Page 149 of The Billionaire's Baby

"So, it started out that way, though?"

I fold my arms across my chest. I am not going to lie to her. Not now; not ever again. From now on, I need to be upfront with her if…there is any hope of my winning her over.

"Yes." I hold her gaze. "Yes, it did play a factor in my asking you to accompany me to see my family, but not only. From the first time I saw you, I was attracted to you, you know that."

"What I know," she twirls a lock of her hair around her finger, "is that, since you first saw me, you’ve been manipulating my life."

"And I told you, that’s who I am. I need to be in control, Sparks. You understand that, don’t you?"

"No," she shakes her head, "no, I don’t. And what you did was not just about control… It was—"

"Over the top?"

"Underhanded," she snarls.

"Passionate?"

"Calculating." She firms her lips.

"Intense?"

"Conniving." Her chest rises and falls.

"See? That is where we disagree." I lower my knees, so I am at eye-level with her. "What you think of as being deceitful is what I term as my killer instinct. It’s going that extra inch to ensure that I get what I want. And what I want is you, Sparks."

"Well, you don’t have me."

"I will have you, make no mistake about that."

"See,that’swhere we disagree." She narrows her gaze. "Holding too tightly brings nothing but pain. Surrender is freedom."

"That’s what I’ve been telling you, babe." I straighten, "Surrender to me, and enjoy what only I can give you."

"And what is that?" she says in a low voice. "Allowing you to pleasure my body while you don’t have any idea what’s going on in my head?"

"Ah, nowthat’swhere we disagree." I allow my lips to kick up at the sides. "There is no pleasure without pain, no gain without torment, no giving in until your mind and body are in sync. And that’s what I specialize in."

"I am not a toy, you…you… Wanker."

"Don’t talk to me like that," I snap.

"Oh, but I can, and I will. In fact, I am going to make sure you’re going to listen to every word I say."

"Is that right?"

She nods, "Read my lips, Arpad Beauchamp. You’ve fired the opening round; the next move is mine. I am going to do what I think is right for me, and you will have no choice but to watch."

49

Karina

"How dare he follow me, and after he promised he’d step back and let me live my life?" I pace back and forth in the living room of my new apartment. What is happening to me? A month ago, my life was where I wanted it to be, business had been going well and I had been all set and ready to have a baby, and now… Now it’s falling apart, and all because of that jackass.

"Are you sure he was following you?" Isla chews on her lower lip. "Maybe it really was a coincidence?"

"Right," I toss my hair over my shoulder, "and everyone who tries to meditate is able to calm their mind."

"Whoa, lady." Isla stares at me. "That’s some deep shit you’re coming up with."