Page 69 of Her Wicked Men

I stared at him as he straightened himself, the elevator doors dinging open as he gave me a devious smirk.

Then he was striding out, leaving me standing there, still reeling from the fiery moment.

I couldn’t get to the bathroom fast enough.

I stood before the mirror after having showered and shaved, making sure I looked as good as I desired for whatever he had in store for me. I’d thrown on some eyeliner and mascara to make my eyes pop, but I wasn’t sure what to do now. I toyed with the tie-up of my bathrobe, wondering if I was supposed to get dressed or wear something sexy, or if he wanted me like this.

“Why couldn’t you be more specific?” I muttered to my reflection.

He said he’d collect me from here. Was I just supposed to keep waiting?

A knock on the door had me smiling stupidly, and I moved to it.

“Yes?”

“You ready?” Zane asked through the closed door.

“Yes.”

“Good.”

I stepped back as the door swung open, and Zane walked in wearing nothing but his dress pants.

A thrill ran up my spine as he leaned on the doorframe, smirking at me as he took in my bathrobe.

“Drop the robe.”

“I’m naked under—”

“Perfect, drop it.”

I swallowed as I obeyed, the excitement fluttering in my stomach as I let my robe fall to the floor.

Those icy eyes rolled over me slowly, his smirk only morphing into a wicked smile as he finally met my gaze.

“Such a beautiful sight you are, stray. Do you remember the safe word?”

“Yes, mouse,” I breathed, the heated look he was giving me making me quiver with anticipation. A part of me wanted to cover myself up, to shield myself from his eyes after everything, while the other wanted to revel in his delight at my bare body. I was not damaged goods in his eyes, and that gave me a strength I needed right now.

“Good. Because if you stay with us, you can’t always expect soft love from us. Enzo and Kieran can treat you well in the bedroom, although I know Kieran can have some darker desires like myself,” he said as he cocked his head at me. “Are you sure you want to give that a go?”

“How dark?” I asked, a slight unease crawling over me.

“Nothing too horrendous if that’s what you’re thinking, bit of BDSM stuff,” he explained. “But we can work our way up to that,guide you into it first. But I can be rough, Veronica,” he stated, his smile falling as he gave me a steeled look.

“Okay.” I nodded, focusing on the tattoo across his chest. The family name, ‘Slade’, was centered there in a fancy font with roses and shading all around it.

“You know you’re safe with us, right? That I’ll never truly hurt you,” he said slowly, and I nodded.

“Do you think you’re healed enough?” he asked.

“Yes, I am. I promise,” I said. I’d been sore those first few days, but my body had adjusted to years of roughness from Callum when he drank, so I’d bounced back. It wasn’t something I should have been proud of, but it was useful in its own way.

“You say the word, little mouse, and I’ll stop. Understand?”

Again, I nodded, and that wicked smile touched his lips.

He lurched forward, crossing the space between us instantly as he crashed his lips against mine. The untamed ferocity had my knees wanting to give out, and I clung to him as he kissed me with raw passion, sucking the air from my lungs.

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