Page 34 of Wicked Court

“You do.”

I sweep her hair back, baring the slender column of her neck.

She swallows hard. I press closer, my body caging hers. Alarm and something else wars in her eyes, hot amber melting to molten gold.

A spark ignites in my blood. I want this infuriating, secretive girl. I want those full lips parted and gasping. I want her secrets spilled along with her screams.

“Tell me,” I repeat, voice low.

She shudders, clutching my coat tighter. “Kaspian, please...”

The plea in her voice thrills me. I lean closer, my nose a mere inch from hers.

“Playing dumb isn’t going to work anymore. You know what I want. I hear Cav even offered you something in return. Your brother’s killer.”

Her breath hitches, her pupils dilating. Good. Nervousness and something else—desire?

That is interesting.

My lips quirk at the truth in her eyes. “Where is it?”

“I—” she starts, chest heaving with each sliver of breath. “I can’t tell you.”

I lean in further, my lips the barest inch from hers. “You don’t have to. I’ll take it.”

And I will.

I find her mouth, devouring her softness with a brutal, punishing kiss. She tries to push me away, but I’m stronger. My other hand tangles in her hair, holding her still as I claim her, thrusting my tongue into her mouth. Tasting her sweetness, feeling the thud of her heart beneath my palm.

Finally, she goes slack against the hard fountain edge. I tilt my head to deepen the kiss, drinking from her lips as my cock hardens.

She doesn’t want to do this the easy way? Fine.

Her fingers dig into my shoulders when I pull away, her eyes glazed over.

“Please ... don’t...”

“Your pleas are wasted on me,” I warn huskily. “And I’m the nice one.”

I school my expression into patience as I watch the war behind her eyes. Lies versus truth. It’s never a tough decision for me, but this one’s innocence is very kind and pure.

She submits under my touch. Truth wins. “I promised Gram I wouldn’t?—”

A stiff wind hits us. Before she can finish, Wilder comes strolling out of nowhere. His face twists when he sees us.

“Taking it slow, Kaspian?” Wilder says, sounding very unamused.

I don’t move from Elara. He’s not here on my or Cav’s orders.

Elara shoves me away angrily, not meeting either of our eyes. She grabs her bag, ignoring us completely.

Wilder tsks, wandering closer. “Leaving so soon, sweetwitch? Playing hard to get?”

I narrow my eyes at him while moving aside, letting her go but watching Wilder warily. He’s always been a gamble.

“Fuck off, Wilder,” Elara says sharply.

“Or what? You’ll scream?” he taunts.

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