Page 24 of Queen of Spades

My chest gets tight because I do know.

“Rut into me.” I shove my hips back into his.

“I’ve got you, baby,” he coos, nipping my neck. He squeezes my tit almost painfully and grinds deeper.

His salty citrus scent hits my nose, and it amps up my need for him several degrees.

My head is foggy, and my body aches.

It’s way too soon, and yet, it’s happening.

It’s just a wave. They happen sometimes. It’s nothing to panic over.

Except, the more attached I grow to Grady, the harder it is to stomach needing volunteer alphas to ride out my heat.

I don’t want to hurt him, and we haven’t found a pack.

I can’t get close to just anyone, because the reality of my situation hasn’t changed. The Andrettis are still hunting me, and they won’t just come for me.

They’ll kill anyone I get close to.

“What about that fine hunk of man from last night?” Grady muses, flicking his thumb over my nipple. His stance has always been that he’ll fuck anyone he’s attracted to, but he’s told me more than once that he leans heavily toward being attracted to women. “I saw the way you were watching Mr. Forbes on the screen. Tell me you wouldn’t be happy to invite him into your nest. Go on, I dare you to lie to me.”

“I don’t even have a nest. Not really,” I sass.

“Don’t change the subject. You know you can set one up anywhere. You’re adaptable like that. Now, back to my question. You kinda looked like you wanted to pounce.”

“He’s hot, but a little too condescending for my liking,” I admit, running my fingers down to cup his balls. I tug gently, and it makes him buck into me even more deeply. “He asked me out for a drink, which I politely declined.”

“Was this before or after his henchman stepped in?” He moves his hand from my breast to my hip and begins to really work on getting me there. His piercings slide and glide, hitting all my sweet spots.

“Before.” I nod, agreeing with myself as he hits my G-spot. Or maybe I’m trying to convey that I really like what he’s doing. It’s hard to think straight with his pheromones so thick in the air. “While we were still in Spades.”

“And you passed on drinks with one of the most eligible bachelors in Vegas?” Grady chuckles, his warm breath fanning over my throat. “Why?”

My head shakes as my knees fly toward my chest. His crown rakes against my G-spot so perfectly that my entire body trembles.

Grady blocks my knees, pulling back as much as he can, considering we’re locked together. “I asked you a question, baby.” He moves his hand from my hip to my throat and applies the perfect amount of pressure.

I writhe, shoving my hips back and trying to force him where I want him. Unfortunately, he’s very stubborn, and he knows exactly how to tease me without sending me over the edge.

“I will pull your hand off your clit if you don’t answer me,” he growls. “You think I like torturing us both? Fuck, no. But the only time you’re ever real with me is when I’m inside you.”

My nipples tighten in the cool air.

I hate that he’s right.

It makes me feel terrible.

If he’s feeling insecure, then I want to comfort him, but I’m also afraid of letting him get too close. I care deeply about Grady, and a big part of that means I want him to be safe in the long run. It’s also not fair for him to always be so open with me when I struggle to return the favor.

I’ll blame that on my childhood. We weren’t a lovey-dovey family. My parents didn’t toss I love you around like other moms and dads.

“Annika!” Grady barks.

“Because he’s not you. I care about you, you big giant asshole,” I spit out before I can stop myself. “I can’t believe you barked at me.”

“Yeah, well, I can’t either, but your perfume has me half fucking feral.” Grady slams his tip deep while his hand around my throat tightens. It feels like his crown ends up buried somewhere near my diaphragm, but he starts to rake his knot back and forth, and pleasure quickly replaces the bite of pain. “You know why I keep bringing back the accountants and the fucking teachers. They don’t pose a threat. I know you well, Anni Girl. You need excitement and maybe a little danger.” His thumb tightens on the side of my throat, and my vision goes hazy. It also amps up every feeling and sensation.

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