Page 22 of Savage Vows

With the second hit, my breath comes faster, harsher.

With each punishing strike, I attempt to pound out the image of Alessia’s wide eyes, her flushed cheeks, her lying mouth. But it’s no use. She’s branded into my mind, a tantalizing enigma that I can’t shake off.

So I keep punching, keep pushing, until every muscle screams and my lungs burn, until the city lights blur into a haze and sweat drips down my face. Still, it’s futile because with every ragged breath, I still taste her on my lips, still feel her melting under my touch.

On and on I go, but I’m still fucking wanting.

Fuck.

I move to the free weights, even though I’ve already exhausted myself.

The worst thing is, I’m thinking about her and not business. I’m distracted—like I was during my whirlwind romance with Clara. That’s the last thing I can afford.

With a quick knock, but not waiting for a response, Nash enters the room.

I drop the weights onto the padded floor.

“Boss.”

I stride past him to the treadmill and hit the start button, adjusting the speed higher, as fast as it will go.

“The plane will be ready at nine a.m.,” Nash informs me.

A later start than I’d like, but it will give us time for breakfast and give Alessia time to get packed.

“Houston?” Nash asks.

I nod, a sharp jerk of my head. “And are you keeping her with you? Or should I handle arrangements to get her home?”

I ball my hands into fists.

A war wages inside me. I know she won’t want to be kept a prisoner on my Tanglewood estate. Yet I don’t trust her to be out of my sight, even if she’ll be under the protection of her father. After all, he lost track of her once.

And I have no idea what the situation is between her and Gabriel Greaves. After all, the idiot had been brave and stupid enough to get in my face once. Will he try it again? “She’ll be staying with me.” The words come out harsher than I intend.

Nash acknowledges the words with a slight dip of his chin. “Your bedroom, boss?”

“No.” My denial is instant, firm. If she stays in my room, I won’t be able to keep my hands off her. And as much as I want her, I need to keep a clear head.

“I’ll let the housekeeping staff know. You asked for an update about her belongings. They arrived about twenty minutes ago.”

I’m satisfied. I’m sure it was tricky. After all, Artemis believed I’d abducted Alessia. Which, technically, I had. Still, in England, Cederic’s name opens many doors. I’m sure I’ll be billed for his services. But Alessia is worth any cost.

“And have a room set up for her art.” I have no idea what that means, but Nash will figure it out.

“Anything else tonight?”

“Get some rest.” He’s been at my side since we traveled to Las Vegas. I drive myself ruthlessly, but not everyone has my stamina. Alessia’s words echo through my mind. “Are you superhuman?”At some point, she’ll be mine, and she will discover the answer to that question.

“Let me know if you need anything.”

As Nash leaves, I turn up the speed on the treadmill, my feet pounding against the belt in a rhythm that matches the chaos in my mind. Sweat runs down my back and the lights outside the house blur into a haze, and still I can’t outpace the thoughts of Alessia that consume me.

She’s under my skin, in my blood, quickly becoming an obsession.

I run faster, harder, until my muscles scream and my lungs burn, all while the image of her wide eyes and lying mouth taunts me, daring me to claim what I already know is mine.

After another ten brutal minutes, I turn down the pace slightly, then a little more before hitting the stop button. The absence of sound echoes around me.