Page 56 of Worship

My voice is laced in sarcasm. “I meant my words, and my words are what you should worry about. I’m coming with my A game, Gretchen. I won’t take anything less than all of you. It’s my single objective.”

She huffs at my threat.

“I may be harder to convince than you think.”

She’s fucking daring me.

“Angel, I’m looking forward to it, or should we talk like we did last night? Now get your ass over here before I burn down your damn building so you don’t have a choice.” I’m only half-joking.

“You are a monster,” she says demurely. Fucking tease.

“Only when it comes to you, Angel. Hurry up.”

I end the call and crack my neck.

Tonight is going to be one for the books.

The moment the doorbell rings, I smile and yell, “Come in.”

I lean over the side of the couch to watch her walk in. She smiles as she takes off her coat.Is that even a dress?

I’m supposed to keep my dick in my pants, and she’s basically wearing a negligee. She’s a dirty negotiator.

“Nice dress.” My words are a flirtatious accusation.

“This old thing? I just threw it on,” she says as she saunters over to me.

I stand, my dick pulsing as I see her eyes dilate.That’s it.Instinct takes over—I can’t stop myself. I begin to stalk toward her, all my restraint dead.

“Luca! Luca! Luca!” she yells, her eyes bright with excitement.

She walks backward quickly, her arms outstretched to stop me, but I reach for her anyway, grabbing her waist and dipping my shoulder to toss her over, heading straight for the stairs.

I grab her exposed ass and squeeze it.

“We’re done talking.”

I pull my hand away and smack her ass hard. A squeal slips from her lips, and her fingers grip the back of my jeans. I’m tearing this damn dress apart. It’s trouble.

With a firm grip from one of her hands, she smacks my butt with the other to get my attention.

“What about Ella?” she breathes out.

“At her uncle’s for the night. There’s nobody here to help you. Nice try, but I’m going to fuck you on every goddamn surface in this house,” I growl.

“You promised me a conversation, dammit!” She hits me again, laughing louder.

“I lied.” I smack her ass again.

“Now shut your mouth—we have shit to attend to.” I climb the stairs, hauling her over my shoulder like a goddamn caveman, and she’s loving every minute. “When I get to the top, you’ve got a ten-second head start, then I get to find you.”

I feel her smile against my back. I know she wants this, to be chased and found. And I’m more than happy to oblige. I take the final step and bring Gretchen to her feet.

Grabbing her face and bringing her lips to mine, I kiss her with the fierceness I feel. I kiss her as if I’m entitled to her, because it’s how I feel. She feels like mine. Not ownership but possession. I want to live inside her heart and her pussy.

“My bedroom is at the end of the hall,” I mumble into her lips.

“Luca, wait!” She places her hand on my chest. “We should talk.”