Page 63 of Lord of Debauchery

CHAPTER 17

Kenya

I’d had a visitor, which had prompted me to slap a bed sheet around me. It was insane that I was still being held inside a room with locks on the door. I wasn’t some wayward criminal. I was just a girl trying to get by the best way I knew how.

Okay, so I did understand the life more than I wanted to admit even to myself, but the way Beckham was acting was as if my father was the Antichrist. The thought brought a snort to my system. I’d thought of him that way more than once.

At least Jeff hadn’t gawked, even bringing me fresh bottles of water, doing his best to assure me that Beckham would be coming to see me shortly. I hadn’t engaged in a further conversation with him because it was pretty awkward wearing nothing but a sheet and a smile.

I don’t know why I was bothering but I wanted him more than I craved food, and I was starving. Maybe the reason was that I still smelled like him. Sandalwood and citrus, some other forest-type scent like moss or rainwater or something. Where it had been a powerful aphrodisiac before, I definitely didn’t want to hold his stench on my skin any longer.

As I headed into the bathroom, dragging the goddamn sheet behind me, I was struck by how energized I felt. Maybe it was because of all the hatred that had filtered back into my mind and system. It certainly couldn’t have been the… incredible sex we’d had.

I couldn’t lie—it had been the best of my life.

After starting the water, I stared into the mirror, slowly dropping the sheet. I’d always hated my looks for as long as I could remember, so much so I hadn’t been able to look a boy in the eyes in high school. It felt silly now since I’d conquered a high percentage male profession. I knew why it just hadn’t occurred to me I was beautiful.

Because my father had told me otherwise.

“I can’t even sell you off to the highest bidder and get something out of you. You’re far too ugly and fat.”

They were words I hadn’t allowed myself to repeat in years. I’d proven I was worth something, if only to myself.

I dropped the sheet, turning around to glance at my still aching bottom. The red marks were faint, but they were still there. It was silly but they allowed me to smile. When I turned back toward the mirror, I dropped my head. The burden of my life had gotten to be too much, even for me. I took gulping breaths, trying to will myself to walk inside the shower, luxurious by anyone’s standards.

I had no idea why it felt odd, tough to do. It was getting a shower and nothing more. But a strange sense of sadness swept through me I hadn’t allowed for a long time. That wasn’t like me in the least. I was a strong woman, more so than this shit.

An electric crackle pulsed through my system.

He was here.

“You’re beautiful. Did you know that?”

Hearing Beckham’s voice wasn’t startling any longer. It was magical and comforting. It was a deep voice I wanted to hear, even if we shouldn’t be together.

“Am I being granted parole?”

Beckham chuckled and brushed his hands lightly over my shoulders and down my arms. “Something like that. I brought you some clothes. When you’re dressed, I want to take you somewhere.”

I gave him a hard look in the mirror before smiling. “I need to get a shower first.”

“I guess I’ll allow you.” He bit down on my shoulder. “But don’t take too long. You know what I do to bad girls.”

Before he had a chance to back away, I grabbed his arms, pulling him toward the shower.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he asked in a deep voice.

“Taking control.”

“You know that’s not allowed.” He yanked me against his chest instead, holding the back of my head. The man was fully dressed in a suit, looking quite the dapper man, but I had to admit in our push and pull with each other, I liked him much better out of his clothes.

I wiggled in his arms, enjoying the friction created. Everything about the man was passionate, including the crazed look in his eyes. He reminded me of a beast in the wild more and more every day.

And I knew I liked it.

With him, everything was an adventure.

He crushed his mouth over mine as he’d done so many times I’d lost count, immediately sweeping his tongue inside. It was a little bit like heaven, especially since he was such a ruthless and unforgiving lover. I wrapped one leg around him, still partially hating myself for feeling so much emotion for the man. He’d imprisoned me, for God’s sake, yet here I was enjoying the moment as if we were destined to be together.

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