“No, slowly. I want to savor it.” His voice was icy, but he was hot, wanting her so badly, he ached. But if he showed her one ounce of empathy, then she’d continue this idiotic behavior, and he was going to end it, once and for all.

She still refused to look at him, pinning her gaze to his collarbone. Taking her time, Allie unzipped the dress and slowly peeled the dark red satin over her breasts. Her strapless bra was red as well. Trevor gritted his teeth as his cock grew even harder. Rubbing a hand along his chin, his heart slammed into his chest. He’d missed this—seeing her skin, her breasts, her long, smooth legs. Missed touching her.

Allison leaned forward, giving him an eyeful of her plump, confined breasts as she slid the dress over her hips and thighs, finally stepping out of it and tossing it on the bed. She turned toward him, and it took a moment, but her eyes slowly made their way to his before dancing away, that polite, annoying smile glued to her lips.

He took one step toward her. The smile dimmed a bit. He took another step, and her eyes widened and filled with panic. Damn, he didn’t want that reaction either. He wanted her as she had been, receptive and laughing and touching her body. He wanted what they’d had before, not this…lack of emotion, this detachment.

Reaching out, he pulled a strand of her hair between his fingers, rubbed the silky texture. Then he bent toward her. He’d wanted her mouth, the taste of it, the feel of those full lips beneath his. But she turned her head at the last second, and his lips grazed her jaw.

He snapped his head back, eyes narrowed. “I’m in charge here, Miss Campbell.” He wanted to kiss her, had been fantasizing about it. He liked kissing her, goddamn it. “Every whim, remember?”

“But fuck toys don’t kiss.” She smiled serenely. “Would you like me to touch you now?”

Livid. No, he was past livid. Couldn’t remember being this pissed off. Ever. She wanted to play with him? Fuck her. Literally. He would slam inside her and she could wear that smile while he did it. He didn’t give a damn.

“Take your knickers off.” He was breathing hard and fast. Pulling the shirt off his shoulders, he let it drift to the floor.

She hooked her thumbs in the waistband of her thong and wiggled her hips as she slid the red material off her legs. She straightened and placidly stared at his throat.

With his jaw clenched, he unbuckled his belt, jerking it out of its loops and tossing it on the dresser. She wanted to push him, aggravate him—to what end? Was this the reaction she wanted? His anger?

“Now the bra,” he bit out.

She stretched her arms behind her and unhooked it, holding the cups over her breasts with her hands. Her disheveled hair slid over those full tits, making his cock throb. The dark blond hair covering her pussy had him licking his lips.

“Drop it.”

Her smile tightened a bit before ratcheting up a notch, and she dropped the bra at her feet. Dear sweet Lord, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known. And she wouldn’t look him in the fucking eye.

Trevor rubbed his chest. “Allison.” His voice was so hoarse he almost didn’t recognize it. “Look at me.”

Swallowing, she lifted her chin and stared at his forehead.

“Look at me, Allie. Please.”

“I am, Trevor.” The smile slipped, but she tried to hold on to it. And failed. She pressed her lips together in a grimace.

He should be glad. Glad that fake expression was gone. But in its place was a look of such sadness, such despondency. “Look me in the eye,” he pleaded.

She stood there, naked and beautiful, and hesitantly, finally, met his gaze. “What would you like me to do now?”

She could do anything she wanted, demand whatever she liked. He would be clay in her hands.

Damn her. He couldn’t go through with it. Couldn’t touch her like this. He’d tried to push her, get her to surrender, but he was the one who broke. He glanced away, ashamed. “Get dressed.” He grabbed his shirt and jacket, hastily shrugging into them. “I’ll meet you downstairs in the lobby.” He turned on his heel, closed his eyes for a moment, then left the room.

Chapter 15

Allie let out a shaky breath and staggered three steps to the bed, falling onto it. No time for crying. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Still, tears flooded her eyes. Looking up to the ceiling, she blinked them away.

Why had he left? Wasn’t this what he wanted? Yes, he wanted to push her, she got that much, but this was Trevor. He never stopped until he got his way. But he’d stopped with her.

So what? That made him a hero?

She brushed a stray tear from under her eye. With trembling legs, she went into the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. Her cheeks were pale for a change, and she felt sick to her stomach. She walked back into the room and numbly put her clothes back on, shoved the hairpins into her purse. She stared at his belt, lying there on top of the dresser, and left.

Trevor stood near the entrance, waiting for her to join him. He didn’t say a word as he led her out of the casino and into the limousine. Simmons held the door for them, and when Allie climbed in, she stared straight ahead. If she looked at Trevor and his cold, blank face, she’d wind up in tears again.

The car moved forward. As it pulled into traffic, Trevor reached out and grasped her hand, pulling it onto his thigh. Surprised, Allie did glance at him then, but all she saw was his profile.

“I was angry and I hurt you. I’m a complete and utter ass. Please forgive me.” He still didn’t look at her, but he gave her hand a little squeeze.

Now he apologized? Now, after that craziness upstairs? After forcing her to the brink, almost pushing her into fucking him? She pulled her hand out of his and placed it back in her lap but kept her eyes trained on his face. “No.”

He turned then. “What can I do?” His voice sounded raw and jagged.

She shrugged. She tried to plaster the smile back on, but it was gone for good. Her heart had shattered like a piece of glass and she was hollow. “I don’t know.”

He took her hand again and placed it on his cheek. “Tell me what a horrible prick I am. Hit me. Throw something at me. Just forgive me.”

Her tears came now. They flowed freely, and she was powerless to stop them. “I’m not sure I can.”

He pressed his lips into her palm. “I won’t give up until you do.”

Allie didn’t speak again. She was confused, and although still angry, Mags’s words came back to her. His heart’s very fragile, you see. Allie heard the vulnerability in his voice when he asked for forgiveness.

Part of her—the small, stupid part—wanted to comfort him. God, how pathetic. The only thing that was fragile around here was her brain.

Butheapologized. Trevor never apologized.

Did he get an award for acting human? He should have apologized days ago. Should never have said such a hateful thing in the first place.

When they pulled in front of the house, Simmons opened the door. Allie tried to muster a smile for him but couldn’t manage it, so she nodded instead. As she walked across the drive, she felt Trevor’s presence behind her, but he didn’t touch her, didn’t place his hand on her back or elbow. She shouldn’t miss it.

When she walked through the door, Brynn sat waiting on the bottom step with her arms clutching her knees. She hopped up when she saw Allie.

“Where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you for over an hour.”

Allie rushed to her sister, placed her hands on her Brynn’s shoulders. “What’s happened? Are you all right?”

Trevor moved behind her. She could feel his body heat at her back.

“What’s wrong, Brynn?” he asked.

“Monica’s in jail. She needs bail money.”

“Oh my God.” Allie’s hands fell. Trevor gently gripped her arms, offering support. She fought the desire to lean back against him, to take comfort from him. No, she could handle this on her own. She tried to pull away, but his hands tightened. “Why was she arrested?” she asked.