Page 24 of Casino King

I just so happened to have brought my red lipstick with me as a last-minute decision, and when I swipe it across my lips, I can’t help but give myself a sly smile.

If I’m going to be on Alec’s arm, then I need to look like I belong there.

Chapter 8

Alec

Fuck. Me.

Tessa emerges from the hallway and I already regret telling her I was taking her out.

She looks so fucking good. A walking wet dream. I’m going to have to kill every man who looks at her because I know exactly what they’ll be thinking when they are.

Just like on stage, she’s an angel dressed like the devil, tempting me to sin. Begging me to sin.

I have enough of those to my name to buy me a one-way ticket to hell when I die, but tarnishing Tessa will be the bullet train to those fiery gates.

The blood red dress against her flawless tan skin is an all too inviting image for me, and her caramel and honey brown hair is a silken curtain that I can’t wait to grip in my fist as I drive into her.

I want those hazel eyes on me while she has those matching blood red lips wrapped around my cock, taking me so deep inside her hot mouth that I hit the back of her throat.

I don’t do anything to hide how hard I am for her, and when her sexy eyes drop to my lap, I see a blush creep into her cheeks that I can’t wait to feel against my own as I whisper in her ear what I want to do to her.

But I told her I wouldn’t touch her until she’s ready. I want her to beg for me to touch her.

This is on her.

I need to know she needs this just as badly.

Standing, I button my jacket and hold my arm out for her. Looping hers through mine, I pull her close and breathe in her flowery scent, planting a kiss right below her ear. She’s wearing the ruby and diamond earrings I got her.

“You’re stunning, bella.” I feel her shiver at my words and I smile against her skin, stepping even closer so she can feel how hard I am, which sends another shiver through her. Good.

Pulling back, I take in her flushed skin and parted lips. She’s a temptation I’ve never resisted before, but I force away every instinct I have to rip this dress off of her and haul her to my bed so I can keep to the plan I made.

“Let’s go before I decide against letting everyone see you like this.”

“And what about me letting everyone see you?” she asks, her voice soft and breathless, making my blood rush with how come-and-fuck-me she sounds.

She wants to keep me away from other women? Well, fuck me, I’ll welcome her possession just as I know she’ll welcome mine.

Not being able to hold back any longer, I give in to the man I’ve only ever known to be. I take what I want, when I want it. My lips crash down on hers and my arms circle her waist as she falls into me, her body mine to hold. Mine to have. And mine to take care of.

Jesus fucking Christ, her whole back is on display. Spreading my hands out, I feel the little strings holding her dress together, and I think about how easy it would be to rip them apart and free her of the dress. I want to see her.

A soft moan escapes her lips and I tighten my arms around her. My tongue slides against the seam of her lips, the taste of her like the sweet purity of a white rose I fully intend on turning as blood red as her lips.

Her surrender to my touch and my kiss without pause or question is the best gift she could ever give me.

My restraint is teetering on the edge of a fine razor blade, sharpened to kill. If I don’t stop now, I’ll keep going until I’ve carved a place for myself permanently in her so she’ll never be able to forget me.

I’m a selfish bastard who wants this woman so badly, I’m willing to use every ounce of power I have, and everything I know about pleasing a woman to keep her as mine.

With one last sweep of my tongue across her lips, I tease her with what’s to come as I run a single finger down the length of her spine, pulling on the little strings so she knows what I want – her out of this dress.

“Time to go, bella.”

Her eyes flutter open, and they’re so fucking glazed over simply from kissing me, that I hesitate before stepping back.

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