Tobias had expected this to go much smoother. Any woman would kill to be in Adora’s position, but she acted like he’d forced her down the green mile. His initial plan only included using her to mother his child, but he’d spent the weekend unable to get her off his mind. He knew there was no chance of cutting her loose once he got what he wanted, so he’d set her up in an apartment to use at his leisure. She wouldn’t have to worry for anything, so he didn’t see an issue with it. Without his assistance, she’d end up scrubbing toilets like her mother.
“Don’t look so shocked,” he said. “I’m forty-five, and my parents are tired of waiting for an heir.” He held the car door open for her and waited for her to take a seat, then joined her.
“You shouldn’t have to pay someone to be with you. Why can’t you fall in love like everybody else?”
“It’s not so simple. I don’t do love,” he said. All his life, he’d been taught that love and empathy were weaknesses. The only way to move up the ladder of success was with a ruthless business drive and putting the almighty dollar above all else.
“Then why have a baby?”
“I need someone to pass my wealth to when I’m gone. It’s important to keep the bloodline alive. Otherwise, it was all for nothing.”
“Not everyone has children. Like me, for example, I’m only interested in my education.”
He leaned back against the leather seat and massaged his temples, wondering why he tortured himself. Of all the women in the city, the one he wanted wasn’t on board. He’d dealt with risk assessment and financial forecasting all his life. Taking his offer was in Adora’s best interest, she just didn’t realize it yet. “Did you know I play golf with the president of your college every other Sunday?”
She twisted in her seat, her face blanched. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Tobias sat up straight, leaning into her personal space. “Use your imagination.”
“You can’t do this,” she whispered. “You can’t force me to be with you. Why would you want to?”
“Don’t fight it. I promise you won’t regret taking my offer.” She looked so innocent, her lips full, her eyes wide with uncertainty. Part of him wanted to console her, but he knew he couldn’t backpedal now.
“Why can’t you just leave me alone?” Tears welled up in her eyes. “I’m nobody. And you’re old enough to be my father.”
“Is age that important to you?”
She paused. “No, but loyalty is. I don’t want to be used and discarded. I deserve better than that.”
He’d never had a deep-seated desire for any woman, young or old. Tobias always assumed he was a sociopath like his father, but fuck, he wanted Adora, regardless of her age. She tore down his resolve, making him weak, making him want things he’d never cared about. He held the side of her head, using his thumb to wipe away a tear. “It has to be you, Adora.”
Until he’d first seen her on Saturday morning, the idea of an heir had been a burden on him. But the moment he saw her, it all became clear, and he had to move forward with his plan—to breed her, bind her to him for life.
Tobias used his free hand to drop her school bag to the floor of the car. She tried to reach for it, but he shook his head. He rested his hand on her thigh, making her flinch. This was new for him. He wasn’t used to reluctance or purity in the women he dated.
“What are you doing?” She placed her hand over his, but he didn’t move away.
“You want loyalty? Done. But I need to know everything. Tell me what experience you have.”
“Experience?”
“With men, Adora. I want to know every detail.”
After a brief silence, she answered. “There’s nothing to tell. I have no experience.”
His cock strained in his pants hearing the confirmation.
He knew she only obliged him by answering out of fear. She didn’t want Maria to lose her job or for herself to get kicked out of the college. He was a bastard, always had been.
“What about kissing? Touching?”
She swallowed hard, wiggling in her seat. He decided he liked her shyness. It brought out his protective instincts, something he’d only associated with business. “I already told you I haven’t done anything with men. I’m not a whore, so I don’t know why you think I’ll agree to any of this.”
“Because you value your family and education, no?”
She frowned, but she looked more sad than angry now. “So you’ll rape me?”
He chuckled. “Trust me, by the time I’m ready to deflower your pretty little pussy, you’ll be begging me to fuck you.”
Her mouth fell agape. “You’re wrong.”
“What do you have against me, Adora? Are you not attracted to me? What is it?”
She looked him in the eyes for a moment, but she kept quiet.
“Is it my age?” The thought of her wanting a man her own age brought out an unexpected wave of insecurity.
She exhaled. “Do other women like being blackmailed by you?”
“I’ve never had to. I’m not used to women playing hard to get.”
“This isn’t hard to get,” she said. “This is me refusing to jump to third base. You can’t just buy people—well, not me, anyway.”
Tobias knew she couldn’t walk away because of her loyalty to her mother. But he loved her stubbornness. It brought out the hunter within him, made him feel ten years younger.
“I want a lot more than that.” He moved his hand up higher on her thigh. She had thick legs, all curves he wanted naked and under him. Tobias looked forward to filling her with his cock, fucking her every day and night until she was ripe with his child. When he reached the apex of her thighs, she squealed and braced her hands on his shoulders.
They were so close, only a breath apart, so he leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. What surprised him most—she didn’t pull away.