Page 32 of The Billionaire's Christmas Bride

"It's a gated property," he replies.

I turn down my lips and he glares at me. A frisson of something—nervousness, fear, something I can’t quite identify—quivers in my stomach. I lick my lips and his gaze drops there. Those colorless eyes seem to turn into mirrors—cold, hard. He could cut me, and hurt me, rip me apart, and I’d enjoy it all. I gulp, the sound audible. He jerks his chin up, then draws in a breath. "Fuck," he growls, "you owe me."

"What—?

He reaches across me and I shudder, then almost cry out when he straightens. He cuddles the puppy against his chest, "Stay," he growls.

Is he talking to me?Before I can respond, he’s shoved open the door, and stalked toward the house. What the hell is he up to?

He pushes open the door, squats down to lower the puppy to the floor, then pats him. Even now, when he’s angry with me, he can’t resist making sure the puppy is comfortable, huh? The man may disagree, but it’s clear to me that he has a soft spot for the pet… Which, surely, shows that he isn’t all that alphaholish as he makes himself out to be, huh?

He rises to his feet.

Which doesn’t mean I am going to stay out here and wait for him to come back. And what? Finish what he started? The way he’d kissed me earlier… Softly, gently, revealing that part of him I’d sensed under those layers of brutishness… If he did it again, I know I’d give in to him… And hell, if I am going to let that happen. At the very least, I am not going to give in to him that easily.

He turns.

I shove open my car door and race out.

"Hey," his voice follows me.

I pick up speed.

"Stop. Where are you going?"

Good question. If I’d wanted to get away, all I'd have had to do was turn the keys, start the car, and drive away; I'd have had to wait while the gates opened, but I'd have managed to leave. Which I hadn't.

And it's not like I can leave the property, considering I have no way of opening the gates now.

So, what is this? A dash for freedom, to show him that I don’t mean to obey him? Do I want him to chase me? Either way, I’m not going to give in so easily.

"Amelie," his voice whips through the still night… My name from his lips…? Ohmigod! A thrill runs down my spine. Moisture laces my core. I increase my pace.

If he wants me, he has to come and get me.

I pound down the driveway.

"Princess." He’s so close. Adrenaline laces my blood; a giggle catches in my throat.What the hell am I doing? What’s wrong with me? Am I toying with him? With myself? Doesn’t matter.This is one race I plan to win. I plan to... Something—someone—his big arms catch me around my waist. I scream as the ground comes up to meet me. The next second, I am hauled up and around, and against that firm chest. Heat from his body surrounds me, envelops me; my thighs clench; my scalp tingles. A burst of excitement ignites in my veins. "Let me go," I squeak.

"No."

He drops my coat—he'd picked it up from the car?—and yanks me up to my toes, thrusts his face into mine, "Where the hell do you think you are going?"

"Somewhere… Anywhere… To get away from you."

"What if I don’t let you leave?"

"Do you want me to stay?" I jut my chin, daring him.Say it, do it. Just one word… Anything to show you’re as affected with this…chemistry between us.

He looks me up and down, "I don't care either way."

Jerk.My insides twist; anger sputters up my spine. He releases me so suddenly, that I stumble. Then right myself.Goddamn him.

I stand there and watch that snickerdoodle of a man bend to pick my coat.

He straightens and his shoulders once more block my line of sight. I take in how his waist tapers down to meet his powerful thighs. My mouth waters. My fingers itch. I want to reach out and trace the cut abs outlined by his shirt.

His lips kick up. Heat flushes my cheeks. Of course he is well aware of the effect of his nearness on me.