She tilted her head, that amused expression still playing on those lush lips of hers. Lips I had dreamed of for so many nights.
No woman could compare to Stephanie Winters. Not one. It didn't matter how beautiful. How smart, how good they were in bed, nor how fast I came on their tongue. Not one compared to my Duchess.
I played games with myself all these years. Trying to convince myself that I was crazy. That I had been drugged and deceived.
How could I possibly love a woman as plain and insignificant as Stephanie Winters?
But they were all lies I told myself because Stephanie was nothing but significant in my life. She ruled every waking hour. My obsession with her grew throughout the years, along with my desperation. And in that despair, I thought I could never live another day without her. There were several moments in my life where I figured it was just best to end it. End the turmoil. End the wait.
I had pressed the barrel of that gun to my temple more than once. But then thought to myself, what good would that do, when I couldn't take her with me.
She leaned in and whispered. "In trouble by whom? Some lowly bodyguard?"
It was my turn to smirk at her. "No. sweet girl. By the TurkishKaranlik Prens. Soon to be King himself."
I lifted the lapels of my expensive suit jacket open as I presented myself to her. "You're looking at the head of the Turkish Mafia, my Duchess."
Her eyes widened, and she barely breathed as I pressed her up against the door. "And he gets what he wants when he wants it."
"Impossible," the word fluttered against my lips as her hands pressed against my chest. It was the first touch she'd ever initiated, and it made my whole body grow hard.
"You really have no idea what you've done to me," I whispered back, her eyes drawn to mine.
I slid my hand into her hair and cupped her cheek. "You've always been so precious to me, Stephanie."
"What the hell are you talking about?" She uttered in disbelief.
"Which part? That I'm the head of the Turkish Mafia or that I think you're beautiful."
"The former," she bit out.
I smirked again, stroking her soft cheek with my thumb as I leaned in and pressed my lips to her ear.
"Blood. My hands are dripping in it."
As I slid my hand down to the curve of her throat. “And I’ll shed more for you if I have to.”
I felt her swallow nervously as my thumb stroked the side of her jugular. She was so fragile, so defenseless. In one fowel swoop I could cut off her breath and end it all right here. Both her life and mine, of course.
"You're a psychopath,” she breathed.
I gripped her throat, and I felt her body stiffen against mine. Her hands reached up over my own. "I'm much more powerful than that. I have the full intention of making you beg for me, Duchess. And I want your screams as you do it, because only then will I be certain that you're mine."
"I will never…"
"Shhh," I pressed a finger to her lips.
"I wouldn’t say never,Tatlim. You also thought I'd never find you and look where that has gotten you."
I dragged my thumb along her bottom lip and felt her shiver. The redness of that lip was almost hypnotic. My lips hovered over hers. A ghost of a kiss lingering between us.
I pulled away, just as suddenly as I had captured her. Straightening my jacket, I took a moment to give her a once-over and then reached for the door. "I unfortunately have a full schedule, Miss Winters. Perhaps we could continue this another time."
It took her a moment to realize I was kicking her out. And when she did, that fire I loved so much, sparked in her eyes.
"I didn't come here to be treated as your toy. You will not control me or anyone around me."
Her stance was fierce and stunningly beautiful. "I'm not trying to control you; although it seems I’ve already accomplished that."
