Chapter 41

She sounded so near tears that Tyson decided to give her a little space, if that's what she needed. He eased up and let her slide off his lap, onto the floor. She kneeled in front of him with her skirt hiked up to her waist, and glared at him through wet, spiked lashes. Black mascara smudged under her eyes and ran down her cheeks. He reached out to wipe the black streak off her face. She jerked away from him, but he caught her arm and pulled her closer, between his spread knees.
Pressing his thumb against the skin of her cheek, he wiped the mark from her face. His hungry gaze took in her disheveled state. "So fucking beautiful. I have to have you in my bed tonight."
She stared at him, her eyes huge. "What if I say no?"
"Not an option."
Anger made the green of her eyes sparkle. "Or what? You'll toss me out onto the street where Franco Delgado can get me? Is that the alternative you're threatening me with?"
Tyson tightened his fingers on her arm, starting to weary of her constant denials. He was willing to give her some slack given her former independence, but he wouldn't allow her much. Especially not with the state of his cock, which was urging him to get on with things.
"I've told you my position Claudia, you aren't going anywhere. Not to Delgado and not to the feds. Hell, you won't even be going for a walk around the block without my permission. It's time to stop the dramatics and just accept things as is. I've created a situation in which the only safe place for you is here in my penthouse, which includes my bed. There is no choice here."
"You'd rape me?" she whispered.
His Claudia was as forthright as her profile had described her. He didn't care to dance around subjects either, nor did he want to frighten her unnecessarily. But if she demanded the truth then he would give it to her. "That's up to you, baby. You enjoy my touch. Your body reacts to me as though made for mine. I can make our sexual encounters entirely enjoyable for you if you let me."
She swallowed, her throat moving nervously. "And if I don't?"
"Then I'll just have to spank you until you do."
She stared at him, her brain rapidly trying to come to some kind of solution. She clearly didn't want to give in to him. Not because she didn't desire him (she very much did at that moment), but because her strong, independent mind couldn't imagine submitting to him in any way. Most certainly not sexually. Yet she knew there were no other options. She couldn't physically best him and he wasn't about to let her look for a way to escape, as he had no doubt she would start searching for the moment he was out of her sight.
Licking her lips, her gaze slid away from his. "Can I please clean up? Do you have a washroom I can use?"
Her clever mind found the only other option. Delay the inevitable and appeal to his sense of humanity.
"Yes," he said, standing. She immediately scooted backward so he wouldn't touch her. He reached a hand out to her, which she took after some hesitation.
He helped her stand and waited while she tugged her dress back down over her hips. Then, still holding her hand, he led her through the living room, past the kitchen and down the hall toward the bedrooms. She tried to stop in front of the main floor washroom, but he refused to release her, pulling her toward a set of stairs leading up to the second floor of his penthouse.
"Where are you taking me?" she asked sharply, afraid he intended to take her to bed right away.
"I want you in my space. You can use my private washroom."
She relaxed a little and allowed him to pull her up the stairs. She gasped in appreciation when they stepped into his bedroom, which took up most of the top floor and was surrounded by windows. She spun around on the spot staring out into the city, lit up with twinkling lights. Forgetting about her predicament for the moment, she walked to the window and pressed her hands against the glass.
"I've never seen anything so beautiful," she whispered in awe.
Tyson approached her, enjoying the sight of her in his bedroom. He wanted her naked and sprawled out on his bed, a huge king plus that sat on a platform and dominated one corner of the room, but he was willing to wait a few more minutes if it meant letting her become more comfortable. He kneeled on the plush carpet next to her feet. She didn't notice until he reached down and pressed one hand against the back of her knee while the other lifted her ankle. She gasped and swayed, pressing her palm more firmly against the glass window so she wouldn't fall. He slid her high heel off.
Leaning forward he did the same with her other shoe. She was stiff with apprehension, but she didn't try to back away from his firm touch. He placed her barefoot on the floor, watching as her toes curled into the soft carpet. Her tiny toenails were painted bright pink. He wanted to lick her toes and feel them curl against his tongue the way they did in the carpet.
His face was so close to her hips that when he breathed in he could smell the sweet, spicy aroma of her cunt mixed with the odour of vanilla lotion. He had to dig his fingers into his thighs to keep from dragging her down into the carpet and tearing her clothes off. Instead, he stood up, towering over her and gestured to the only side of the room without windows.
"The ensuite," he said, taking her hand and guiding her toward the door.
He flipped the light on, illuminating a modern facility with a shower and huge sunken tub as well as a marble vanity with dual sinks. The other side of the ensuite led through to a massive walk in closet that took up the rest of the second floor. She stared around for a moment, dazed.
Finally she tilted her head and looked up at him. "Can't I use the washroom downstairs?"
"No," he responded immediately. "I've told you how things will be between us, Claudia. Start getting used to it. I'll give you some extra time if you decide you want to take a shower." He indicated the shadowy doorway that led to his closet. "Back there you can find my clothes if you wish to change. They'll be too big, but they'll have to do until we can arrange a wardrobe for you. I'll send Daniel over to your place tomorrow to pick up some things."
"Awesome," she snapped. "So you're going to kidnap my stuff as well as me? That's really great."
Tyson pulled her around to face him. Reaching out he took hold of her jaw and tilted her face up. In a controlled voice, he said, "Don't test my patience too far Claudia, it's not unlimited. In fact, I've never been known for my abundant tolerance, but I'm trying with you."
She jerked her chin out of his hand and stepped away from him. He allowed her to break his hold on her arm. She crossed her arms over her breasts, pushing them up in a way he enjoyed. "You could have fooled me. If this is you being patient then you need some lessons buddy."
Tyson stared down at her for a moment and then laughed, his deep voice booming. Surprised, she jumped back. He shook his head, grinning. "I have absolutely no doubt you'll be teaching me patience by trial woman. Let's hope you survive the lessons."
With that he turned and left her alone, closing the door firmly behind him. He would go downstairs and set the alarm and see about getting her something to eat for later. For now, she could be alone to contemplate her future with him. Hopefully she would somehow come to terms with things. He really didn't want to hurt her, but he feared it might be inevitable. She was unpredictable and had an explosive, quick temper.