The Marriage Merger by Jennifer Probst Page A

been turned, he pushed away from the desk and focused his attention on her. His eyes gleamed with heat and a touch of menace.
    She remembered watching a show on snow leopards.
    The sleek grace of their bodies as they stalked their prey was a bit teasing at first, before they revved up the intensity to such a high level that the prey was unable to run and just stood there waiting to be eaten.
    That’s how she felt. Julietta didn’t even realize she was retreating until her back slammed against the wall. The satisfied smirk on his lips told her he knew how he affected her, and he intended to do everything possible to prove his point. Slowly, he caged her in by pressing his palms flat against the wall beside her head. Her body lit up and begged to play. The lace of her bra scratched against her sensitive nipples, and a drugging heat pulsed through her body.
    Furious at her weakness, she rallied. “Move any closer and you’ll regret it.”
    one golden brow arched. “Like this?” With one grace-ful motion, he eased her legs apart and pressed his hips to hers. His heavy erection stole her breath.
    “you’re a bastard.” She craved to slide her fingers into those thick waves and surrender. The knowledge that her body would eventually freeze up and torture her made her blink back furious tears. “Why are you doing this? Do you have to conquer a woman’s ‘no’ to feel like a man? Fine, get it over with. Let’s have a repeat of last night so I can prove to you we don’t have the right chemistry.”
    His eyes softened a bit, and he stroked her cheek with tender motions. “My sweet, we have the perfect chemistry.
    I have never wanted a woman as badly as I want you. How long has it been since you responded to a man?”
    She pushed against his chest but he didn’t budge. “Last week.”
    “Tell me the truth.”
    Humiliation flooded her in waves. Mio Dio, she couldn’t do this any longer. Knowing her honesty would finally make him leave, she spat the words in his face. “Never! I can’t respond to any man, and I never have. Are you satisfied now?
    Will you leave me alone and stop playing these games?”
    He pressed his forehead to hers in a soothing gesture.
    “Thank you, Julietta,” he whispered against her lips. “Thank you for telling me the truth.”
    She kept her body stiff and waited for him to finally pull away. When he began pressing tiny kisses to her brow and down her cheeks, she bit back a sob. “Please let me go.”
    “No. Not yet.” He tortured her with slow caresses over her hips, sliding his hands under her jacket and stroking the thin silk of her blouse. His touch was heated and strong as he kneaded her muscles. His mouth drifted near her ear and played with her lobe, licking, biting gently, until a slow burn simmered under her skin. “you’ve been screwed, baby, and not in a good way. Assholes have made you feel there’s something wrong with you. Tied you up in so many knots that your body is stuck.”
    She took a deep breath, quickly twisted and brought her knee up. Unfortunately, he anticipated the move and kept her tightly pinned. His rock-hard erection pressed against her core, and a low animal moan escaped her lips. Where had that come from? His soft laugh stirred the strands by her temple, and unbelievably, she grew wetter. “I could show you things you’ve been missing,” he taunted. His tongue licked the inner shell of her ear and a stream of hot breath caused goose bumps to pepper her flesh. His hands continued to massage her hips and slide behind to cup her buttocks, forcing her to arch on tiptoes. “Things that can free your delicious body and let you surrender to pleasure.”
    She panted. “Like sexual discrimination and harass-ment? oh, goody.”
    “Let’s put that mouth to better use, shall we?”
    His lips traveled across her cheek and took her mouth.
    He nipped at her lower lip. The quick pain startled her and she allowed him full access. This time, he didn’t claim and