Claimed by the Sicilian Tycoon (Criminal Seduction #3)(51)

“Clear?” she asked. “Clear? You know nothing. I’m leaving.”

The anger intensified. The image of her leaving made him want to hit something. “You will walk away from me because I refuse to give you what you want?” he grated, “Something you said you did not want!”

“And that is?” Lyra whispered.

“Flowers and f*cking hearts,” he growled. “This is what it is all about, no?”

“When did I ever say I wanted that?”

“It is quite obvious,” he said. “Despite your hard girl exterior, when it comes right down to it you are like all the rest.”

“The rest?” She tossed her hair and glared, the light of battle sparking in her eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself. I don’t want your hearts or your flowers or any of that. I just don’t want you.”

“And you will do what?” he demanded, her words making the anger throb. “Find someone else. You want someone else?”

She closed her eyes and pursed her lips. “What if I do? It’s no concern of yours.”

“You bitch,” he breathed.

Her eyes snapped back open. “Whatever.”

“They won’t make you feel like I do,” he grated. “They won’t know how to make you scream.”

She stepped back, into the lobby, eyes narrowed. “I’m sure they’ll do just fine. In fact, I bet they’ll have me quivering under them in no time.

The image of her with another man, lying beneath them, gasping their name… Andros barely swallowed down the anger. “You would not dare.”

“You don’t want me, so why shouldn’t I find another man?” she challenged.

“You know I want you,” he roared. “Haven’t I told you this?” Fuck, why wasn’t she understanding him? Why couldn’t she just accept what he was offering? How could she ever think he would allow another man to have her?

“Your own personal little toy,” she taunted.

He followed her into the lobby, moving around so that her access to the door was blocked. “Yes mine—”

“For you to put down and pick up when you feel like it.”

“No! I want what you offered in the very beginning,” he said. “Remember what you said all those months ago? Your list?”

“Of course I remember the list,” she said. “It doesn’t work anymore, though. I can’t be with you until you get tired of me all over again.”

“I will not. Haven’t I said so?” he said, voice dropping. How could he convince her? “Lyra, I could never tire of you.”

Her eyes widened. She gasped. “Oh my God, do you have any idea what you’re saying? You don’t, do you? You just do not get it.”

“I—”

“Just get out of my way. I am so done with this.”


“Lyra—”

“Now!”

Her voice was harsh, verging on a screech. Andros realized abruptly that, in her current frame of mind, she was not going to do as he wished, and he had no idea how he felt about that, or even how to make her change her mind. And part of him started wondering why the f*ck he was even bothering. He was rich, desirable, and he could have any woman he f*cking pleased. So here he was. Putting it all on the line for this one, and she refused him? It was unacceptable.

He stepped away from the door. “Fine, do as you please,” he grated, anger and frustration making him speak before he could think otherwise. “Fuck every man in London for all I care.”

“Maybe I’ll do just that,” she hissed. “There’s bound to be another Sicilian billionaire somewhere.”

Andros inhaled a sharp breath. Her beneath another of his countrymen? Her screaming as that man filled her with his length? “You wouldn’t f*cking dare,” he raged. “Do you have any idea how much that would anger me?”

“Oh careful, Andros,” she taunted. “One might say your jealousy is starting to show again.”

“Jealousy?” he demanded. “When have I ever been jealous?”

“Oh, let me see. The first time you took me to dinner?”

“I was not.”

“The incident with Mitch? You’re mine, Lyra, You belong to me.”

“Because you do!” he stated, and realized just how true that was. Lyra might be walking out the door, but he resolved there and then that it would not be long before he had her back in it. If she needed a few more months to stew, a few more months to miss him, then that was what she would have.

“I belong to no one.”

The plan now firm in his mind, Andros stepped away from the door. “Tell yourself that as often as you want, Rossa. I can bet that when you close your eyes at night you think of me. When you wake up in the morning how long until I enter your thoughts? You are the one who doesn’t get it. We’re imprinted on each other. This crazy relationship of ours has changed us both.”

“Not enough.”

“Clearly not enough for you to come to your senses yet. You need time. I will give it to you.”

“I don’t need any time. I’m leaving.”

“Then leave,” he said, gesturing to the door. “But know this, we’re far from through, Lyra. Say what you f*cking like.”