Page 126 of No One But Me
"You signed a contract." I leaned forward, bracing my hands on either side of her body, caging her in. "You follow my rules."
Her chest rose and fell rapidly beneath me. Trapped but still fighting. "That doesn't make me your property."
Wrong answer.
So fucking wrong.
I lowered myself closer—not touching her yet, just letting my weight, my presence, my barely controlled fury fill every inch of space between us.
"Every decision you make has consequences, Belle." My voice dropped lower. Colder. "And tonight? You made the wrong one."
Her breath faltered.
Not in fear?—
In anticipation.
I saw it flicker across her face. The way her pupils dilated. The way her lips parted just slightly. The way her body tensed in preparation for something she wouldn't admit she wanted.
She hated herself for it.
I could see that too.
The self-loathing warring with arousal. The pride battling need. The defiance crumbling under the weight of whatever twisted thing existed between us now.
She hated me more.
Good.
Hate was honest.
Hate meant she felt something.
My voice dropped to a growl.
"You want to test me?" I let the question hang there. Let her see exactly how close to the edge I was. How little control I had left. "Fine."
Her breathing quickened.
"But don't you dare be surprised when I show you what happens when you disobey."
Chapter 19
Belle
My heart slammed against my ribs—fear and fury tangled so tight I couldn't separate them.
I'd known he'd be pissed. Knew the moment I stayed late at the bookstore instead of sitting in those stands wearing his name like a brand that there would be consequences.
But knowing and experiencing were entirely different things.
Especially when Gideon looked at me like this—jaw clenched, eyes dark with something beyond anger. Something possessive and wounded and dangerous all at once.
"Strip."
The word came out rough. A growl more than a command.
My stomach dropped.
