She frowned at those words but stood her ground as he approached her. She stilled like a bird caught in a trap. He wondered if Lila was starting to doubt what she landed herself in. Too late for regrets now. Once he had his hooks deep in her, he had no intention of letting her go.
She belonged to him now, even if the truth hadn’t fully sunk in yet. Marco would begin his conquest soon—first her body, then the rest of her, heart and soul included.
“Seven, then,” she said in a shaky voice. “You know where to find me.”
“I do.” Marco flashed her a smile, pleased she let out a little shudder. Not one of revulsion, he was sure of that, but equal parts fear and excitement. He could work with those two emotions.
He promised himself he’d enjoy her slowly, but he raised his hand and cupped her smooth cheek. Lila did a surprising thing. She leaned into his touch like a baby animal seeking contact, comfort. Marco bent his head and took her mouth.
She tasted exactly like he remembered. Coffee. Strawberries. Her lips felt so soft against his. He crushed them and felt her body respond to him. She gripped his shoulder, her heavy breasts rubbing against his chest. Marco hated the fact clothes got in the way of flesh kissing flesh, but he told himself to be patient. That time would come.
When she parted her lips, he thrust his tongue down her throat. Such sweetness. He could take her right here and now. Throw her over the table and rip at her clothes. Rut her like an animal and no one would stop him. He pulled away before his cock would do all the talking for him.
Lila panted. Like this, she looked perfect to him. Pupils dilated, lips swollen from his kiss. She looked a little lost, innocent, until she smiled and Marco caught a glimpse of that bright-eyed, daring little demon who kissed him under a mistletoe on Christmas Eve.
She had a hidden side to her, a wild streak, and he took it as a challenge upon himself to lure it out in the open. Marco had teeth, but Lila had plenty of bite to her as well, and that excited him. He’d never met anyone quite like her and doubted he ever would again. Lila was one-of-kind and she now belonged to him. Exclusively.
“See you,” he said, stealing another kiss before drawing away and leaving her there. Any longer lingering there and his control would completely unravel.
Chapter Three
Lila looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror and wondered if she should change her dress. Again. She twirled her fingers in her brown curls and decided she would do. The strapless wine-colored dress fell just above the knee and hugged her body like a second skin.
Too much? But it was the nicest dress she owned, and it complemented her dark hair and eyes. She never considered herself a beautiful girl, but Marco looked at her like she was the most desirable woman in the world. Like a prize, a conquest worth pursuing.
She shivered at that thought. Goosebumps appeared across her arms. Toying with Marco Severin might be the most dangerous thing in the world to do, but she needed him. He wanted her. They were using each other—that much was certain, but the attraction she felt for him was real enough.
Lila looked at her wristwatch. Nearly seven. He’d be here soon, and she had a feeling he would be punctual. She combed her fingers through her hair again. Lila spent nearly an hour taming her curls. Marco texted her earlier, asking her to wear it down. She could comply with that request. She left her room, about to grab her purse from the sofa, but the framed photograph on the shelf next to the living room couch stopped her.
Lila neared it, lifted the frame, and touched the glass. The photograph showed her and her dad on his little tugboat, at least that was what she called it. She’d been ten in the photo and he’d taken her on one of his fishing trips. Lila had on his hat and vest. Both were too big on her. Skinny and sunburned. Secretly happy, she remembered.
“I complained the entire time about being bored. He never took me fishing again,” she whispered to the empty room. Lila set the photo down. She collapsed on the couch and went through her purse just because she had maybe ten minutes to kill.
What was she doing, agreeing to go out on a date with Marco? Would her dad approve? If he were alive, he’d probably tell her to stay away from a man like Marco. Her dad might have been a lot of things. He’d been incredibly loyal to the Severin Familia, but he never hid the fact he wanted a different and better life for her.
“Too late for that,” she whispered softly.
She wasn’t doing this because Marco phrased it like a demand. Some part of her had always had a crush on him ever since she was fifteen. Since that kiss under the mistletoe. It all sounded romantic, except would a man like Marco even know how to do romance, or did he simply fuck whoever he was interested in and leave them after?
The doorbell rang, interrupting her train of thoughts. Lila refused to back off now. She grabbed her purse and answered the door. She only saw him hours ago and yet seeing him standing outside her doorway felt a little surreal.
Marco wore one of his usual impeccable suits but he looked more relaxed with his hands in his trouser pockets. This time, his suit was midnight blue, she noticed. No bodyguards in the background again. They were probably discreetly following him.
“Hi,” she said. “You’re on time.”
He flashed her a smile, showing her the whites of his teeth. “I always am. You ready?”
Marco offered her an arm, which she accepted. Acting like a gentleman?
She glanced at his handsome profile in the elevator and couldn’t keep her gaze from the cruel shape of his lips. Lila thought about the kiss earlier, how he took her mouth without apology. Would he be merciless in bed as well?
She shivered as they exited the elevator.
“You look beautiful tonight. I’m glad you wore your hair down.” They were out on the street now and once again, Marco opened the car door for her. She slipped in, conscious of the hem of her dress riding up.
“You look nice, too,” she said lamely as he took the driver’s seat.
“Feeling shy around me tonight, Lila?” he asked, starting the engine.