Love Against Duty

Chapter 5

I was up in my private penthouse, and you were down by the executive pool, You were wearing a lovely one-piece swimming suit, and your hair glowed like a gold copper wire. I remember thinking that I had never seen anyone look so pure and innocent. Please, I have to go! It isn’t proper what you’re doing and saying.

You have stopped struggling with me, he said. I have no strength to fight you. Have you? Suddenly, he pulled her against him, so close that she felt every hard bone and strong muscle in his body, Do you believe in love, or is it just a word to you? I refuse to put up with your nonsense. She tried to pull away from him, but it was futile, and it was crazy to find herself in the arms of a stranger so strong, and who doesn’t give a f**k about her struggles. Austin had never behaved this way. He had never forced her into a position so compromising. Damn this arrogant stranger; she would scratch his face if worse came to worse

You’re in no position to deny me anything, and you know it. He brought his face against hers, so she felt the warmth of his skin, the hard line of his jaw, and his breath against the side of her neck. When I saw you by the window, you had the look of a lost puppy, and it touched me. You can’t be touched or moved by anything; your type cares only about themselves. Her heart beat faster at the feel of his handsome face so close to her own, and the things it made her feel made her so desperate to get away from him. I don’t mingle with gangsters. He laughed softly, his warm breath playing over the bare skin of her lovely neck, a honey-colored tanned skin from the hours she spent at the beach but almost white in contrast to his skin. I have been called the worst, so there is hardly any effect from anything you might call me in that lovely and sweet voice of yours, Queen. I will let you go, but on the condition that you will agree to see me again. No! The word and her heart seemed to jump out of her mouth at the same time. Never!

Never is too long a time to wait; we’ll just stay like this until your charming fiancé walks in through that door and accuses me of attempted seduction, which sounds better than that other common word. Will it be a duel in the market square, or will the winner wrestle the girl. Damn you……. Now, that isn’t a nice word for a lady, is it? I should let Austin break your neck! Except that it’s the only handsome feature I have, and you are a kind woman who doesn’t like to hurt people. Come, where shall we meet? It’s no crime, you know, to live a little before you die.

You’re blackmailing me, Mr. Alonzo, which is no doubt one of your special talents. Then scream, bring them running to this room, and let them find you in my arms. I’m also a gambler, you know.

I don’t want to betray my fiancé, so I wouldn’t know where to meet you. I guess you have done this before, and I know you’re an expert, and you won’t let me go until I give, will you? No, he agreed. I hang on to what falls into my hands. Into your teeth she clenched, like some shark in the sea. I won’t bite out your flesh, for I prefer you whole, he drawled. Are you really afraid of me? She lay very still in his arms, feeling the thrust of his jaw and the muscular grip of his arms. I’m more annoyed than afraid. I’m not used to being coerced or bullied. Then pretend I’m an old family friend who wants to take you out for a pizza. You’re a woman, and women are very good at pretending.

You’re more like an uncle than a family friend, she said, covering her mouth with her hand and forcing herself not to laugh. And I’m not that good at pretending. But good enough, I will say. He moved his head away from hers and looked into her eyes with his magnetic eyes, luring her to say something. Sometimes, we all need a little alcohol for the senses; otherwise, the things we have to face would be damn hard to endure. A secret meeting can be romantic; it doesn’t have to be an introduction to a disaster. Like two strangers hanging on the tip of a cliff, struggling for their lives? She muttered, for no actual reason except that he had slanted the fine balance of her world, making this stupid demand that she meet him and become like other restless, bored women. Oh, was that what was wrong with her? Was that why she didn’t scream out for Austin and make the scene that would have put a stop to this nonsense?

She could end it, and yet she gazed back into those silver grey eyes and allowed it to hypnotize her. Yes, he said, two people who happen to find themselves in a dangerous spot—will that make it easier for you? Nothing makes it easier. It’s totally off-beam, and it could be dangerous. Life wasn’t meant to be all roses; sometimes we have to take a risk and go through the thorns to get to the roses. You found that out tonight, didn’t you? You ran from the music and sought something out there in the dark. The dark god watches them all, you know, and they’re quick at answering a prayer. A prayer? She repeated. What do you mean? You know what I mean. His smiled crookedly. It is no new thing for a hostage to fight against her restraint, and I happen to be passing. I don’t believe in chains, even if they are forged of iron and metal.