Chapter Five

Emily didn't have a clue what she was doing. Dalton had just given her everything she wanted without expecting a thing in return, and she should be glad of that. Except … what? Why was she still here? Why was she making demands? The last thing she wanted was to be forced into sex and a relationship she didn't want.

The fact Dalton had stopped all of this before it even happened had to mean something. Also, the way he looked at her, it was like he was … desperate for her. She didn't quite understand it herself, but she wasn't going to back down.

Emily wasn't sure if she could trust him, and she wasn't going to start to pretend she could. He might be trying to lure her into a false sense of security, waiting for the right opportunity to strike, and she wasn't going to give him that satisfaction.

"Do you think you can push me?" he asked, taking a step toward her.

She stood her ground.

There was something off about Dalton, something she was clearly missing, and she wasn't going to leave him until she got to the bottom of it.

"Answer me. I had to answer you, and now it's your turn."

Dalton chuckled. "You think you're in a situation to make demands of me?"

"I think you're too afraid to answer me." Again, Emily didn't know what she was doing, or why she was pushing this.

Dalton closed the distance between them and then there was no turning back. She stared into his shockingly blue eyes. She had always found them to be intense, so mesmerizing. There was no way she could look away, nor did she want to.

Why had she not realized how much she loved looking into his eyes? There was a sadness to them, a darkness she wanted to explore.

She released a gasp when he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her in close.

"What's the matter?" he asked. "Afraid?"

"No, I think we both know the only person afraid right here is you."

She offered him a glare and this time he did chuckle, but before he had even finished, what he did next took her by surprise.

He slammed his lips down on hers. At first, the kiss was hard, demanding, almost cruel in its assault, but then something changed.

Emily had her hands by her sides, not touching him, a little taken aback and not exactly sure what to do or say. She couldn't think. Her body felt, though. Oh, did it feel. It was like it had finally come alive, and Dalton was the cause. She felt an answering pool between her thighs.

He traced his tongue across her bottom lip and she couldn't help but moan, which gave him exactly what he wanted—access into her mouth.

This time, she felt his tongue, and the temptation was just too strong, so she touched hers to his. There was no repulsion, which is what she expected. Nothing. Just a need so acute, she could barely think straight. They were suddenly moving back, and the hardness of the door stopped them.

His body was flush against hers, and she felt the hard ridge of his cock pressing against her stomach. She mewled, needing more, and then as if he had finally come to his senses, he pulled away.

Emily hadn't even realized her eyes had closed. She didn't know when she had started to touch him.

Neither of them spoke.

She didn't know what words to say. Instead, she stared at him, unsure. Did this mean he did have feelings for her? Or was this just another game?

"Go," he said.

"No. I'm not leaving."

"You know what, I don't get you. You look at me with hatred when I try to force you to be with me. Now I give you everything you want without asking for anything, and you're still not happy. Why?" he asked.

"Why did you want anything from me in the first place?" Emily asked. "You could have any woman in town with the snap of your fingers, and they would all do exactly what you want. Why me? Why target me? Is it because of my mother? What?"

"You don't get it, do you?" he asked.

"Get what?"

Why was he talking in riddles? She didn't understand anything he was saying. None of it made sense.

Suddenly, Dalton cupped her face and tilted her head back, so she had no choice but to look him in the eyes. She was a little taken aback. His intensity startled her.

There was something happening, and she wasn't sure what it was, but then he ran his thumb across her bottom lip.

"I … want … you," he said the words slowly.

At first, they didn't quite register, but then the whole meaning behind his words did, and Emily was startled. She wasn't used to being … wanted.

Sure, she had a mother who needed her, but that was different. She was sure if her mother could find someone else, she would, gladly. There was no love for her on her mother's side.

Then there was no one else in her life.

No one at all.

No father. No real friends, other than the ones she worked with, and they never invited her to parties or special occasions. She was used to it.

Dalton wanted her.

"That's why you tried to give me the ultimatum?" she asked.

He didn't answer, but gave a sudden jolt to the head. Was it a nod? Again, she wasn't sure.

"Why didn't you just ask?" she said.

He snorted and it was a sound she was starting to really hate. She shoved him in the chest. "No, you don't get to make stupid noises and pretend I wouldn't have wanted you. I don't treat you that way and you don't get to do that to me."

****

Dalton knew he should be pissed with her pushing him, but the truth was, he found it incredibly cute.

He didn't want to open up or talk about his feelings as that was not the kind of man he was. It wasn't the man he'd ever been. Nothing good ever came out of talking about his feelings.

Emily was different.

He pressed his hands to the wood at either side of her head, locking her in place between the door and his body. She would have to touch him or force him to move. He had no desire to. In fact, he liked being here.

Staring into her pretty eyes, he felt himself falling down that rabbit hole. It always happened whenever he was confronted by Emily.

She made it impossible for him to function. Even now, even as she shot him a glare and was clearly pissed at him, he still wanted her, and that wasn't going to change. His cock was rock hard and his need for her had only gotten stronger.

He felt a desperation, unlike anything he had ever experienced before.

"You and I both know, Emily, that you would never go with me. You're too sweet, too precious, too pure, too—"

He didn't get chance to finish his sentence as she suddenly cupped his face and kissed him hard. This time, he was the one left stunned. The kiss was so unexpected that at first, he didn't even bother to kiss her back.

He wasn't a man to be shocked for long. Gripping the back of her neck, he took over and kissed her hard, exploring her mouth. He expected her to back down or tell him to stop. Emily surprised him by doing neither. In fact, as he once again went to explore her mouth with his tongue, she met him partway.

Now this kiss was different.

He couldn't resist touching her waist and then gliding down toward her hips, gripping her tightly, and drawing her close to him.

Emily moved her hands until they were behind his neck, and then she pressed her body against his.

They had on way too many clothes, and he didn't like that.

He broke the kiss, but only to trail his lips down toward her neck. She gave a soft moan when he used his teeth on the pulse at her neck.

She surprised him by suddenly grabbing his shirt and tugging it out at the waist. Dalton pulled back and then realizing her intention, he pulled the shirt off his head and dropped it to the floor.

"Is this what you wanted?" he asked.

She nodded her head.

He saw her hands were clenched at her sides. Her cheeks were flush a bright red, and she kept nibbling her bottom lip.

She looked so fucking cute and sexy at the same time. He just couldn't resist.

Taking hold of her hand, he placed it against his chest. "Touch me."

Her hands on him felt so damn good.

Dalton sensed her nervousness.

She was still wearing her bag and a jacket. Taking the bag from her, he hung it up on the coat peg, and then returned to her, removing the jacket next. Her gaze was still on him.

"Tell me what you want, Emily."

He wasn't used to being so nice, nor patient. Emily changed him, he knew that.

"I don't know."

He looked at her. "Do you want to leave?"

"No."

He was shocked when she didn't even hesitate and of course her answer also surprised him. Despite all his power and money, he expected rejection.

"Do you want to have a drink? Dinner?"

She averted her gaze. "I know what you want, Dalton, and I want it too."

He folded his arms across his chest and looked at her. "You expect me to believe, being the virgin you are, that you want to sleep with me?"

"Yes."

"I don't believe you. Less than twenty-four hours ago, you couldn't even stand the idea of it, and now you're offering yourself up. Why? I gave you everything. There is nothing you have to do." He had thought he wanted Emily by any means he could get her. Forcing her, and then hoping to win her heart afterward had sounded like a good and solid plan to him, only it had way too many loopholes and problems.

"And that's why I want to be here with you." Emily stepped toward him. She reached out and gently placed a hand on top of his chest, right next to his heart. "You gave me an ultimatum. You were going to force me to marry you and have sex with you. You tried to take the choice away from me, and I didn't want that. You've given me back my choice. You're not expecting anything in return." She slid her hands up and around his neck. "Do you not want me?"

To be the good man, he should tell her to go home. To think about what she was going to do. He should, he knew that. Dalton wasn't a good man. He may be ruthless but Emily was all he had ever wanted.

Pushing her away was not an option for him. She was his, she belonged to him, and he knew if given the chance, he could make her happy. He had the ability to give her everything she desired.

"I gave you a chance to leave," Dalton said, leaning down, shoving his shoulder against her stomach, and then lifting her over it. "Now, you don't get the chance to leave."

There was only so much restraint and kindness he could show.

Emily had always been a soft spot to him even though he always managed to fuck things up. He'd always craved and desired her and that wasn't going away anytime soon.

His hunger for her knew no bounds. There was no turning back after this. Emily may think he was a good man, but when he took her, he wasn't going to wear a condom. He wasn't going to let an opportunity like this pass him by.

He tried to be good, and she came back to him.

Now, he was never letting her go. She would be bound to him.