Chapter 52: FIFTY-TWO

M A R K O V

Feeling her warm body against mine, her soft skin pressed against me was a dream come true. I had imagined this moment a thousand times, but nothing compared to the real thing.

It was everything I had ever wanted and more. Her body fit perfectly against mine, her curves molding to my muscular frame. She had rocked my world, and now that I had a taste, I couldn't get enough.

I had never been with a woman like Jade. She was strong, independent, and not afraid to speak her mind. And she was sexy as hell, with her curvy body and full lips.

Her scent was intoxicating, a mixture of lavender and vanilla, and it was driving me crazy.

I wanted her, more than I had ever wanted anyone.

But she was still mad at me.

After we made love, her mind was conflicted. The way she was looking at me, it was clear she didn't know what to think or how to feel.

But one thing was certain.

She had enjoyed it. She had enjoyed being with me, and the passion that had ignited between us. The spark was still there, stronger than ever, our bodies calling out to each other.

I would give anything to see her look at me with lust, desire, and affection again. To have her in my arms, her soft skin pressed against mine. To feel her lips on mine, her body moving with mine.

To feel her come apart beneath me, her body writhing in pleasure, her nails digging into my skin.

God, the things she did to me.

No woman had ever had such an effect on me, and I had a feeling no other woman ever would.

She was it for me, the only woman I would ever love. And I would do anything to make her mine, to make her see how good we could be together.

"Hmm hmm hmm." I heard a clearing of throat, snapping me out of my thoughts.

Jade was standing over me, a look of disgust on her face. I looked down, and saw that I was rock hard, the sheet doing nothing to hide the evidence of my arousal.

"Really?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're disgusting."

"It's your fault, you know," I replied, a smirk on my face. "You and your sexy body."

She rolled her eyes, tossing a clean towel at my face.

"Get yourself cleaned up," she ordered, her tone firm. "You’re going grocery shopping with me. If you’re staying with me, you can as well do some work."

"Yes, ma'am," I replied, a grin on my face.

I watched her walk away, admiring the way her hips swayed. I couldn't wait to get my hands on her again, to feel her body against mine.

"Stop staring," she called out, her voice laced with irritation.

I chuckled, knowing she was right. She was a distraction, and I couldn't afford to let my guard down, not when so much was at stake.

I had to keep my head in the game, had to stay focused.

But that was easier said than done. Not when Jade was around, tempting me, teasing me.

She was a dangerous woman, and I was playing with fire. She doesn’t even know how much power she holds over me, and that in itself was dangerous.

She didn't know about the curse, about the darkness that lurked inside me. She didn't know that I was a ticking time bomb, and that the longer I was with her, the more I was putting her in danger.

But I couldn't stay away.

I was a selfish bastard, and I wanted her. I wanted her more than I had ever wanted anything in my long, miserable life.

And I would have her, no matter the cost.

I got out of bed, my body still humming with arousal. I took a quick shower, the cold water doing little to quell the fire inside me.

I dried off, wrapping the towel around my waist, and walked out of the bathroom.

Jade was in the kitchen, her back to me. She was wearing a pair of tight jeans that hugged her curves in all the right places, and a simple t-shirt that did little to hide the fact she wasn't wearing a bra.

I walked up behind her, my hands resting on her hips.

"Get off me," she said, her voice tense.

"Or what?" I whispered, my lips brushing against her ear. "You'll make me go shopping with you? Oh, the horror."

She turned around, her eyes flashing with anger. But there was something else there too, something she couldn't hide. Desire. She wanted me, and it was killing her.

"You're an asshole," she spat, her hands on my chest, trying to push me away. "Go get dressed. We're leaving in ten."

I leaned in, my lips a breath away from hers. "Is that a threat, or a promise?"

She glared at me, her jaw clenched. But she didn't pull away, and I knew I had her.

"You're impossible," she said, her voice a little shaky.

"Tell me something I don't know," I replied, a smirk on my face.

I let her go, walking back to the bedroom to get dressed. I could feel her eyes on me, and I knew I had gotten to her. I quickly put on my clothes, a pair of black jeans and a dark gray t-shirt that clung to my muscular frame.

When I walked back into the living room, she was waiting for me, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Let's go," she said, her tone clipped.

I followed her out of the apartment, a smirk on my face. This was going to be fun.

I opened my car door for her. Her surprise was evident, but she quickly masked it with a scowl.

"Don't pretend to be a gentleman," she said, sliding into the passenger seat. "We both know you're not."

I chuckled, closing the door. I got into the driver's seat, the engine purring to life.

"You have no idea what I am," I said, pulling out onto the street.

"I have a pretty good idea," she retorted, her gaze fixed on the road ahead. "You're a monster. A liar. A manipulative bastard."

"Guilty on all counts," I replied, a grin on my face. "But I'm also the best you've ever had, and we both know it. I left you unable to walk, didn't I? Don't pretend you weren't thinking about it last night when you were in that shower alone. Bet you played with that pretty little pussy of yours, wishing it was me instead of your fingers."