I finally get my wits about me enough to pull myself away from Nick. I turn and spin to stare at him with my hands on my hips. “Just what the hell was that? You told me you didn’t mind me coming here. If you didn’t want me to, all you had to do was say so.”
“I told you you could come here—not your fucking boyfriend,” he growls, his golden eyes blazing.
I stare at him, and then I can’t help it. I start laughing.
The thought of Jake and me being together…
Nick’s brows furrow, and his expression looks thunderous.
“That’s what this is about?” I finally manage to gasp out. “You think Jake is my boyfriend?”
Nick’s jaw tightens.
“Not like it’s any of your business,” I tell him, “but Jake is not my boyfriend. He’s more like a big brother to me.”
“He wants to fuck you,” Nick says resolutely, “and, yeah, it is my business. You’re mine, so that makes you my business.”
My eyebrows raise up to my hairline and my breath catches. “Yours?” I stare at him like he’s sprouted another head before I shake my head incredulously, “I don’t know where you get off thinking that.”
He turns on the smolder, looking at me darkly as he takes a step toward me.
“What do you think this is, kitten?” he asks me softly, seductively, dangerously.
My heart begins to race, and all I can think about is how I need to put distance between us even as I half long for the touch of his fingers on my skin. How fucking confusing is that?
I take a step back from him when he takes another step forward. “What what is?” I ask him, unable to stop my blood from thrumming in my veins the closer he gets to me.
“This,” he motions between us. “I know you feel it too. I can see you trembling every time I get close to you. I felt you soften in my arms last night every time I kissed you.”
I feel my face heat at the reminder and wet my lips. His eyes dart down to them, and he licks his own as he zones in on them.
Despite me taking steps back, his steps are longer than mine, and he closes the distance between us, stilling me from retreating further by placing his hands on my waist.
He lowers his head until his lips are right beside my ear before he says, “Don’t run from me, Daisy.”
I don’t have time to respond before he kisses me, deeply, passionately, one hand holding me by the nape of the neck, the other still firm on my waist.
He kisses me artfully, stealing my breath away, and I see he’s right. I’m trembling all over by the time he pulls back just enough to allow me to breathe.
“Have dinner with me again tonight,” his whispers right against my lips.
He doesn’t ask. It’s a command. Like he owns me. Which he apparently thinks he does, I’m quickly reminded. I purse my lips at his audacity and shake my head.
He narrows his eyes at me. “Don’t make me blackmail you again because you know I will.”
I look up into his eyes and realize with irritation that he’s telling the truth. He’s not above playing dirty to get his way.
It infuriates me. “You’re despicable,” I fume before turning on my heel and stalking away from him.
He just laughs behind me before calling out, “I’ll come for you at seven.”
I flip him off without even turning to look back at him.
He only laughs louder.
Damn him.
* * *