Without warning, he gripped her shoulders and spun her against the door. Pressing his body against hers, she gasped. Nudging his knee between her thighs, he rubbed it against her pussy.
Gwyneth’s breathing turned suddenly shallow, telling Hammer she was either pissed off…or aroused. He didn’t care which. Either would make her reckless.
“Maybe you should have. You still look beautiful.”
“You’re standing too close.” She braced her hands on his chest, as if she meant to push him away. But she didn’t.
Hammer glanced down at where she touched him. “What are you doing with your hands there, sweetheart? You going to unbutton my shirt? Cop yourself a nice feel?”
She yanked her palms from his shirt as if he’d scalded her. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“So you only wanted me when you were married to my best friend?” He sent her a mock look of pain. “I suppose it’s not as much fun unless you’re betraying someone you profess to love.”
“You bastard.” She gritted her teeth, then raised her hand to slap him.
Hammer snagged her wrist and shook his head. “Don’t be a bad girl, Gwyneth, or I’ll have to take you over my knee and spank you.”
Her nostrils flared, along with her eyes. “I don’t play your depraved games. Did you come simply to insult me? If you have no point, let me out of this room.”
He’d definitely rattled her. Time to finish her off.
“You know I don’t obey commands. I give them.” He released her wrist, his stare drilling a hole into her. “How much?”
She understood exactly what he meant, and the little air of triumph he’d seen earlier returned. She batted her lashes. “How much what?”
“Stop playing innocent. You’re not good at it,” he bit out. “How much money will it cost for you to take the kid, leave the country, and get out of Liam’s life for good?”
Somehow, she managed to look stunned. “You think this is about money?”
“You bet your ass I do.”
Gwyneth frowned. “I’m disappointed you think I’d be satisfied by something so vulgar. I just want Liam. After all, Kyle needs his father.”
“Then I suggest you approach whoever knocked you up and talk to him. Because that baby isn’t any more Liam’s than he is mine.”
Gwyneth shook her head. “Kyle is his. I don’t expect you to believe me, but I brought proof.”
“You brought documents you doctored.”
“The baby is Liam’s,” she reiterated between clenched teeth. “I’ve been chaste since the night we spent together after the benefit.”
Hammer couldn’t stop himself from throwing back his head and laughing. “Please. You’d fuck the stick shift in your Ferrari if you thought it would get you off.”
She shot him an icy glare before lifting her chin indignantly. Then she pinned her mask back in place. “I’ve changed, Macen. I’m not the same woman I used to be.”
Hammer could test that claim in a matter of seconds. While being lied to by the pretentious whore pushed every one of his buttons, he wouldn’t let his anger get the best of him.
He slid his thigh once more against her pussy, increasing the pressure. She tensed, then wriggled ever so slightly.
Hammer gripped her hips to help her along, grinding her onto his leg. “Tell me again how much you’ve changed.”
She didn’t quite manage to bite back her gasp as she stared at his mouth for a long moment. Animosity and anticipation hung in the air, sharp. Strained. He waited.
Finally, Gwyneth pushed at him and tried to close her legs. “Get off me this instant.”
He didn’t budge, just kept nudging her cunt against him. “I’m still waiting.”
“For what?” Her breath hitched.
He took perverse pleasure in watching her struggle to control herself. Her pulse still pounded visibly in her neck. He felt her trying to pull herself together.
“For you to prove how you’ve changed.” He stared her down, thumbing her collarbone and raked his gaze over her even harder nipples. “Because you look pretty aroused to me.”
Her entire demeanor turned like a chameleon changing its color. Her perfectly waxed brows pinched together in a practiced look of anguish as she shoved at him. “Don’t torment me. You can’t fathom all I’ve been through. But I hope, for Liam’s sake, you’ll try.”
Macen didn’t buy it for a second. “All you’ve been through? You mean, all you’ve caused.”
Gwyneth gave a delicate sigh, her slender shoulders sagging as if she needed to unburden herself. “I wasn’t a good wife. I know. But my life has been hell since Liam and I separated. I’ve learned.”
“Oh, really?” Hammer placated.
“I’d give anything if I could go back and undo the damage I’ve done. I’ve lived with the terrible guilt for destroying our marriage.”
Hammer doubted she was capable of something as deep as guilt.
“I love our son…but every day I look at him, Kyle makes me realize how much I still love Liam as well.” She paused for dramatic effect. “I always will. So I’ve come here hoping that we can be reunited and become a family with Kyle.”