Page 52 of The Billionaire's Secret

"Admit it. You’re secretly looking forward to what I am going to do to you."

"Yeah, sure, I spend all my days and nights wondering only about that."

"I knew it."

She jerks her head around to stare at me, "Do you believe everything that feeds your ego?"

"Always."

Her gaze widens, "It’s useless having a conversation with you."

I prowl toward her, stopping so close to her that my shoes bump her ballet pumps. "Poor Victoria, always so in control, always knows her mind and what she wants…. Or so she thinks."

She tips her head back, all the way back, "I don’t think, I know."

"What you are, is too damn uptight."

She grits her teeth.

"See, that’s what I mean." I whisper my knuckles over her jaw and her breath hitches. "You’re too focused on containing all of that passion inside of you. You think you want to direct the course of your actions, when all along, you’ve been waiting for someone to come along who can force you to relinquish control."

"And I suppose you think that someone is you?"

"I don’t think so." I drop my head until my lips are poised above hers. "I know so." I close my mouth over hers.

14

Victoria

Step away, turn away.Break this stupid sham of an arrangement or whatever the hell it is and run the hell away from him. His lips meet mine, fuse, clasp. I will not give in, will not open to him. He swipes his tongue across my mouth and goosebumps flare on my skin. He tilts his head, nibbles on my lower lip. Heat flashes low in my belly. The heat from his body swoops around me, curls into me, draws me closer, closer. He opens his mouth, sucking on mine, asking, demanding, insisting… A groan bleeds from me. I part my lips and he deepens the kiss. He simply takes. His tongue tangles with mine; he drinks from me. Fills my senses with his dark edgy scent, the hardness of his body a shield against the world. The dominance of his posture pushes down on my shoulders, holds me in place. A growl rumbles up his chest, and my nipples pebble into painful tips. My sex clenches; my toes curl. I raise my hands to his shoulders, dig my fingertips into those corded muscles—seeking, wanting. He tears his mouth from mine and steps back. Cool air assails my face, the flushed skin of my neck.

"So, I was right."

I lower my hands to my side, blink, sway. "What do you mean?"

"Your control will be mine, Victoria, " He brushes past me and I shake my head to clear it. By the time I turn around, he’s striding away and toward the elevator. He stabs the button and the doors glide open. Of course, even the cage doors would obey him.

But I won’t. Not if it’s the last thing I do.

He steps inside, then turns, "Coming?"

As I approach him, the doors slide toward each other.

"What the hell?" My jaw drops open.

He jerks his chin up, "See you on the third floor. Don’t keep me waiting."

The doors close, leaving me behind.Asshole shut the escalator doors in my face? I can’t even… How dare he?Anger pulses in my veins and adrenaline laces my blood. I curl my fingers into fists… He did it. Purposely. To rile me. To get under my skin. I will not let him unnerve me. Will not allow him to break through the barriers I’ve put up against the world. Self-preservation. Holding onto what is mine. I won’t let him in. Will never allow him to see the real me.

Oh, two can play this game. He can push. And I can pretend…to give in to him. Enough to get what I want from him: Nina's freedom, and mine. And a little bit more. A piece of myself that only belongs to me. That I’ll never share with him. Yes, that is only right.

I intend to walk away from this mess with a tangible result; one that I can stake a claim on. One which no-one else—not the Mafia, not Saint—can take away from me. That is the way out. The ultimate control over my future and his, and I’ll own it.

I’ll have the last laugh.

I pivot, walk toward the escalators. When I reach the third floor, the same eerie emptiness greets me. Beautiful displays, mannequins with gorgeous dresses. The scent of expensive perfume lingers in the air. Jasmine, roses, and a more seductive note... Pinewood maybe? ...With a darker edge of... Chocolate? I glance around and realize that I have followed the scent up the corridor.

Counters on each side display designer clothes, sun wear, formal clothes. I reach a double door at the end, and when I touch one of the handles, the door slides open. My heart begins to race. I stop at the rack of dresses, drag my finger down the array: green, blue, pink… all colors except black. I reach the end, fingers poised over a vermillion sheath. I hesitate.