This was getting ridiculous.

My life was never this dramatic.

I took a harsh gulp from my tumbler and collapsed into my chair.

I'd dreamt about her last night and I'd tried not to remember the details but it was stark in my mind-the panting, the heat, the sweat, her moans, her doe eyes red and teary, her body cherry and flushed.

Bloody hell. We were only a week into this arrangement and I was already losing my goddamn mind.

Hell, I didn't even like the woman. She looked too malnourished, she was too naive and inquisitive, and snappy and quick to jump into conclusions.

What was it about you, Sienna?

Apart from the collateral damage of bearing the Larsen name, I possessed everything most people could only dream of; an empire painstakingly built from the ground up, vast estates, private jets, and a fleet of luxury cars.

Thanks to my genetics being the solitary redeeming aspect inherited from my crackheads otherwise known as parents, I was attractive, or as the People magazine liked to dub me. "As handsome as the devil,"

I was financially adept and wealthy to an incomprehensive level. It made my word law and whatever I wanted I got, consequences be damned. Granted, wielding such immense wealth and power called for instant submission and compliance from everyone.

Everyone except Sienna Bardot.

It had only been a few days but she had managed to rile me up in more ways than one; deriving pleasure from defying me at every juncture, in ways no one else dared to contemplate.

I'd never encountered a woman like her. She was too audacious, demanding, stubborn, and as snappy as an alligator with a sharp mouth I wanted so desperately to fuck into submission.

Was it the allure of the enigma?

There was something about her that left me perpetually restless and no matter how earnestly I delved into it, I couldn't discern what it was.

I downed the rest of my tumbler's contents in one gulp. This wasn't enough. I needed more, I needed this memory impaired. Regardless of what my cock thought of her, it needed to stop.

Groaning to myself, I grabbed my bottle and refilled my glass to the brim. While I contemplated what to do, a brisk knock resounded on my hotel door. "Boss," Ryder spoke over it. "Wade is here."

Thank fuck.

My day was starting to look up. "Let him in."

My hotel door opened and my ex-psychotherapist from a decade ago stepped in with both hands deep in his pocket. "Long time no see, Larsen." He started, walking into my room like he owned the place. "If I'm not mistaken, it's your honeymoon." He cocked his head to the side. "Having marriage problems already?"

Ignoring his jibe, I asked. "Did you get it?"

"You should be with your wife, not drinking away your sanity." He retorted, ignoring my question as well.

If there was one person I couldn't stand in this world, it was Wade Johnson. I frosted him with a glare. "Just answer my damn question."

Staying away from Sienna was my best and only option. I'd never be able to focus on anything else if we shared a room. All I'd be able to think about would be that delicate ass and how much I wanted to put her over my knee and spank it again, and then how much I wanted to hold her down and shove my hard cock inside her wet cunt.

Blood rushed to my cock again, making it swell in my pants. Ah, Christ. I needed to fuck something soon or I was going to lose my mind completely.

I shook my head. "Did you get it?"

Wade nodded.

Relief washed over me. "Give it to me."

He took a seat on my sofa, eyeing me suspiciously. "How often do your dreams occur, Larsen?"

I frowned. I knew it would lead to this. He just couldn't help himself. "I didn't call you here to analyze me, Wade. That relationship ended years ago. Now, give me the damn drugs."

"You should visit the hospital and have your-"

"Wade."

He stopped and stared at me, and then he shook his head. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a white container. His sigh was heavy. "I'm putting my license on the line here."

I gave him a blank stare. "You're being well compensated for it. Give me the drugs."

He handed me the bottle and I popped it open, counting the pills. What? I looked at him with a glower. "This is merely enough."

I needed more. Madeline had started appearing in my dreams again. I needed to fend her off. Having another nightmare in front of Sienna was something I couldn't risk. She had already seen me vulnerable once, it was never going to happen again.

"It's all I could get my hands on." Wade elaborated, leaning back. "But I must warn you, this one is stronger than the last. Take it as prescribed. Twice before bed and nothing after."

I nodded.

"My office doors are always open to you if you ever want to talk about it."

I'd rather kiss a dead raccoon.

"You can leave now, I'm done with you."

He grabbed my decanter. "I think I'll have a drink first."

Where is she?

It was seven in the evening and she still wasn't back yet. I paced our suite, holding my third glass of Bourbon. I didn't even know why I was back here.

Should I call her?

That would be too extreme, she would think I cared.

I didn't.

I drained my glass.

As time passed, my body grew restless and my treacherous mind filled me with awful images of what might have gone wrong.

I shut my eyes in agony.

That fucking girl.

I exhaled heavily, suddenly exhausted.

I sat on the edge of the bed and ran a hand through my tousled hair.

I hadn't seen any debits on my card yet. What if something had happened? I stared at my phone on the table. My thoughts were raging. I should never have trusted her to be on her own.

The door opened.

My heart jumped. I turned. She was back.

With only two bags.

And she was wearing a baseball cap over that red corset sun dress that shouldn't have looked as alluring as it did.

Her eyes lit up when they met mine and she shot me a smile so wide that it knocked me off guard.

"Oh Tristan, you're here."

My heart skipped, I blinked.

Why did she look so happy to see me?

She dropped the bags on the table. "I didn't think I would meet you when I got back. Were you waiting for me? I'm sorry I took so long. They were having this huge carnival in the market and I got carried away. You need to have seen it. it was so fun and most of all it was free because I got an early bird coupon! Look, those friendly ladies at the fortune cookie stand even gifted me friendship beads." She pushed out her hand, showing me the coral beads garnishing her wrist.

I blinked again, trying to process everything she had just spluttered.

Deep crimson flashed across her cheek when I remained mute. "I'm talking too much again, aren't I?" she reached into her purse and handed me my black card. "Here, thank you."

"You didn't use it?"

She shook her head. "I got everything I wanted for free so there was no need spending miscellaneously."

Surprised, I stared down at my card. I honestly didn't know what to make of this. What a strange woman. Day by day she was proving to be nothing I thought she would be.

"Have you had dinner yet?" She suddenly asked, reaching for the bags. She raised them. "I got take out, you'll love it."

I frowned. No. No way.

"That won't be necessary." I said, getting up. "I'm leaving."

Her brows furrowed. "Why, where are you going?"

"Out." I tried to walk out but she got in front of me, opening her arms wide.

"But the take-out."

"I'm not hungry, Sienna." I prompted, sidestepping but she blocked me, biting her lip.

"If you're worried it tastes bad, I assure you it doesn't." She cajoled. "It might not be as grand as Giuseppe's but it's worth a shot." She grabbed my hand, taking me by surprise as she began to pull me towards the balcony. When we entered, she pulled out the stool for me and all I could do was stare, confused at her candor.

When I didn't make a move to sit, her eyes met mine. "You'll have to sit to eat. If you don't like it then you can leave but try first."

Her eyes held no mischief. They were clean, pure. Resigned, I sat. "Make it quick."

"Right, yes." She smiled, opening the bag and setting the side dishes in front of me. "Here." She opened the top of some kind of ramen soup and pushed it my way.

I stared at it and back up at her.

She tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear. "Go on, try it."

Wanting this to be over, I grabbed my chopstick and rolled a portion into my mouth. I savored the taste. it was consumable. I rolled another one.

She slid into the chair across from me. "You like?"

"You're not eating,"

She propped her hand under her chin, staring at me. "I already ate. I had my fill in the market there was a lot of food." Her eyes lowered to my bowl. "Do you like the food?"

I nodded slowly. I'd tasted better but it wasn't the worst. I continued my meal even if it felt like she was boring a hole in my head with her intent stare.

The meat was tender, just the way I liked it.

"Do you want to have kids?"

Her sudden question made me splutter into my plate and choke.

"Oh my- I'm so sorry." She shot up.

"What the hell?" I snapped, coughing. Shit.

"I'm sorry. I was trying to have a conversation."

Irritated, I passed the empty bowl to her and got up. "I'll leave now."

Her lips turned down. "But you're not done yet."

"I am now."

I got up and started back inside the suite. This was a bad idea; coming back here-what was I thinking? "I'm leaving." I told her as I picked up my wallet and made a beeline to the door but she rushed in front of me.

"Tristan wait."

For the love of God. "What."

She nibbled on her bottom lip, allowing the tension stretch so wide between us before she spoke. "I got you something."

My brows shot up. Huh?

She reached for her purse. "I purchased it from one of the local stores." She said, reaching into it for a sinewy hoop adorned with colorful feathers and beads that dangled gracefully. "It's called a dream catcher," she explained, tentatively handing it out to me. "My mum used to buy them for me when I was young. It's a little superstitious but it helps chase away the nightmares, and I figured you might want one since you know, last night and all."

My chest tightened and something in my stomach revolted.

What was the meaning of this?

The atmosphere shifted immediately between us.

A moment passed, followed by another.

She slowly lowered her hand and cleared my throat. "You don't have to take it if you-"

"Do I look that pitiful to you?"

She blinked, as if startled. She shook her head. "No, you don't. I just thought it would help with-"

"With what?" I cut her, walking forward. "You think some cheap trinket is going to fix anything?"

Her brows furrowed. "I thought it might bring some comfort."

"Comfort?" I released a bitter laugh. Who the hell did she think she was? "You really think I'm pitiful, don't you?"

Her lips thinned. "I didn't mean to upset you, and I don't pity you, I just-"

"You just what, Sienna?" I snapped, my blood roaring in my ears. "What's this really about? Is the two million not enough for you? Is this your way of asking for more money? By pretending you give a shit about me? Is that why you didn't use my card? To make me believe you're some unmaterialistic bitch different from the rest?"

"For Christ's sake no. I bought it because I wanted-"

"Give me that." I snatched the object from her grip in a frenzy and smashed it on the floor, splitting it into two.

Her eyes widened. "Tristan!" She exclaimed. "Why the hell did you do that?!"

First the food, now this? What the fuck was she aiming at? "I've told you before, Sienna, whatever you think you're doing, stop it. You're never going to mean anything to me more than the purchased stranger you are. Fucking quit it." I snapped and aimed for the door again.

I needed to be out of here.

"You ungrateful son of a bitch!" She suddenly yelled, blocking my path once again.

"Get the fuck out of my way, Sienna," I snarled, cutting her a warning look.

Her eyes reddened. "For crying out loud! I tried to do something for you, Tristan because I genuinely care for you!" She lashed out, pushing at my chest. "Why do you always have to be so heartless and mean to me?! All you've ever done is hurt me with your words and actions and I hate you for it! I really really hate you!"

I clenched my fists. "Sienna, this is your last warning, get the fuck out of my way."

She pushed my chest one more time. "I swear I hate you!" She screamed, relentless in hitting me. "I hate you, I hate you!" She cried, pounding my chest. "I hate you so much!"

"Stop it, Sienna." I scowled, trying to catch her flailing fists but she pressed on, screaming at me, hitting me.

"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!"

Oh for the love of!

I caught her arms and planted them on the wall above her head, stilling her struggling body. "I said stop!"

She sucked in a quick breath and arched slightly.

For a spare moment, neither of us said a word, our heavy breathing the only sound in the room.

"You're starting to test me, Sienna."

Her fist clenched against the wall. "Fuck you, bastard. I hate you, just die."

I released a threatening growl low in my throat. "You better keep that pretty little mouth of yours shut if you know what's good for you."

Her cheeks were flushed, she looked at me with defiance, tears still licking down her sapphire eyes. "And if I don't? What are you doing to do? Spank me? Choke me? What is the terrifying Tristan Larsen going to do now?"

The air lit and charged around us with tension so coarse I could feel my chest tightening. I wrapped my hand around her delicate throat. I could feel her pulse out of control. "You really wanna know what I'll do?"

Her eyes grew dark. "Do it." She whispered, staring at my mouth. "No balls."

Heat filled my groin. My cock grew rock hard. God, she knew just how to fuck with me. "No balls huh?" I didn't know what came over me but I pulled her to me and I crashed my mouth against hers.