Page 7 of The Duplicity of Thieves

“Where is she? Biiiiitch!” Clo’s voice calls out for me.

His fingers slide out easily, and he puts them in his mouth. I watch with heavy lids as he licks my juices from each one, making a popping sound. The stranger leans down, his hot breath fanning over my cheek.

“Do you still think it’s a mistake?” His voice is dark and raspy. It takes a few seconds for my mind to catch up to my body. Mistake or not, I’m too deep to care. Without waiting for an answer his mouth touches mine, teasing me to continue this game we’re playing.

“You look like a divine goddess when you come,” he smirks on my lips. He probably says this to every girl he seduces in a shitty pub, and I don’t care. An old feeling I’ve forgotten about dusts itself off and resurfaces. I feel alive. That wasn’t even sex. I can’t imagine what that’s like with him.

“Biiiiiiiiitch!” Clo yells, her voice echoing in the street.

“I’ve got to go.” I straighten my clothes and hurry toward the entrance of the alley.

“You never told me your name,” he calls from behind me.

I stop and glance back. He’s got his coat back on, hands shoved in the pockets with his tongue in his cheek, still looking at me like I’m his prey.

He’s definitely not from around here. Men here are sleazy and boring. The clean look and drop-dead gorgeous features scream privilege. I’ll never have to see this man again. Especially after I disobeyed what were obviously direct orders from Killian. I’ll probably never be in this pub again.

I face him from the alley opening and cross my arms. “I’ll make a deal with you.”

His eyes are full of lust. “I’ve always wanted to make a deal with the devil.”

I can hardly hear my proposal over the roar of the blood in my brain, and the blistering heat still simmering between my thighs. “If the Fates have us meet again, I’ll tell you my name.”

“I’ll take your deal, but make no mistake, little devil, we will meet again.”

I should feel afraid. His words should scare me or seem insane, but it’s the first time anyone has ever made me shiver with excitement. I hope he does. Before I can second guess myself, I round the building into the open.

Clo stands there ranting to herself. I feel a pang of sadness. After tonight, I’ll be lucky if I ever leave the house again. Her eyes land on me and she looks drunkenly relieved, but they’re filled with angry tears.

“I thought you left me without saying goodbye,” she starts to wail. The girl is trashed, but it’s endearing.

“Come on. Let’s get you home.” I wrap my arm around her, and we stumble back toward the place we always depart.

“Where did you disappear to?” she sniffles.

I grin. “I met a boy,”

She morphs back into her bubbly self and pushes me. “Which one?”

“The weird one who was staring at me.” I try to hide my blush, but it’s impossible.

“Did you kiss him and run like you usually do?”

I flush again. “Not exactly.”

“Oh my fuck— I have so many questions. How? What do you mean? Where?”

I twist my hair and inspect the ends. “Where do you think?”

“The bathroom? No, I was in there. I mean you could…No!” She gapes at me. I give her a sheepish smile, and she squeals again. “You dirty little devil.”

His velvety voice murmurs in my mind. You’re trouble, aren’t you, little devil?

“We didn’t do anything, really. I mean he…” I wiggle my fingers, and we burst into raucous laughter. Someone yells at us to shut up from a window.

“You shut up! My friend is telling me how she got fingerbanged!” Clo shouts.

“Keep it down,” I warn her.

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