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Sure enough, a fat book was tucked under the back corner of the bedframe, lifting it just enough to make sleep impossible.

“Damn woman,” he muttered.

His temper fired up again, and this time he didn’t hold back. He didn’t care that he was naked. He yanked on a robe, one he’d never worn before, probably still had the damn price tag on it, and stomped down the hallway.

No hesitation this time. No knocking. He shoved Madelaine’s door open, making it bounce off the wall.

She was perched prettily on the bed, surrounded by pillows, a lamp glowing at her side, with a lightbulb, he noted with a fresh spike of irritation, reading like nothing was wrong.

Too beautiful. Too calm. Too infuriating.

“I’m sorry!” he barked, tearing the robe off and letting it fall to the floor. He barely registered the way her blue eyes widened as her gaze dipped lower. He didn’t stop as he strode to the bed, plucked the book from her fingers, and tossed it aside.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my plan,” he snapped, the words firing out like bullets. “I was wrong. It won’t happen again. Damn it, I love you, woman, and I’m sorry!”

As he spoke, he yanked back the sheets, sheets that were perfectly tucked, damn her, and slid in beside her, hauling her into his arms. He caught her wrists, tugging them over her head, pinning her as his mouth came down on hers.

“I’m sorry,” he growled against her lips. “I love you. I was an ass. It will never happen again.”

Then there was no more talking. Only kissing. Hard, hungry, unrelenting kisses. His hand slid under her silky nightshirt, finding warm skin, his temper rising when he realized she was wearing panties. Panties. Like she’d planned to sleep untouched, like she hadn’t known he’d come for her after all she’d done to his bedroom.

That ended now.

He pinched her nipple, half in punishment, half in a desperate need to hear her gasp. She did, arching into his touch, pressing against him, one leg sliding higher over his hip as if to pull him closer.

“Damn you!” she hissed, even as her hips lifted in invitation.

“I know,” he groaned, cupping her breast again, teasing, tormenting, until she made that whimper that always undid him. “I love you. And I will never hurt you again.” His body throbbed with need, but he forced himself to wait, to take her with him, not just take.

Shifting so that he was over her, Paulo spread her legs. “I love you, damn it!” he grumbled, pressing one finger into her heat. She was hot and wet for him, her hips lifting to meet his fingers. Using his thumb, he teased that nub, needing her desire to match his own.

“Paulo!” she gasped, pulling a hand free from his grip so that she could guide his hand, using her own to cover his fingers. “Like that,” she whispered, closing her eyes and moving her hips in rhythm with his hand. “Don’t stop!”

He didn’t, but he bent his head, taking one nipple into her mouth while his fingers and thumb continued working her body until…!

She screamed his name, her body arching against his hand. He pulled his fingers out and replaced them with his shaft, holding one of her legs over his shoulder as he slid into her. She’d barely come down off the first climax when he shifted against her, thrusting hard and fast, needing to show her who was in charge. But in the end, she cupped his face, those blue eyes looking up at him and he lost control. Yeah, she was definitely in charge, he thought as he lost everything in her.

Later, when the frenzy eased and they lay tangled in the sheets, she shifted to face him. “You hurt me with your plan,” she whispered.

His sigh stirred the wisps of hair at her temple. His hand stroked her back, her bottom, then slid into her hair. “I know. And I’m so sorry. Never again.”

“Good.” She lifted her head, her gaze fierce on his face. “Did you mean it?”

“Every word.”

“Why did you…?”

“Because I’m an ass,” he interrupted, knowing what she was asking. “I didn’t know you back then, Madelaine. I’ve carried poison in me for too long. So, when you came along, I turned you into part of the cure. A plan. A tool. I didn’t realize…” His mouth brushed hers, soft, fleeting. “I didn’t realize you’d already siphoned the hatred away. I didn’t understand until you weren’t beside me anymore.”

She sighed, and pressed her cheek to his shoulder. “I love you too. But if you ever use me like that again, I’ll castrate you.”

He chuckled, pressing his lips to her forehead. “You’d suffer as well if you did that.”

She shrugged. “I’d sacrifice for the greater good.” She rested her chin on his chest, smiling sweetly. “Besides, you’re just as good with your hands and mouth, so I wouldn’t suffer that much.”

He rolled over with a growl, pinning her beneath him. “By the way, can I have my lightbulbs back?”

It took her a second. When she finally remembered all that she’d done to his office and bedroom, Madelaine burst into helpless laughter.