The Man's Outrageous Demands Page 0,53

the large windows. She hadn’t turned on any lights, knowing her way around even in complete darkness.

“Leave on the bracelet too,” he said. His jacket was tossed over his shoulder and hanging behind him by his finger but he tossed it onto a chair.

“You were pretty bad over dinner tonight,” she said, lowering her arms, leaving the necklace on. She watched him walk over to her, smiling at the arrogance in his walk. “You think your caveman tactics are a turn on?” she asked, looking up at him now that he was standing over her.

His eyes were heated and she could see the desire in his eyes in the darkness. “I know that you want me,” he said, one finger running down between her breasts. He smiled as she shivered and his finger moved back up, circling her nipple but not touching it. “I know I want you.”

“What are you waiting for?” she asked breathlessly.

Sam needed no further encouragement. He tossed his clothes onto the chair and then pulled her down beneath him on the bed. Marabeth went willingly with him, all thoughts of admonishing him for being so possessive falling from her mind as he entered her with swiftness. Her climax came just as quickly and she fell asleep, content, in his arms. Moments before her eyes closed, she told herself to make sure she talked to him about his behavior in the morning.

Unfortunately, she woke up alone the following morning. She looked around, noting the indentation on the other pillow. She didn’t remember when he left but sighed, looking up at the ceiling in frustration.

He wanted her, that was something, she thought to herself as she pulled herself out of bed and headed to the shower. And she now accepted that he found her pretty, beautiful, even. He’d said so several times last night, not just with words but with the way he reacted to her. It was flattering, and she told herself that was enough.

But years of living under her father’s domineering attitude and George’s suffering presence and Marabeth knew that it wasn’t enough. Her father had treated her and her sister Anna as if they were prized possessions. He showed them off to the crowds but he didn’t really interact with his daughters. He knew that he was extremely important but she noticed that he always made time for Max.

And then George. Marabeth sighed and wished she could finally be rid of the man who had repulsed her so much. She didn’t know what it was about him that had made her so against their union but from the first moment she’d met him at ten years old, she knew she’d genuinely disliked the man. George had been so full of himself and for no other reason other than the fact that he had been born into the aristocracy and would someday inherit a dukedom.

George hadn’t worked a day in his life. He didn’t even manage his own estates which had initially confused Marabeth and then horrified her. She had been raised to consider her position and title a responsibility as much as a gift. When she’d become and adult, she’d found a niche for herself in promoting worthy causes and fighting for the underdog. George had found a niche for himself but it was in the stores. George was a shopper. He liked to see and be seen and had hated being seen with Marabeth since she’d worn awful clothes.

Marabeth supposed that the reason she had such a low opinion of her physical attributes was because George, the one man who had been permitted to date her since they would eventually marry, had disparaged her so constantly. He would flirt with waitresses right in front of her. It hadn’t bothered Marabeth though. She had her own ways of dealing with the useless man.

So when Sam started treating her like a possession, although a prized one this time, but one without a head on her shoulders, Marabeth didn’t want to let her self esteem go. She’d had enough of it from George doing it overtly and her father doing it subtly.

She looked at her desk and saw the note. It was from Sam. It was simple enough, letting her know he would be gone for another few days but he promised her something when he came back.

Marabeth smiled slightly. He was sweet. And very kind. But all of it wasn’t enough. She wanted the whole thing. She wanted love and respect. Not just desire and one