“I learned it from you. I watched you stoke the fires of hatred, carefully nurturing each ember until you were strong enough to defeat Terini and repay him for the sins he has committed. Now it is all being undone by that slip of a girl.”
“I have not lost sight of my desire for vengeance,” Carter said firmly. “I am only allowing for the possibility that Scarlett is not like her father, and some good may come of this. I have asked for your support and it has been denied. So be it.” He slashed his hand through the air angrily. “I demand your silence. Scarlett is not to be told about her father’s actions. No child should ever become that disillusioned of a parent. She doesn’t need to know anything about the past, and I expect you to hold your tongue.”
“Very well.” She agreed to his demand in an icy tone before rising from the chair she had occupied and exiting the study.
Carter remained behind, staring into the fireplace, where no fire crackled at the moment, without truly seeing it. Instead, Scarlett’s face was behind his eyes, pale and forlorn. He couldn’t let go of the idea that she had nearly perished today, and it ate at him. It was all well and good to speak of revenge, of keeping his feelings for Scarlett separate from his plans to crush her father, but he knew that was simplistic and unreasonable. Their fate was interwoven with his treatment of Rocco, and he would be a fool to pretend otherwise. She claimed to love him, but how long would that love last once she learned that he remained unwavering in his determination to bring her father to the justice he had eluded for so long?
Scarlett was curled under the duvet, struggling to chase away the last of the shivers that plagued her, when Carter walked into the bedroom. He closed the door behind himself, turning the lock so that no one else could enter.
He came towards her, noticing she did not move from the bed. Her hair was wet and wrapped on her head in a bun, so he assumed she’d bathed. He longed for words to express how he was feeling, but nothing came to him besides, “Scarlett.” He saw her tremulous smile and eased himself onto the bed beside her.
“I was so worried,” he whispered, hanging his head.
“But you didn’t. I’m fine. I’ve washed the cut on my shoulder, and at most I’ll have a bruise on my face.”
“Are you really fine? You don’t need a doctor?”
“I don’t need a doctor,” she dismissed, before taking a deep breath. “I love you, Carter.”
“Is that true?” he asked softly.
“If you won’t believe me when I tell you, then let me show you,” Scarlett whispered, pressing her body against his and he could feel his cock harden at her touch. “Believe what my body tells you.”
17
Scarlett
She took his hand and placed it on her chest. “Feel what my heart is saying.” Her heart was racing, and she felt hot and cold at the same time. Mustering her courage, Scarlett moved his hand from her heart to her breast. “Let me show you,” she whispered against his lips before claiming possession of his mouth.
She was in control of the moment, and he surrendered to her gladly, following her where she led him. It didn’t matter that her eyes hadn’t adjusted to the dimness of the room. She was drowning in darkness. Ready to drown in Carter again. His breath was warm against her cheek as he drew her toward him.
His hands were firm and strong, tugging at her waist.
“I want you, Scarlett,” his voice was deep. It sent a shiver along her spine.
She nodded, wanting his touch. Burning on the inside for him.
Everything seemed more erotic in the dark. As if what she was about to do was ten times more exciting. It was easier to let go without the lights. It was easier to surrender to him. To give in to the impulse. To the scorching need between her legs. Let the craving he had started the first time he touched her, come to the surface again.
“Say it,” he commanded. “What do you want me to do to you?”
Her breath hitched. Her chest tightened. Carter pressed for something she didn’t know if she could give him.
“I want more,” she whispered.
His thumb traveled over her bottom lip, gently pushing into her mouth. Scarlett whimpered and sucked lightly.
“More what?” he asked. His free hand roamed along the small of her back, snaking up her shirt, and unclasping her bra.
By now she had eagerly leaned into him, gasping for his connection. His thumb made a trail over her lips.
“Tell me.”
“I-I want you.”
Even in the dark she knew he was grinning. That irresistible sexy grin. His blue eyes blazing for her.
He groaned into the side of her neck. “You’re the only thing I could think about all day, Scarlett. I was so worried about you, but now that you’re back there’s only one thing I can think of. Being inside you again. Fucking you until you come with my name on your lips.”