I also told myself after Angelina, I would never have anyone close to me like that again. Someone who was meant to be your partner, someone you were meant to trust, but who ended up being the biggest cause for pain in your life. I am no angel, I know that, but I’m loyal and honest to a fault. And maybe that’s what draws me to Little Red. She’s genuine and honest right down to her bones. I don’t think she could lie even if she was paid to do it.

Thinking about her soft skin under my hands and the way she whispered my name, like she was begging me to touch her, is enough to get me hard all over again. I need to adjust myself as my cock begins to throb in my pants at the mere thought.

“Are you listening to me?” Carter asks, and I rub my eyes. I’m tired. I’m tired because we still can’t find the Russo brothers and they are really grating on my nerves. But I am also tired as I hardly sleep at night because all I want to do is watch her. She is my addiction, and I need to have my hit.

“Yes, I am listening,” I grit out to Carter, as he smirks at me and shakes his head.

“Have you fucked her yet?” he asks bluntly, and my nostrils flare as I glare at him. The urge to punch his smarmy face is strong right now, but I know he is trying to get on my nerves, so I remain calm.

“I am not having that conversation with you today, and don’t talk about her like that unless you want my knife in your throat.” While I haven’t touched Annie, fuck, I want to. I want her underneath me, on top of me, splayed out across my desk. I want her in every position, in every way. I want her begging for me and giving me everything in return.

“Whoa, okay, but I see the way you look at her.” Carter shakes his head, a grin on his face because he knows that I am totally and utterly fucked over for this woman.

“How the fuck am I looking at her?” I ask him, playing dumb like I don’t know I look at her like I want to bow at her feet.

“Like you want to fuck her, marry her, and make little baby Dantes,” Carter says, laughing as I look at him and scowl.

“Been married once and look how that turned out,” I huff to him as I shuffle the paperwork in front of me.

“Okay, perhaps you just want to fuck her, then.” Carter’s trying and succeeding at pushing my buttons.

“Like I said, don’t talk about her like that.”