A Six-Pack & a Shot at Love (Love on the Rocks #1)(2)

“You lost that right the moment I found you in bed with multiple women and realized that it wasn’t the first time either.”

“Are we at that again? It was a year ago. Besides, I’ve given you plenty of time to get this photography thing out of your head. It’s a cute hobby, but you’re never going to make anything of yourself alone. You need me, my money, my connections.”

“I’ve been fine on my own. I don’t need you. I don’t want you in my life. It’s been a year. Get over it, Conan.”

His eyes widened, and he clenched his teeth, and she felt as if the wind was knocked out of her. She went from defiant and strong to instantly fearful and timid with this man. He was still in control. She was too weak to fight him head-on like this. It made her realize that men could not be trusted, nor could her judgment of them. Remaining single if she ever truly got away from Conan would be her only choice. Men sucked. God, she just wanted to leave and run. Run, far, far away.

He made a little noise with his tongue and teeth in a condescending tone as he shook his head. The sick son of a bitch truly thought she needed him.

“You’re young and haven’t learned much. If you’d stayed with me—”

“I might be dead, too, just like Aaron.”

His mouth remained open as if she shocked him by stating the truth.

“Be careful, Vin, you’re playing with fire.”

“Only my friends call me Vin, and I’m not scared of you.”

He leaned closer and pressed his lips to her cheek and then her ear. His teeth grazed her skin as he whispered to her in a strong tone that made her shiver.

“I can feel you shaking. The tough-girl act won’t work on me no matter how hard you practiced it while we were apart.”

“I didn’t practice anything. We’re over.” Her voice cracked. He was right. She was scared shitless of this man.

“We’re not over, because I say we aren’t.”

“You don’t own me, Conan.”

He smirked and nipped at her earlobe, making her tighten up even more and shiver with trepidation.

“I popped your little cherry. I have more right than anyone to call you Vin, or whatever damn else I please.”

Her temper flared, and she tried pulling from his grasp. He tightened his hold.

“Easy, little one.”

“Go to hell, Conan. We’re over. Been over for a year.” She felt so angry and frustrated. How could he say such a demeaning thing to her?

“I gave you some breathing room.”

“You’ve been screwing any brainless woman who will spread her legs to get a bit of your money.”

“Jealous?”

“Disgusted.”

He stroked her cheek, and she turned her face to nip at his hand. She was seeing red, so badly she wanted to cause him pain. She had that much hatred for the man who’d gotten her brother killed and who’d broken her heart, stomped on it, and continued to believe he had a hold over her. The slimy bastard.

“If it makes you feel any better, I can’t get you out of my head.” He stroked her lips and then lower over her breast, making her nipple harden. “Even f*cked a few redheads, but they weren’t you, Vin. We can resolve everything tonight. Come back to the penthouse with me.”

She shook her head and pulled from his hold. He released her, and she fixed her dress then her top. “Stay away from me, Conan.”

He smirked and gazed at her body. “We’re going to be spending a bit of time together this week actually. You’ll come to your senses and realize you’ll need me to make it.”

She squinted at him. She thought about the small photography job she’d landed and needed to do on a yacht by the marina in Manhattan. Twenty-five thousand dollars, a one-day gig for some rich guy. Donella St. James had told her about the job, and when Vin met with the client and he’d seen her work, he loved it and hired her for the entire day.

“I don’t think so. I have work, and I just told you, Conan, we’re through.” She went to walk away, and he snagged her upper arm tight.

“I’ll be in Manhattan tomorrow. I’ll be at your photo shoot, and every job you land from here on out because I’m not giving you up. I own you, and you need to be reminded about that. Enough is enough, Vin,” he stated firmly in that damn controlling tone of his.

Those dark gray eyes, that firm muscular jaw all indicated he was in charge and what he said went and nothing else mattered. She tried to pull free as she realized Donella St. James was not her friend after all but another pawn in his games. Conan seemed to own everyone.

As if he understood her thought process, and since she no longer tightened in his hold, the bastard smirked. “That’s right. No use in resisting me, Vin. I’ll always have a hold on you. Get over it.”

She yanked her arm free and felt the tears fill her eyes. She might never get away from him. How could she, working in Manhattan where he knew so many people? He manipulated the system. Used everyone and anyone to get ahead and get what he wanted. He’d used her brother. Claimed to help him when he got out of the service, only to get him addicted to drugs and eventually dead. He would hurt anyone close to her because he wanted to be the closest. Nothing had changed. Nothing. She needed to be smarter than him. She had an idea of his capabilities. She had to think like him.