Page 89 of Sinful Blaze

Her cheeks go pink. Does she know how alluring she can be when she’s like this? Soft and warm and vulnerable, in my arms and not fighting me at every turn?

Although I’d be lying if I said I don’t love her fire, too.

I also love the way the necklace looks on her. My name fucking belongs there, softly nestled against the tender skin of her throat.

It’s not a ring, but it’s damned near close. Anyone who runs in my circles will know that this is my woman. Off-limits. Exclusive to me and me alone.

And anyone who doesn’t run in my circles will learn the lesson soon.

Daphne leans up on her tiptoes to press a soft kiss to my mouth. I let her do it without giving into my instincts for more.

I don’t need to claim her right now—the necklace is doing a perfect job of that on its own.

But she’s delicious and she’s mine. All mine to taste whenever and wherever I want to.

Soon enough, I will.

“Okay. Yay. Thank you. I guess I, uh… I should go get changed for dinner.” She eases away from me with a coy smile. Her hand lifts to touch her necklace, and her smile brightens.

Mine does, too.

Worth every penny.

34

DAPHNE

Yup, it’s still there.

Just like how it was there three minutes ago.

And thirty seconds before that.

I can’t stop touching my new necklace, mostly to remind myself that yes, it’s real. That did happen. Pasha totally gave me expensive jewelry.

And then he kissed me.

I wouldn’t have been opposed to another “tabletop tenderizing,” as Hazel would so crudely word it, but I’m actually kind of glad he didn’t make a move for it. It’s one thing to know I’m the subject of his fantasies—it’s a whole other thing to know he enjoys me in the small moments, too.

At least… I think he does? I hope he does? It’s honestly a bit confusing with him at times, so I’m just going to ride this as it rolls.

“Gawdayum.”

I’m startled out of my daydreaming by Hazel in the office doorway, one hand clutching her coffee mug and the other dramatically clasping her own throat.

“Girl! Gurl! What is this?” She gestures at the necklace, slack-jawed. “Who? What? When? And why haven’t you married him yet?”

“First of all, how do you know it’s a ‘him’?”

Hazel looks at me like I’ve just said the dumbest thing ever. “Because your sister isn’t exactly flush with cash and your mother would sooner wear that herself than give it to anyone else, least of all you.”

She has a point.

“So?!” She plops down in another office chair and wheels over to me, sipping her coffee with an excited grin. “Details!”

I know I’m blushing. I’m also toying with the pendant for the thousandth time. “Well, Pasha just?—”

My cell phone starts buzzing on my desk. I’m hoping it’s Pasha, but…

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