Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 444

She heard a sharp hiss from Daniel, though Amelia had no idea what she’d bumped into. Without thinking, she snapped, “Serves you right!” Then she asked, “Did I hit you?”

Daniel’s voice was lazy and laced with laughter. “Right in the heart.”

Too bad it didn’t kill you.

Annoyed, Amelia threw a punch at him, but before she could land it, he caught her hand. His other arm slipped around her waist, warm and steady, and with a quick motion, he flipped her so she tumbled into the corner of the couch. His scent—clean and masculine—enveloped her as he leaned in close.

Her eyes were adjusting to the dark now; she could just make out the shape of his face.

Daniel’s arm caged her in, keeping her pinned between the couch cushions and his chest. He hovered just above her, his posture both possessive and teasing, like he might lean down and kiss her at any second.

Frustrated, Amelia shoved at him. “Get off me!”

“Shh—don’t wake Ruby.”

Daniel always knew how to get her where it hurt. Amelia fell instantly silent. If she couldn’t yell, all she could do was glare at him, her eyes bright and accusing even in the darkness.

How could anyone’s eyes shine like that in the dark?

Daniel chuckled softly. “Don’t look at me like that. You’re going to make it very hard for me to behave.”

Amelia barely had time to blink before he brushed a feather-light kiss against the corner of her mouth. “That’s the rent,” he murmured.

She gritted her teeth, hissing his name. “Daniel!”

Even her anger came out as a whisper, sounding more like a pout than a threat. Daniel only laughed. “I’m a businessman, Amelia. I never make deals that lose me money. If you’re staying in my place, you pay the rent.”

She tried to swat him again, but he caught her wrist and pressed it down beside her. He leaned in, closing the space between them. “Stop hitting your landlord,” he teased. “You should be a little more polite.”

Amelia shot him a glare. “I’ve never seen a landlord who tries to seduce his tenant.”

She still didn’t answer, turning her face away, lost in thoughts she wouldn’t share.

At last she spoke, her voice flat. “So you think our relationship should be built on something else. On responsibility or obligation.”

“Daniel, maybe you really don’t understand what it means to love someone.”

Daniel let out a sharp, almost bitter laugh. “I don’t understand?”

“If I didn’t love you, why would I keep coming back? Why would I drop everything, skip meals, just to be with you and Ruby?”

“If I didn’t love you, knowing full well Ruby isn’t my daughter, why would I refuse to walk away? Do you think I get some thrill out of being the fool?”