Absolute Silence

14

“Oh, no. I don’t think so.” I pressed my finger into Filip’s rock-hard chest, slipping from my chair onto unsteady feet. Filip lowered his lips to my ear. “You fight me on this, and I’ll tan your ass.” My lips smacked shut. “You guys have a great night.” Filip nodded and tugged me toward the entrance. I waited until we were outside to demand answers. Yanking my hand from his, I asked, “How the hell did you know where I was?” I swayed, wrapping my arms around my middle and wishing I’d brought a coat. “Because I was following you.” He lowered his body and flung me over his shoulder. “You were … what? You can’t just—put me down!” I smacked his back, and the world spun. “Filip, I don’t feel so good,” I groaned from the pressure of his shoulder pressed deep in my stomach. He slowed and lowered me to my feet, steadying me with his warm hands on my arms. “Better?” “I think so.” “My car’s right across the street. We can argue once we’re in there with the heater on.” He led the way, his hand firmly clasped around mine. It was freezing out, so I didn’t protest. Once we were in the sleek sportscar, I angrily buckled my seat belt and glared at him. “You lied. You weren’t in the Hamptons.” He didn’t comment. “You going to say anything? You could at least tell me why the hell you were following me.” Silence. Fine, I could play the quiet game, too. I crossed my arms over my chest and glared out the passenger window. The second we approached my building, I unclicked my seat belt and tried to bolt from the car. Filip grabbed my wrist, his eyes sharp as a steel blade. “Wait,” he ordered. I rolled my eyes but complied, waiting until we were on the sidewalk to charge in front of him. He’d infuriated me in every way possible, and I wanted nothing to do with him. I pressed the elevator call button but froze when the door opened, and a question floated to the surface of my tequilalaced thoughts. I slowly faced my broody companion. “How did you know where I live?” The alcohol was caving under the barrage of adrenaline and emotions, bringing me much-needed lucidity. Filip pulled me inside the elevator and pressed the correct floor button. “Answer me, goddammit,” I barked at him, my patience wearing thin. Six feet of angry muscle backed me against the wall in a breathtaking show of dominance. “I know where you live because I looked you up. I know your college GPA and the name of your pediatrician as a kid. I followed you because I f*****g wanted to and because you obviously can’t take care of yourself. Those drinks you had were doubles, Camilla. Did you know that? You never even had a f*****g sip of water with them. And what did you plan to do? Go home with some p***y thug from the club?” He shook his head slowly. “I lied because you twist my head in f*****g knots. You make me crave what I shouldn’t and do things like wait outside your apartment to make sure you’re safe.” Each shuddered breath I took pressed my chest against his. Each of his confessions weakened my knees. He took in the effect he had on me, his nostrils flaring as the elevator chimed. The doors were fully open before he eased away from me, eyes only leaving mine when I crossed by him toward my apartment. I was speechless. I didn’t know what to say or even think. I twisted him in knots? A suspicious fluttering warmed my chest. Filip took my key from me when I fumbled with the lock. He let us inside, took my purse, and tossed it on the counter before leading me back to the bedroom. I followed in a cocoon of numb confusion. Filip had me out of my clothes and lying across the bed diagonally in a matter of seconds. He yanked his tie off, then slipped the silk fabric through a slatted hole in my wooden headboard before winding the tie around my wrists, securing my hands in a knot above my head. His searing gaze appraised his work, lowering greedily from my hands and over my exposed chest down to the small patch of neatly trimmed curls at the apex of my thighs. He positioned himself between my legs, encouraging me to spread my knees wide. When his mouth lowered over my slit, he didn’t just lick at my core; he devoured me whole. Flicking and sucking, Filip rained down an assault of pleasure. He consumed me as though I were his final meal on this earth, and he’d never tasted anything more divine. Within minutes, I was gasping and writhing, sure I couldn’t handle the explosive pressure building in my core. The intensity was overwhelming. Cataclysmic. I wanted to scream for him to stop and beg him to continue, the two conflicting desires leaving me mindless. Raw with emotion. I was drunk on Filip and totally at his mercy. Filip yanked himself away just as the wave of promised pleasure began to spill over. Instead of breaking with mighty thunder against the rocks, the wave fizzled and died beneath its own dark surface. “What? No, please. I need more.” My voice cracked with strain, but my cry fell on deaf ears. Filip eased from the bed, straightening his collar. “Think about this the next time you consider letting another man touch you.” Then he walked away without another word. I gaped at his retreating form, only gaining use of my words when I heard the front door open. “Filip, my hands!” I cried out. “You have to untie me before you leave. Filip?” My ears strained for any hint of sound, only to be met with silence.