Page 10 of Savage Games

He should have known me long enough to realize I never make bets I can’t win, and I always win.

From the doorway, someone cleared their throat. “Your Grace, you have a guest.”

Stepping out from behind my butler, Elizabeth appeared.

Her simple white t-shirt, tucked into a pair of too-long jeans, appeared almost translucent where her wet hair had soaked the fabric, exposing the dusky pink areoles of her nipples.

Andrew gave a low, appreciative whistle. “You are one lucky bastard, Winterbourne. Bet she’s a hot piece of as?—”

With a growl, I rounded on Andrew. Throwing him against the rough brick wall, I pressed my forearm against his throat. His eyes widened as he gasped for breath, clawing at my bare chest.

Elizabeth’s screams were lost as the blood pounded in my ears.

“You ever so much as look at her again, I’ll jam a sword so deep into your chest you’ll taste steel. Do you understand me?”

Andrew choked out his response.

After waiting another moment, making sure my threat was clear, I released him.

Clasping at his throat, Andrew ran out of the room, not even stopping to pick up his discarded rapier that lay at our feet.

With the primal blood urges of anger and lust still running high in my veins, I pivoted to face a wide-eyed Elizabeth.

Breathing heavily, I rasped, “He escaped. You won’t be so lucky.”

CHAPTER 5

RICHARD

Elizabeth’s emerald eyes darted over my shoulder to the exit.

My body tensed, ready to pounce.

Her foot slid to the right, as she slowly turned her body in the door’s direction.

“I wouldn’t if I were you,” I warned.

The sudden bark of my voice echoed off the bare brick walls and visibly startled her.

She leaned forward slightly… then my little bird took flight.

Running in an arc, she bolted for the door.

I was too quick for her.

Lunging, I stretched out my arm and caught her around the waist, pulling her struggling body against my chest. Her delicate frame no match for my strength. I could feel each thin bone and soft curve of her body as I pressed it to mine.

So delicate.

So easily breakable.

Elizabeth screeched and clawed at my forearm. “Let me go! Let me go!”

Wrapping another arm securely across her shoulders, I tightened my grasp on her. The pressure against her ribcage stifled her breath and ceased her struggles.

Taking the soft lobe of her ear between my teeth, I bit down. “Never,” I growled.

My blood was up. I wanted this fight with her. Needed it.

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