Page 79 of Snitches and Serpents

“Yes.”

“Well, allow me to assist you then.”

Shock pulses through me as he drops down on one knee and reaches into his right boot.

Wait, did that work? Is he actually going to unlock the manacle? Shit, I need to readjust my plan and get my clothes back on quickly and then?—

My mind goes blank as he pulls a knife out of his boot and stands up again.

“Tristan,” I blurt out as I stumble an uncertain step back. “What are you doing?”

A sly smile curves his lips as he advances on me. I retreat another step, but my back hits the closed bathroom door with a thud. He closes the distance between us until we’re so close that I can almost feel the heat from his body against my naked skin.

His eyes glitter with mischief as he holds my gaze and twirls the knife in his hand.

“I’m solving your problem,” he says.

My heart slams against my ribs. “Problem? What problem?”

“Getting your panties off.”

“What does that?—”

My words are cut off by a sharp intake of breath as Tristan carefully traces the knife along the edge of my panties. Lightning crackles through my every nerve, making it feel as if my skin is tingling.

Tristan studies my face while a sly smile tugs at his lips.

Then he curls his fingers over the top of my panties. I suck in an unsteady breath. He draws the knife down, caressing my hip, and then slips it underneath the fabric of my panties. His other hand grips the top, pulling the fabric a little forward and away from my skin.

I don’t remember how my lungs are supposed to work.

All I can do is to stand there against the door and stare up into those glittering green eyes.

The sound of ripping fabric suddenly fills the air.

I gasp as Tristan shears through my panties with one clean cut.

My heart jerks wildly in my chest and fire floods my body. My clit is throbbing so hard that it makes my brain flicker. Fuck, I’ve never been this turned on in my life.

“Tristan,” I gasp out.

He gives my panties a few strategic nudges with the blade. Soft fabric brushes against my skin as the shredded garment falls down to the floor.

Then he cocks his head as he locks eyes with me. “Yes, sweetheart?”

My heart is pounding so hard that I can barely think straight. I don’t even remember what it was that I had been about to say. So in the end, what makes it out of my mouth is, “That’s the second pair of panties you’ve completely destroyed for me.”

He laughs. And because he’s standing so close, it dances across my skin in a way that makes my spine tingle.

“I’ll buy you some new ones,” he replies. Then he rakes a long glance over my body, and a curious expression descends on his features. “Does this turn you on?”

I shift my weight, trying to press my legs together. As if that can somehow change anything. I’m so wet that my pussy aches with need.

Tristan gently draws the knife up my ribs and then traces it around my breast. Something between a moan and a whimper escapes me. He trails the point of the blade in slow lazy circles, inching closer to my nipple. I squirm against the door as pleasure builds inside me.

“Answer me,” Tristan demands.

I press my legs harder together as my clit throbs.

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