Eine reizende Diebin (German Edition)

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    “Superstitious rubbish. I can’t believe you give any credence to that stupid legend.”
    “Oh yes?” she challenged him. “Then why can’t I get it off?”
    He shrugged. “You need two hands to open the clasp.”
    Impatiently she cut him off. “I had somebody else try to take it off. And it wouldn’t open. And you know why? Because the legend says only the man who put it on can take it off.”
    “Ridiculous.”
    “Really? Do you think it’s also ridiculous that I can’t stop thinking about you? That I came back, because I couldn’t stay away from you? Do you think that’s normal? All I can think about is being back in your bed.”
    Marcus liked the sound of that. She wanted him. Yes! She’d come back for him, even though she’d stolen the armband.
    He made two steps toward her. “That can definitely be arranged.”
    “Stop!” She held her hand out in front of her to prevent him from coming any closer. “Don’t touch me. Don’t you get it? The only reason I feel like this is because of the magic the armband brings with it.”
    “That’s impossible, and you know it. Why can’t you just accept that you find me attractive? Nothing wrong with that.”
    He remembered the way she’d looked at him that night when he’d stood naked in front of her. Without a doubt, she’d liked what she’d seen.
    “Everything’s wrong with that. I don’t just fall head over heels for a man. This is unnatural. It’s the armband that’s doing it. You have to take it off.”
    Head over heels? He definitely liked the sound of that.
    “Why should I? I’ve been looking for you.”
    “You’ve been looking for me? Don’t you mean the police have been looking for me?”
    He shook his head and earned an incredulous look from Olivia for it.
    “You haven’t called the police on me? Why not? I stole the armband.”
    “I couldn’t. I promised. And besides, I don’t want you to go to prison. I want you to come back to my bed.” Employing a husky tone in his voice, Marcus tried to coax her into giving in, into admitting that she wanted him too.
    Olivia put her hands at her hips. “See, that’s exactly what I’m talking about. You’re reacting completely unreasonably for the situation. It’s the armband that’s screwed with your mind. We have to reverse it.”
    She stretched out her arm and pushed up the sleeve of her sweater exposing the armband on her bicep. “Take it off!” After a second she said, “Please.”
     

10
    (Home) (to Chapter 10 in German)
     
    Suddenly, Marcus stood too close to her, his imposing figure only inches from touching her. Olivia could smell his male scent, no cologne. Just as intoxicating as the way he had smelled the night she’d slept with him.
    Her nipples pebbled, and she cursed her traitorous body yet again.
    “I haven’t stopped thinking about you,” he whispered close to her ear.
    “It’s because of the armband. It’ll go away when you take it off me. Please.” She’d lowered her voice, pleading. She had to convince him. Nothing good could come of this forced attraction to each other.
    “I don’t want it to go away,” he confessed, and she felt his breath on her neck.
    Olivia shook her head. “This is not real, believe me.”
    “This is real.”
    His hand touched her cheek, his gentle fingers stroking her. A shiver ran down her spine while a flame ignited in her belly.
    Effortlessly, he turned her face up to him. In slow motion, his lips descended on hers. Seconds later, she lost all coherent thought and responded to his kiss. Her lips parted and invited him in. His arms pulled her closer into him, and she didn’t have the strength to push him away.
    Or the desire to.
    Marcus pressed his hips against her, making her aware of his erection. She gasped, and he released her lips.
    “Can’t you feel what you do me?”
    “We have to stop,” she begged without conviction.
    “Can’t. I want you, now.”
    “I’m a thief.”
    “I don’t care.”
    He swept her into his arms and walked toward the stairs.
    “What are you doing?”
    “I’m taking you to bed.”
    She struggled in his arms. “Take the armband off.”
    He looked at her determined face.
    “I mean it. Take it off. Now. If you still want me afterwards, I’ll come to bed with you. But take it off first.”
    Olivia counted on the magic of the armband to dissipate instantly, saving her from landing in bed with him again. Not that she didn’t want to be with him again, but she knew if