All He Needs (All or Nothing) by C.C. Gibbs Read Free Book Online

unmistakable censure in her voice.
    “And the other part?”
    He merely shrugged. “I don’t know. You have to admit, after knowing each other only a few days, full clarity wasn’t likely. At least for me.”
    “So you ran,” she said, each word bitter and metallic.
    There was a hard flash in his eyes. “Don’t start. You ran too.”
    He had new hollows under his cheekbones, faint shadows under his eyes, a coiled restlessness beneath his disciplined façade. Was it possible he’d been as wretched as she? That he really had been celibate? She was suddenly drained of anger, as if a timer had run down on some monumental struggle and she was left weak but alive. “Have you really not slept with anyone since Hong Kong?”
    He shook his head. “I haven’t.”
    “I don’t know if I can believe you.” But the most amazing wave of endorphins washed over her like a fresh breath of sea air.
    “Believe me. Ask Max. I’ve been a total ass to everyone at our Paris office.”
    “Because you missed me.”
    “Like crazy.” That at least was true; all the rest was pure anarchy.
    The word
crazy
bulldozed away the entire devastating wreckage left behind from those photos, the bloodlust forvengeance, the flood of sadness that had swamped her life. It characterized the turbo-charged intensity of their relationship. “How crazy,” she whispered.
    He smiled, knowing what she meant. “Almost—but not quite—that crazy. We’ll buy some condoms.”
    “I haven’t said yes yet.” But her breath was coming fast.
    He saw it, heard it, saw as well her bright green eyes that held the sunshine missing from his world, her lush red mouth that offered the promise of pleasure he’d come halfway around the globe to possess, the beauty of her pale face that had filled his dreams. He leaned forward, reached across the small table, and took her hand. “Say it.” A low, hushed command. “Say yes.”
    She pulled her hand away, his touch electric, her body responding like Pavlov’s dogs. Her mind, fortunately, was still partially open for business. “Tell me what you mean by exclusivity,” she said, with a willful jut to her chin.
    He sat back, gratified and relieved, understanding that it was just a matter of negotiation now. “It means anything you want it to mean.”
    “Then I want a mutual exclusivity. One that either of us can revoke by e-mail.”
    A soundless whistle. “That’s cold.”
    Low-stoked anger glowed in her eyes. “You’d know about cold.”
    So
not interested in renewing the argument of who left whom, his voice was smooth as silk. “We should be able to manage that.”
    “I should hope so. What’s the point otherwise? You dowhat you want and I wait for you? That would be stupid of me.”
    He smiled. “Agreed.”
    “This isn’t amusing, Dominic. I’m not even sure I believe you can follow your own terms,” she said crabbily. “So if this is all just bullshit so you can get me into bed, I’d rather not play this game.”
    “Forgive me. I’m dead serious. Have security follow me. I’ll pay for it.”
    She gave him a pointed look. “Why would I trust them when you’re paying them?”
    “I’ll give you the money,” he offered, quickly adapting. “Hire whomever you want.”
    “I don’t want your money.”
    “If you have a better idea, I’m listening.” Unruffled, accommodating to infinity.
    She grimaced. “You’re missing the point. I don’t think you can change.” She was no prude, but Dominic had no scruples when it came to kink. It was a major part of his life.
    “I told you I’d give up all that. I did.”
    “For me? Oh, hell, bleep that. I’ve been drinking.”
    “No, that’s okay. It
was
mostly for you, although maybe it was just time to shut it down. Don’t ask me to understand. I don’t. I just know I’ve missed you.”
    Maybe he’d pushed all her pity buttons. More likely she’d been delusional in thinking she could withstand temptation when he was so close and so