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The words hit like a slap, a sudden flare of raw anger igniting in my chest. If she wants to treat me like a monster, fine.

"Remove your clothes then," I growl, my voice a cold, dangerous rumble as I lean back against the chair. "If that’s really what you want."

Alexis flinches slightly, but her stubborn chin goes up. Despite the embarrassing flush spreading down her neck, her hands move to the hem of her top. She pulls it over her head, letting it drop to the floor. Then her jeans. Then her underwear.

She strips until she’s standing completely naked before me in the middle of my cold living room, her chest heaving, holding my gaze with a defiance that barely masks the terror underneath.

She’s so fucking beautiful.

My eyes drag slowly down the pale length of her body, taking in every curve—the flare of her hips, the soft rise of her breasts, the delicate tremble of her waist. I want to gobble her up right here. I want to make her scream my name until her voice gives out.

But not today. Not like this.

She’s too scared. Too ashamed of herself.

I slowly rise to my feet and close the small distance between us. I reach out, sliding my hands gently around her waist, and pull her close against my warm chest. Leaning down, I press my lips to hers in a deep, slow kiss.

She’s frozen in my arms like a frightened deer, her body rigid, and I can feel the rapid, desperate thud of her pulse beating straight through her skin.

She holds her breath, bracing herself for me to take the rest—to strip down, to push her to the floor, to finish the transaction. But I pull back instead.

I look down into her startled eyes, my hand cupping the back of her neck with a grip that is firm, unyielding, but gentle.

"I enjoy the hunt, doll. Not a quick surrender like this.”

“What?” Her voice shakes.

“When I finally touch you, Alexis," I rumble, my voice dark, low, and completely unmistakable, "you're going to want me. Not my money."

A wave of sharp, burning anger flashes across her face. Her cheeks flush a deep, angry red, and before I can say another word, she wrenches out of my grip.

"You jerk!" she curses, her voice cracking with pure rage as she frantically grabs her clothes off the floor.

She pulls her jeans and sweater back on with trembling hands, throwing every insult she can think of at my head. I stand there, silent and unmoving, letting her vent every drop of her frustration onto me.

She shoves her feet into her shoes, spins on her heel, and storms out of the house, slamming the heavy front door so hard it shakes the entire entryway.

A faint chuckle rumbles in my throat as the echoes of the door slamming fade into silence.

I shake my head, reaching over to the side table to pick up my powered-off phone. I turn it back on, letting the screen boot up, and open a browser tab to pull up the official portal for Purty Clinic. I scan through their contact directory until I find the direct line for the central billing and patient accounts department.

I don’t know why I’m doing this, and a part of me is reluctant to dig deep. All I know is I want tonight to be the last time Alexis ever feels like she has no choice. Not when I’m in the picture.

CHAPTER TEN

ALEXIS

A buzz wakes me up the next morning.

I groan, burying my face in the pillow before dragging a hand over my eyes. The Blackwood has a massive, high-class corporate event to cater tonight, and I’m one of the lead servers assigned to the main floor.

I’d planned on sleeping in as late as possible to save every drop of energy for the chaotic shift ahead, but now this stupid text ruined it.

I scramble blindly across the nightstand for my phone, squinting against the harsh brightness of the screen.

The moment I see the sender's name—Purty Clinic—I bolt upright in bed, my heart hammering against my ribs.

What do they want now?