Page 34 of The Penalty

“And my cousin’s wife is a counselor at a mental health clinic for teens and young adults,” Noah piped up. “I’m going to reach out to her to see what clinics need the most assistance.”

Victoria’s eyes outshined the brightest lights in this room. I know how important honoring her sister is. And that’s why I refrained from snapping Noah’s neck when she smiled.

“You’re lucky to have such supportive friends.” My words iced when I emphasized friends.

Not sure why I was behaving like such a prat. Tracey and Noah seemed like nice enough people. They obviously held Victoria in high regard, otherwise they wouldn’t offer to assist her with such a personal project.

“I am,” Victoria responded. “Thank you both.”

They excused themselves to rejoin the party.

“You really have to work on your jealousy,” she scolded, sinking her fingertips into my stomach.

“I know.”

“Was that an actual admission?” she laughed, turning to stand in front of me.

“Don’t push your luck.”

“Or what?” she batted her lashes. “Maybe you should give me a stern talking to.” Her hand trailed down my stomach to the waistband of my pants. “Or we could sneak off down the hall. Find a quiet place to—”

“Tori.”

Her eyes flashed. “What’s the matter, Maddox? Performance anxiety?”

I scanned the room, noticing a set of doors leading outside. Without saying a word, I grabbed her hand and led her out to what I assumed was a patio.

It was actually a large stone terrace with wrought iron fencing and spiral topiaries. An arched entrance led deeper into a grassy area with even more shrubs and greeneries. For a second, I thought we’d walked out into the beginning of some type of maze.

Surprisingly, we were alone.

The solarium gleamed behind us, pulsing with music.

“I thought I was under orders to behave tonight,” I said quietly, pulling her close.

“You don’t want me to flirt with you?” she asked in a sweet, innocent tone.

“I like when you flirt with me. But if you tease me too much…” I let my voice trail off while I slid my hand up her thigh.

She failed at hiding a smile.

So this is the game she wants to play.

“I see.” I bent my head, hovering my mouth at her ear. “I thought fucking you before we left to come here would hold us over. Guess I was wrong.” My fingers dug into the soft flesh of her backside. “Take a few steps back.”

This wasn’t a suggestion. I released her, watching the subtle ways her body reacted to my order. The slight parting of her lips. The heavy-lidded stare pinned directly on me.

Fucking gorgeous.

I tucked my hands in my pockets.

“Dirty princess.” My tone was deceptively soft. “You are not going to get what you want.”

Defiance lit up her emerald eyes. Her chin lifted ever so slightly.

I observed and waited.

“What is it, exactly, that you think I want?” she asked with a small shake to her voice. Despite her attempt at playing coy, a deep pink bloomed on her cheeks.

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