Page 36 of Ruthless Lord

“Not really.”

“Since you love logistics so much, here’s my proposal. You can make one rule about our relationship. One ironclad rule, which I swear to you on my life I will never break.”

That gets my attention. I consider him for a moment, head tilted to the side. “What makes you think I’d want to do something like that?”

He gives me a cool look. “Basically, everything about you screamsrule follower.”

“God, you really are a prick, you know that?”

“One rule, Charlie. Anything you want.”

“How do I know you’ll actually obey it?”

He smiles at that. “Because I do what I say I’m going to do.”

“Convenient. Real trustworthy.” I look away, back at the chair holding the doors closed. Move it away, walk out of here, return to the agonizingly boring party… “What do you want in exchange?”

I don’t even know why I’m asking. No part of me wants to play his game. I get the feeling that once I start making deals, he’s not going to stop asking for more.

One promise becomes another, until I’ve tangled myself in this vicious man’s web.

I’m not his toy. There’s no way I’ll be his plaything.

But if I can make my life a little bit easier…

“I want to spank you, kiss you, slide my fingers between your thighs, and make you come. Just like I promised earlier.”

Well, shit.

If I had just the slightest bit less self-control, a moan would escape my lips.

I barely manage to swallow it instead.

Stefano stares at me, apparently not joking around. His eyes burn into mine, and I can almost taste the desire crackling in the air. The tension’s terrible, an oppressive weight, one that makes me want to bend.

Down into his lap…

“Any rule I want?” I whisper, heart racing into my throat. What am I doing right now? Am I seriously considering this?

He comes closer. “Anything you want, Charlie.”

Dumb. Stupid. Insane.

“You realize you’re giving me the better deal.”

“We’ll see.”

Knock away the chair.

Run.

“You have ten minutes before people start to worry about me.” My heart hammers right into my throat as a silky thrill glides down between my legs. “Better get started.”

Chapter 11

Charlie

Iremember the way he moved when fighting Big Boss. Stefano looked graceful, brilliant, like he could manipulate his body however he wanted. Enormous, muscular beasts like him aren’t supposed to glide around like a ballerina. They should lope, stomp, smash, and stumble.