Claimed (erotic) (#1, 101 Nights)

Chapter Three: Elijah

I know desperation – I’ve seen hundreds of men cross my threshold with that gleam in their eyes. Like this woman, most of them want something, and it’s usually money or my influence to better their lives or line their pockets.

I’m good at smashing people’s hopes and driving competitors into the ground. My father says I’m heartless, and I agree. Hearts can bleed. If I have none, I’ll never worry about the blood ruining my expensive clothes.

I follow her and see she’s stopped in the hallway. I know what she’s thinking: it’s now or never. I look over her body once more and decide that yes, the idea that’s forming in my head is doable. She’s sexy with large breasts and rounded hips. While her clothing could use improvement in taste and style, she’s toned, fit and healthy. Pretty but not over the top.

Strong enough to face me in person, smart enough to know how to get into my super secure penthouse, shrewd enough to know how stupid it’d be to shoot me.

For a moment, I was disappointed that she backed down and left the study at my offer. Finding her in the hall, however, makes me think she’s got more of a backbone than ninety nine percent of the people I’ve met.

How desperate is she? I’m watching her. She stands stiffly in the hallway, tense enough to jump if I make the slightest sound. Her breathing is ragged, and I know she’s replaying everything I just said over in her mind. It’s what I’d be doing in her shoes.

“Last chance to walk away,” I tell her.

“No,” she whispers. “I won’t let it end like this.”

I approach, sensing I’m about to win. Like usual. I stop close enough to feel her body heat and lean forward enough to slide hands down her arms. She shivers and turns to face me, looking up at me with clear blue eyes that are determined, if scared.

She smells of jasmine, the same exotic scent I wake up to every morning back home. A natural beauty, her eyes are large and lips full. Her nose is slightly turned up at the end and her cheeks currently flushed. With a tiny bit of work, I can turn her from uncommonly pretty into a bombshell.

“I came here to blackmail you or …” She can’t finish the sentence.

“You’re not a killer,” I tell her, brushing her cheek with the back of my fingers. “You’re a scared little girl.”

“I am. But I’d rather be a scared little girl than a heartless bastard like you. All your money can’t bring someone like you any sort of happiness or peace.”

My jaw clenches, and I drop my hand without moving away. I’m not used to people talking to me like she does.

“There’s nothing money can’t buy. Even someone like you,” I growl.

“I’m not for sale.”

“What would you do to keep your precious block from being torn down?” I challenge. “Lie? Cheat? Steal?”

“Yes,” she says without hesitation. Her breathing is growing faster, and I move closer. I love the softness and scent of a woman’s body, even if that woman is currently pissed at me. The addition of her holding a gun is a total turn on.

“Give up control of your life?”

Her eyebrows quirk in confusion. “If it got me what I wanted, yes.”

“Your body?”

After a brief hesitation, she nods.

I smile.

Her eyes drop to my lips, and I realize she feels the chemistry between us the same way I do.

“I need a woman of wife-like material. You want to save your family’s home. I have a different kind of deal for you,” I start. “One that gives us both what we want.”