over to me, grabbing the gag off the table. Clumsily, he tried to shove it back into my mouth.

Goddamn it! I wasn’t going to have that thing back in there, kicking and screaming for real now. On impulse, I tried to bite at the masculine hand coming at me while desperately trying to wriggle away at the same time. Theo’s knee slipped on the couch, toppling us both over. He landed square on me, while simultaneously plunging his thumb into my open mouth.

“Mmmph!” came my choke, trying to spit him out. “Urrrm!”

But there was something oddly arousing about the entire situation. Theo’s gorgeous blue eyes blazed at me intently, that big body still. And suddenly, I registered that this man was just as turned on as I was. His chest rose and fell imperceptibly, the result of short, shallow breaths. Those pupils dilated, staring into my eyes, until they were almost entirely black.

And shamefully, I reacted. We were caught in a tractor beam, two people locked together in hate as well as unstoppable attraction. The thumb in my mouth was deliciously salty, and staring back at him, my tongue slowly circled around his digit. Licking his lips, a soft rumble escaped his mouth.

“Oh shit,” were his only words.

The energy between us soared and crackled in the air around us. Closing my eyes and giving into the moment, I pursed my lips and sucked. Theo took my face with both of his hands and brought his mouth to mine.

Suddenly, we were kissing wildly. Our tongues and lips crashed together in a fevered frenzy. Theo’s hands were all over me as I trembled like a leaf in a strong wind. And suddenly, his mouth was everywhere, covering my throat and collarbone with ravenous kisses.

“Oh!” I cried. “Oh god!”

But resistance was futile, and in fact, I didn’t want to say no. I wanted more with this man because even if he was evil, our attraction was unstoppable. So with a mewl, I pressed myself towards that bulky male form, desperate to get closer.