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He didn’t stop--he couldn’t He couldn’t take away her pain, but he could try to htened just before her knees buckled and she knelt before hiht to focus, the vision before hier twisted Hell, the world no longer turned Tony could die as long as the last thing he saas her eyes

"You’rehis claim, but once the words were out, he didn’t try to retract the so hard You have no idea of the restraint I’hts went back to Baldwin Had the two of them ever been like this? He clenched his teeth, closed his eyes, and fought to keep the red at bay "Yet all I can think about are his hands on you"

"Tony, I’ht I’m with you"

"But you weren’t You ith hi her closer, his voice hardened, and he bathed her cheeks in war about Chester!"

There, he’d said it The truth was out Without doubt, he was a selfish bastard, and the idea of Claire being with anyone else filled hiuish Before Tony could look away, Claire’s hands fra the tirade in his head "I wasn’t with you We weren’t together"

The sound that came from his throat was unintentional Truthfully, he’d tried to remain silent, yet Claire’s words didn’t ether

She continued, "But now…" Her lips touched his "Noant to be Please, Tony"

Thoughts weren’t for Tony kneith one hundred percent certainty, was that he wanted her He wanted her more than he wanted air If she wanted that too, all walls were down Could she handle it? Could she handle him--the real hi back This would be the real him, raw and uncensored Claire would either run for her life or be his for eternity It was too late to turn back

As Tony’s fingers seized her loose, daentle fell off of Tony’s radar o He couldn’t turn down his desire if he wanted, and at thisher head back, he exposed her slender neck With little concern for his ferocity, his lips attacked the soft skin as a shocked moan escaped her lips She’d asked for this, but was she ready? He needed to know "Are you sure?"

He didn’t pause or wait for her answer; instead, with one hand still entangled in her long, dark hair and the other pulling her closer, he continued to claim the woman before him

Finally, her words rose above the internal one The world was no longer red, yet it wasn’t clear Tony wasn’t thinking anything through… everything was visceral and pried to him

Yes, she could be her ooman It was true: Tony liked her independent spirit However, in the grand scheme, that was irrelevant All that mattered was that she was his--wholly and coave in to his desires, he knew one of two things would occur When the night was done, Claire would either be his like never before, or she’d leave hi noasn’t an option Continuing his unrelenting claiainst his chest Their hearts beat together as he wildly repossessed everything before hirowl, "You are mine"

When he released her hair, Claire’s lips touched his neck and her hands caressed his shoulders He couldn’t contain the rumble from the back of his throat as he tried to think, tried to reason Claire wasn’t fighting--she was responding Hell, she wasn’t just responding She was seducing hi?

It was love and it was forever

Tony loved Claire more than he could articulate; however, they both knew, his love wasn’t all wine and roses He was daedies--the cause was irrelevant Tony was a sick son-of-a-bitch who had certain require to submit to his requirements and follow his rules This was her last out, the last chance If she didn’t run now, he would never let her go

Tugging once again on her hair, she gasped as he tipped her head until their eyesIn those eyes, he’d seen fear and love Tonight, he saw passion, a heat that threatened any re it all on the table, he demanded, "Say it!"

Behind the passion and fire, her confusion surfaced Tony explained, "Say you’re reen pools of desire Her voice resonated above the sound of their breathing and the frantic beating of their hearts "Yes, Tony, you are mine and nobody else’s"

He stared What did she just say? You are mine and nobody else’s

Tony tried to focus It wasn’t what he wanted; it wasn’t what he expected, yet it was perfect Claire was er than he’d ever known No other woman could or would accept him No one ever had Not that he’d tried The realization struck him with a treetting herself into, but she wanted it She wanted him