Bartered (The Encounter #1)(32)

He made a deep laugh, causing me to react all the more. Damn this overheated body. Last night was intense, but I didn’t expect myself to go haywire each time he called me, too. I mean, it was bad enough when he was around me.

“Does it bother you that I shared your bed?”

Well…yes, it did. But instead of saying that, I ended up telling him something else, “I don’t know. I was asleep.” The image of him holding me close kept appearing in my mind, and each time it did, I’d get these butterflies in my stomach.

“I didn’t intend to, but when you asked me not to go, I couldn’t resist the invitation, either.”

What? I had asked him to stay? How come I couldn’t remember it? I mean, I remember falling asleep on his chest in the bathtub while he was washing me, but that was where my memory stopped.

“Oh… Well, I don’t remember that part.”

Hugo made a toe-curling laugh. “I’d love to do more of that every night if you like. I love how you taste on my tongue, ma belle.”

Flashbacks of the beach and him in between my legs—the carnal images of us—left me panting, breathless.

“We’re invited to go to a yacht party tonight. I’ll be home at five, and we can leave around six. Is that good enough time for you to get ready?”

“Yes, it should be enough.”

“You’re all I thought about today, and I can’t wait to see you again tonight,” he said, sounding like he truly meant it. “Dress for me tonight, Isobel.” It was the last thing he said before he hung up, leaving me wondering what had just taken place in that conversation.

Dress for him? Damen had never asked me that before. How did one dress for a man? I had no clue how to perceive his request. I wasn’t sure if he meant not wearing underwear or dress like a slut, though maybe the latter. He did go berserk with that small dress I wore last night. I think it even drove him over to the edge.

He was the mine kind of guy. Possessive and extremely demanding and, not to mention, dominating. The kind of man I had told myself I wasn’t attracted to, and yet, here I was, undeniably attracted to the man who was the epitome of it. I was a hypocrite. No, scratch that—I was a confused hypocrite. Because, as much as I told myself not to give in an inch, there was something about him I couldn’t resist, either.

Take a chance.

Touch me.

Kiss me.

I dare you.

I had dared to kiss him. Every inch of me had sung, had been alive, when I pressed my lips against his. It was like a magnet, I couldn’t help being drawn to him, even if I was protesting, kicking and screaming all the way. I still ended up in his arms. God help me because, when he was doing all those things to me and my body, all I could think about was him. It was beyond troubling, to say the least, that the man I loved didn’t enter my conscience whatsoever.

“How did it go with Hugo last night?” Elena sprung out of nowhere, joining me on the outdoor patio before pulling the chair across from me and sitting comfortably. “I’ve never seen him that angry with any of his girlfriends before.”

Smiling at her, I shook my head in denial. “You’re being silly.” If she only knew what had gone on between Hugo and I last night… I still couldn’t fathom how easily tempted and persuaded I had been to let him have a meal of me out in the open. I hadn’t been able to stop him because he had been weaving magic through my veins, and I was still feverish from it. The aftereffects of being served a healthy dose of Hugo Xavier—ism.

“Men can’t take it when their women are hot and naughty.”

I wasn’t Hugo’s woman, but Elena didn’t know that.

“He was just being weird.”

“Weird? Or maybe he really likes you,” she pressed on with colorful exaggeration. “Or maybe you’re the one for him. I mean, he looked angry and devastated at the same time. Poor cousin, if I wasn’t so shocked about his reaction, I might’ve laughed and teased him about it, but that would’ve been cruel.”

“The one? Uhhh, no.” I stared back at her, beyond stunned. “We’re just having fun, and come on, have you forgotten this is your cousin we’re talking about here? The great Hugo Xavier.”

“I’m telling you, you’re different. So even if you believe it or not, just be prepared. ‘Cause my cousin has his own way of handling things. Be careful, though, because once you mess up, he’ll leave you, and you wouldn’t even know it until it’s too late.”

Well, that was a lot to wrap my mind around. Nevertheless, whatever happened between Hugo and I, I was still walking out when the contract was up.





Chapter 19


Isobel


Searching for the perfect dress wasn’t a problem, nor was getting ready or figuring out the best way to do my hair that would complement my dress. My problem was me. Because, the entire time I was getting ready, I could hear Hugo’s voice saying, “Dress for me tonight, Isobel.” And I was the idiot who chose something that I knew would please the blasted man. So, yes, I was worried because I couldn’t even help myself. If I was spiraling slowly, how long would it take until Hugo fully succeeded with his mission? This was day two with twelve more days to go. Could it be possible that I had bitten off more than I could chew?

Aside from my questionable emotional and mental state where Hugo was concerned, the dress I chose to wear for the yacht party tonight wasn’t overkill. Though, it was definitely a dress one would end up truly being ravished by her lover in by the end of the evening.