She gives me a wicked half smile. “That’s too bad. Because it’s not for you.” She moves to step past me.

Snap.

Before I can even form a single thought, I’ve grabbed her arm, yanked her to me, and gripped her throat.

“Everything you have is for me, little brat. Everything.”

10

CARINA

The one word everything takes all the air from my lungs. I’m sure it’s not helping that Gilly has his hand wrapped around my throat. I should be screaming at him or even smacking and clawing him, but I’m so shocked I stand there unmoving, letting him keep his firm grip on me. His hold is letting me know he’s in full control. Not only that; anyone could catch us right now.

“Gilly?” I try to say his name without emotion, but it comes out in a moan instead. Why can my body and mind never stay on the same page when it comes to this man? No matter how many times I tell myself that he and I will never be, the second he touches me, I melt. Right now, I’m a damn puddle.

“Everything,” he repeats before he starts to move while keeping his grip on my throat.

His other hand wraps around my waist, my feet leaving the floor. Within a few steps, he has us inside the bathroom. He puts me down on my feet, but his hand around my throat never leaves, even when he turns and flips the lock on the door. The sound echoes loudly in the small powder room. I’d never thought the bathroom was small before, but I’d also never been inside it with a man the size of Gilly.

“Then what are you going to do with me?” I finally pull it together long enough to get the words out. That’s only because those cool blue eyes of his left mine for a moment. When they lock back on me, I freeze again. How does he do this to me?

Love. The one word flits through my mind. As much as I want to deny it, that's the truth. I’m in love with him, and it’s why I’m so pissed and wanting to push past what will never be.

He steps into me, backing me up until my ass hits the edge of the sink. Then he lifts me without saying a word and yanks my dress up until my silky black panties come into view. His grip on my throat tightens. I should be telling him to stop, but that’s the last thing I find myself wanting him to do.

“What are you wearing?” he grits out.