Page 84 of Marrying the Billionaire Single Dad

"Strip, or I’ll do it for you."

"Fuck you."

"Oh, I intend to." I reach for her, she feints to the side, grabs her backpack and races for the door. I pull out my phone and tap the screen. The locks on the door engage with an audible click as she reaches it.

She turns the handle, and the door doesn't open.

She jiggles it, puts her shoulder to it, then straightens, only to kick the door. "Ow," she gasps, then grabs her leg and hops about. Her backpack slips from her shoulder, weighing her down further. "Ouch," she cries out again.

I rush toward her. "Did you hurt yourself?" I reach for her.

"Don’t touch me." She stumbles back and her bag hits the floor with a thump. She tumbles over it, then falls on her arse. "Argh," she gasps out a breath, then clutches at her hurt leg. "This is all your fault," she cries.

I can’t stop the chuckle that rumbles up my chest.

"Don’t you dare laugh at me, you ass."

Me?" I wipe the smile off of my face. "I wouldn’t."

"You would." She rubs at her hurt foot, then stares up at me. "Open the door."

"Nope." I hold out my arm.

She stares at me, then up at my face. "You’re joking," she snarls.

"Am I?" I tilt my head, "Take my hand, or I’ll be forced to pick you up."

“No." She glowers at me.

I stare back at her.

"Fine, whatever." She grabs my hand.

I haul her up to her feet, then tug her so she careens into me.

"Let me go."

I bend my knees, heave her over my shoulder, "Now, where were we?"

28

Julia

"We were... Nowhere." I shake the hair out of my eyes. "You were leaving. No wait, that was me."

"Neither of us is going anywhere." He heads for the bedroom and my stomach trembles; my core clenches. No, no, no, this is not happening. I will not be turned on by him going all hot and dark and caveman on me… Not when he’s done something that has completely shaken me… I mean, paying to fuck me is one thing. Not that that is acceptable, in any way… But hell, if it’s not a transaction, fair and square, something I can catalogue and put into a tidy box.

But his setting up my studio without telling me about it? It’s tantamount to his declaring that he cares for me… Which he doesn’t. No way.

I struggle in his grasp, "Put me down."

"No." He increases his pace.

Oh hell, if he places me down on the bed, if he touches me, kisses me… I’ll be gone. I won't’ be able to resist him, damn it. It’s not him… It’s me, I fear more. I fear the reactions he causes in my body. I fear how I react to him when he holds me, touches me, kisses me… None of it is real. It’s simply my body’s reaction to his very expert skills, something which I need to put an end to right away.

"Let me go, you…you complete reprobate."

I lock my fingers and bring my fist down on his side and kick out at him, at the same time. He slaps my butt and hell, I’d been expecting it, and yet, nothing prepares me for the flash of lust that pierces through me. Bloody hell, I can’t let this happen. I can’t! "Damian, no!" I yell.