Not Damaged(5)

“Yes, I come from money. Is that a draw for you?”

“No, I’m not a gold-digger. I’m not asking for marriage or a ring. Far from it.” She licked her lips suddenly feeling dry.

“Would you like some water?” he asked.

“Yes.” She pressed a hand to her chest shocked by the rapid beating of her heart. What was happening to her? Her nipples ached and were in hard points pressing against the front of her dress. In all of her time with Jake she’d never responded to him like this. Pressing her legs together she felt the wetness between her thighs.

She bit into her bottom lip and tried to stop the arousal building up inside her. Nothing happened. Ryan’s gaze landed on her, making her burn from the outside in. What was happening to her?

“Here you go.” He handed her a glass of water. She took it from him. Their fingers brushed and electricity zinged through her body.

Gasping, she pulled away to take a sip of the water. Some of the liquid fell over the side onto her chest. The droplets slid down between her breasts. His gaze fell onto her chest.

“Lucky water.”

Baffled, she continued to drink, hoping the water would help her thirst. His gaze slid down her body. She noticed he settled on her hips and thighs.

“Most women want a man to provide for them and to get married,” he said, picking up the conversation where they left off.

“I’m not most women. I don’t want anything from a man.”

“Besides his cock?”

Glancing down at her glass of water, she tried to get her bearings before looking back up at him. “No, I don’t want his cock either.”

He knelt down in front of her. His palm landed on her thigh. She gritted her teeth as something deep and hard tugged at her stomach. “What happened to you never should have happened—”

“It did happen, and I don’t care about that,” she said, cutting in.

His grip tightened on her thighs. “I wasn’t finished. You will not speak unless I ask you to.”

“We’re supposed to be talking.”

He raised his palm and brought it down on her leg. It didn’t hurt but she knew he would spank her if he wished.

“You’ve disobeyed me. We were talking, getting acquainted and you decided to butt in. I don’t like not being heard. One of my rules, Jesse, listen to me or we’re over. And I will make sure every Dom within the city will not touch you.”

“There’s no way you’ll have that kind of power,” she said, melting under his possessive gaze.

“I’ve got that kind of power, and a hell of a lot more.” He stayed in front of her with his hands on her knee. She wanted to open her thighs and to take it to the next level. “Don’t even think you can go back to Jake. I will destroy him if I have to.”

“Why? You don’t even know me.”#p#分页标题#e#

“You’ve been given to me, Jesse. I do not back down from a challenge. You’re a challenge, baby. Many probably think you’re damaged or even broken.” He stopped talking and she felt his gaze deep into her soul. Ryan saw things inside her that many refused to see. “I see a woman prepared to fight. You’ve never given up. Regardless of what others think you’re a strong woman. I like a strong woman.” His fingers inched up her thigh. The tips of his fingers went under the skirt of her dress.

“You think I’m strong?” she asked. He’d be the first person. Even Jake thought she was weak.

“Yes. Don’t you see it?”

She shrugged. “I’m so used to everyone treating me as if I’m damaged that I don’t have the first clue if I am or not.”

“Then let us explore this together.” He took her hand and rose to his feet, pulling her up with him. His masculinity, along with his cologne, surrounded her. “Put your hands around me.”

Frowning, she rested her palms on the suit of his jacket.

“Touch me.”

“Is this another rule or something?” she asked. His chest was rock hard underneath her hands like an immovable object.

“No rules. I just want to feel your hands on me. I’ll take my time with you and we can get to know each other.”

“Don’t you have better things to do?”

“No.”

She ran her hands up and down his chest before circling his neck. He stayed still under her touch.

“I’m not this important. I don’t need you to focus your life on me.” Even as she said the words she wished she hadn’t.

He smiled. “You don’t mean that.” Ryan leaned in close. “We’re going to do this, Jesse. Are you a coward or are you ready to live your life?”