"You are spying on me!" She tried to steal the folder again.
Daniel couldn't help himself any longer.
He grabbed her gloved hand and pulled her to him. She lost her balance, landing straight on his chest. Daniel lifted her chin up and kissed her mouth.
She froze.
He was shocked. The moment their lips touched, an electric thrill ran through his veins. His primal desire awakened and demanded to be released. The arousal hit him so fast his head spun. A moan escaped his throat.
Charlotte tried to push him away, but he wouldn't let her off that easily. His cock tented in his expensive tailored trousers. It was so hard it hurt. He pinned her against the seat, kissing her until she looked about to faint.
Daniel released her.
He locked his gaze on her.
For a long moment, Daniel couldn't find his voice. Her scent. The sweetness of her lips drove him insane. The beastly part of him wanted more.
To mark her.
To claim her.
Triumph swelled in his heart. He'd kissed plenty of women in his life, but no one had ever made him like this.
No one.
The wild urge unmasked his façade leaving him in his primal state.
"Now, do you still want to deny the bond between us, Charlotte? The chemistry between us?" He called her by her first name as he leaned closer and whispered into her ear. "If kissing makes us like this, just imagine when we share the ultimate intimacy."
Charlotte stared at him wide-eyed.
"You're mine, Charlotte."
He vowed to claim her and make her understand that she belonged to him.
Very soon.
Chapter Three
It was her first kiss. And the kiss had messed up her head. Badly.
Oh God and everything Holy, Charlotte was dazed in her seat. Who would have thought a simple human intimacy like this could affect her in such a way? Blood rushed into her head, making her lightheaded. Her heart beat fast. A shimmery tingle buzzed on the tips of her fingers. Her cheeks were hot. Her head felt hot. Her whole body was hot.
All because of a simple kiss.
To her surprise, her anger vanished, and she was left with a giddy, bubbly feeling, like a schoolgirl with a crush.
What was this?
The feeling was alien to her but not entirely unwelcome.
Do I like this man? Just like that because he stole a kiss from me?
Her resolute attitude began to change. Perhaps she really was missing something in her life, an important part of being human. To have someone to love. Someone to share her life with. She didn't care about his wealth or his good looks. Something inside her awakened. After all these years, she finally craved affection. Daniel had introduced her to it. And now, she wanted more.
The Mercedes slowed to a halt on the northwest corner of seventy-second Street. Charlotte's jaw dropped slightly. She shouldn't be surprised that Daniel lived in a place like this. His residence was in the Dakota Building. To own a pad this fancy, one had to shell out millions of dollars-real money, not the Monopoly ones. She read somewhere that John Lennon had made this place his home too back in the late seventies.
A white-gloved doorman opened the door for them. Daniel got out and offered his hand to Charlotte.
"We're here."
Unconsciously, she extended her hand to him, then retracted it midway.
Daniel caught it and flashed his pearly white smile. "Don't be a stranger to me. Not now, not ever."
Charlotte climbed out of the Mercedes feeling out of place immediately. They took the elevator to Daniel's tenth-floor apartment. High ceilings and tall windows greeted her as soon as she stepped into the apartment.
A beautiful blonde with a willowy figure slowly stalked toward them. She appeared to be in her early thirties. Her body was wrapped in a black silk dress, showcasing her apparent silicon-augmented breasts. She bore a semblance to Daniel. Golden eyes. High cheekbones. Distinct nose bridge.
The blonde opened her mouth and a deep silky voice greeted them. "Well, well, look what we have here. Danny's new friend."
Daniel introduced them. "Charlotte, this is my sister, Anika. Anika, this is the special girl I've told you about-Charlotte Winters."
"Charmed. Pardon me if I don't offer you a handshake. Danny told me you don't like to be touched."
"Uhm. Yes. I'm sorry. I'm a bit OCD."
"Duly noted." She spread her hand, flashing perfectly manicured fingers. "Do, please make yourself at home."
They went in. Charlotte couldn't help goggling around.
Daniel stopped and spoke to Charlotte. "Anika will show you to your room, where you can freshen yourself-"
"Why would I need my own room? I thought we were just going to talk?"
"Indeed. Over dinner. You must forgive me, but I'd like to change into something more comfortable first." He paused, examining her. Naughty twinkles shone in his eyes. "What's wrong? Do you not want to be alone? Do you prefer to use the bathroom in my bedroom?"
Charlotte flushed "No, thank you."
"She's shy, isn't she?" Anika was bemused.
"She is," Daniel agreed. "Dinner will be served at six." He inclined his head and turned around, sauntering toward the grand staircase.
"Come." Anika motioned to Charlotte. "I'll show you to the guestroom."
She had no choice but to follow Daniel's sister. They walked through a high-ceilinged corridor where the heels of their shoes echoed on the prized Italian marble.
The guestroom was elegantly furnished along modern lines with an Asian flair. Dark granite floors were paired with pale walls and shoji-style screens. The windows were framed with old timber like temples in Kyoto.
"The bathroom is in here, and everything in this closet is yours. My personal shopper picked up everything that we thought would suit your taste."
Charlotte frowned. "My clothes? I don't understand."
"I forgot to tell you that Daniel ordered me to provide you with anything you might need, since you'd be spending plenty of time here from now on."
Charlotte wasn't sure she was happy with this arrangement. Just what did that man have in mind? Pretty cocky, wasn't he? He assumed she'd agree with all this.
"This is the dress that Danny chose for you for dinner. And a pair of must-have accessories of course." Anika lifted up a pair of sleek gloves. "They're made from lambskin, thin and soft enough so it will feel like you aren't wearing anything. Ah. Isn't this exciting? I never dreamed I'd meet a Sandman's daughter."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm only a freak."
"Then I'm a freak as well."
Charlotte looked up at her. "But you seem so normal. Are you … like … him too?"
"Yes. I'm Danny's half-sister, but I'm a pureblooded shapeshifter. My father, our father, was the alpha of our pride. He abdicated his title seven years ago, and now Danny is our alpha."
"Is there plenty of your kind out there?"
"My, my. That's classified information, you know?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry."
"You'll know more about us when you officially join our family."
"You make it sound like everything has been decided."
Anika laughed again. "One thing I know is that my brother is very determined. Once he's decided he wants something, he'll keep trying until he's succeeded."
"He's quite different from what I see in the media. I thought he was a nice guy."
Anika looked up to the ceiling while tapping her finger on her delicate chin. "Danny is a complex man. He can be such a bastard to his enemies, but he can appear like Prince Charming. I know, without a doubt, Daniel is protective and kind to the people who are important to him."
Is that so? Charlotte couldn't help but be intrigued.
"Well," Anika clasped her hands together, "please make yourself at home. I'll come for you a bit later."
After Anika left, Charlotte examined the clothing that had been prepared for her. Black sheath dress. Black lingerie. Black hosiery. A pair of black Mary Jane pumps. Akoya pearl necklace.
Charlotte picked up the bra and checked the tag. She was astonished when she realized it was the correct size. Unconsciously, she was grinding her teeth. Did he snoop into her drawers at home while she was at work? Man, that man is a pervert.
Nah. His PIs must have done it. Well, those guys are perverts.
She sank onto the bed. The mattress bounced softly. She thought about it some more. Daniel had gone to such lengths to prepare all of this, the least she could do was hear him out. No, it wouldn't be so bad. She admitted that curiosity had gotten the best of her.
Charlotte took a shower and washed her hair. As she dried her hair with a blow dryer, she thought of how much of a pain in the ass these rich people were. They had to get dolled up like this for dinner. She put on the new lingerie and marveled at how nice the expensive bra and panties felt against her skin, unlike the cheap stuff she bought from K-mart. The silk dress and the Wolford tights transformed her into a stranger she barely recognized in the mirror. Dressed prettily for the first time in her life, Charlotte smiled. Whoa, I look nice!