All or Nothing at All(95)

"Me too. But next time I want a horse that's not named Bam Bam and doesn't secretly want to try to kill me."

"Why aren't you wearing your ring, Sydney?"

She stiffened. Uh-oh. She should've known he'd get stuck on this issue. She kept her voice cool. "Does it really matter? I'm sorry if you took it personally, but it doesn't make sense when I'm working at the site."

He nodded and sipped his wine. Contemplated her words. "You didn't wear it yesterday, either, when you were strictly at the office. Or at poker night. Where is it?"

She practically gnashed her teeth together in frustration. Damn him for pushing. "In the box. Where it's safe."

"I wear mine every day." He lifted his hand. The ring flashed in the light-a dazzling gold with intricate carved ridges. Her heart dropped at the symbol of love and devotion for a couple who committed without doubt. Not like them. Not like a shotgun marriage performed seven years later because of a child. She buried the pain and concentrated on anger. It was so much simpler.




 

 

"Well, goody for you. Maybe you're more careful than I am."

"Have you changed your name legally yet?"

She glowered. She was excited Becca would have the family name, but it terrified her. How many times had she lost herself in the pursuit of Tristan Pierce? Having his name was a hollow victory without his heart. She tried not to squirm under his relentless gaze. "I'm waiting for Becca's new birth certificate. It should come in the mail in a few more weeks."

"And yours?"

"I haven't had the time to go to the town office yet. It's a lot of paperwork, and I've been busy."

He propped his elbows on the counter and regarded her. "Hmm." Slowly his finger tapped against the edge of the glass. The air lit with electricity, and she struggled for breath. He was so damn virile. From those lean muscles and tapered fingers to those carved lips, the man oozed sex appeal.

She snapped her mind into battle mode. "What does that noise mean?" she challenged. "You don't believe me?"

"Oh, I believe you've been busy. But I also believe you don't want to change your name. I think you're pretending we have a convenient arrangement and refuse to admit this will be a real marriage."

"It's not a real marriage! You made me do this."

He lifted a brow. A flush hit her cheeks. Deep inside, she'd dreamed of marrying him her entire life. Of being his wife. Unfortunately, she'd gotten her wish in the completely wrong way. She'd tried to protect herself by keeping her distance, but nothing seemed to work.

Maybe it was time to change her plan.

Maybe it was time to go after what they'd both wanted.

"I think we tried it your way for a while and now we're going to try it mine."

His soft tone caused goose bumps to shiver along her skin. Her heart began pounding so loud, she knew he heard it. "What do you mean?"

A smile touched his lips. "I think you know."

She got up from her seat. Poised for flight, she trembled, staring at him in half unease, half fascination. He seemed completely calm and in control of the whole situation. The air hung heavy with sexual tension. She regarded him with heavy-lidded eyes, knowing this was a turning point for both of them. Tristan intended to get her into his bed.

And she intended to be there.

But it couldn't be on his terms.

She tilted her head, as if considering his words. She was not going to just meekly acquiesce to his primeval threats. The thrill of the game sent shivers of anticipation down her spine. "Maybe I do know." She tossed him a challenging smile. "But I don't think it's going to happen tonight. Better to tell you that right now before things go any further." 

He placed his glass down on the table. Slowly rose from the chair and stretched with an animallike grace. "Maybe it's best if I lay out the actual plan of the evening." He shrugged off his jacket and hung it neatly on the back of the chair. "First, I'm going to remove all of your clothes. I'm going to lay you out on the bed and spend endless hours tasting you. Touching you. Biting you. Licking you." He unclipped his cuff links and laid them on the counter. "When you've come at least twice, I'm going to fuck you. First hard and fast. Then real slow. Until you weep and scream my name over and over." He rolled his cuffs up his forearms. "Then I'm going to do it all over again until you remember to wear your ring every damn day."

Her mouth was as dry as a barren desert. His dirty words caused a tsunami of sensation curling in her belly, fogging her mind with a gripping need that blasted away her defenses. Dear God, he was good. Already she craved to give in and to hell with a chase.

She fought to rally. Took a step back, her hands in front of her. "No. I mean it, Tristan. Stay away from me or you'll regret it."