Lucien - Silvia Violet Page 0,6

much about designer labels, I could tell his suit fit him like it was tailored for him. His shoes looked like someone had spent hours polishing them. His dark hair was expertly styled, his skin flawless. He had the money to make anything happen. And the way he held himself perfectly still echoed his power. He didn’t fidget. He didn’t blink. He sized me up, and when I shivered under his gaze, I saw the barest hint of a smile. He liked that I was afraid.

I needed to get away from him, yet it wasn’t just fear that had my heart racing, because while I knew he was scary as hell, I also knew he could protect me if he chose. The weight of his presence and his air of utter authority made me crave the chance to learn more about him, and God knows, the man was gorgeous. He’d been created to be as beautiful as he was dangerous, and he wanted me. As stupid as it was, knowing that made my heart flutter. Maybe I really was an idiot because there was no doubt this man could destroy me if he chose. “That’s… very flattering, sir, but—”

Mr. Marchesi took a step toward me, then another until he was so close I could reach out and touch him if I dared. I didn’t.

“Once you crossed that threshold”—he gestured toward the door to his office—“you became mine. The faster you accept that, the easier things will be for you.”

Had his voice really gotten lower and huskier, or was that my imagination? There was heat in his eyes. I was sure of that. They’d been cold before when he’d been angry that Jimmy had sent me, but now they seemed warm, almost comforting, though his words were not.

“You can’t own me, sir. No one can.”

He shook his head. “You’re wrong about that.” He reached out and ran the backs of his fingers along my cheek. I sucked in my breath as I shivered again. “You’re new to my world. Innocent. So I’ll be lenient, but I do not permit defiance from anyone who works for me.”

“I don’t—” He laid a finger against my lips. I wanted to draw the digit into my mouth and suck on it. What was wrong with me? I needed to find a way out of there. Would he really hold me against my will? I knew something was off when Jimmy sent me here. I knew the job was too good to be true.

“Do you understand what it means when I say you’re mine?”

“I… I don’t know.” But I thought I actually did, and it made me want him when I should have been terrified. I’d hidden from danger and conflict ever since that night when… I pushed the memories away. They still had the power to make me sick, and I needed to focus so I could find a way out of this.

“Kneel.” Mr. Marchesi pointed to the floor in front of him.

No, this wasn’t happening. I glanced toward the door. It seemed much farther away than it had moments before. I doubted I could outrun him, and he had men outside the door anyway. I wouldn’t be able to get away from them, and while Mr. Marchesi wasn’t as big as they were, I was certain he was stronger than me. Fuck. He was watching me, like a cat waiting for a mouse to make a move before he pounced.

When I didn’t move, he cupped my chin. Heat raced through me as his fingers pressed into my skin, firm but not hard enough to hurt. “I don’t give commands a second time.”

He let go, and I went to my knees, heart racing. This was wrong, and yet, looking up and seeing his lips curve up in approval made my cock start to swell.

“See. That wasn’t so difficult.” He held out a hand, palm up.

“Wh-what do you want, sir?” I hated how my voice trembled, but at least my fear was justified this time. Mr. Marchesi was the kind of man who would scare almost anyone.

“Your hand.”

I frowned. “I don’t—”

“Your hand, Peter.” Why did my name sound so sexy on his lips?

I laid my trembling hand over his, and he pulled me to my feet. “Aren’t you going to make me…”

“Do you want me to make you?”

I shook my head. “No, sir.”

He ran a finger over my lower lip, pressing until I opened my mouth slightly. “Are you sure?”

It was one thing to be forced