Page 55 of Kingdom of Crowns and Daggers

“I am well aware of your profession.” Disgust colours my voice on the last word, making it acutely obvious what I think of her life choices.

She finally loses her temper, jumping up from the dressing table and stalking up to me, her arms crossed over her chest as she glares up at me. “What the fuck is your problem?”

“My problem is that it’s my job to protect Joha from people like you, and here you are, parading around the palace as though you own it.” I’m close to losing control, raising my voice. There’s no one around, but the guards will come running if they hear a male shouting in the queen’s rooms. “People like you don’t listen to reason or things like the laws of the land. You create your own rules, and that disgusts me.”

Her eyes narrow. “Disgust, is that what I saw in your eyes just a moment ago? Or earlier when you saw me in my dress?” Ripping the tie from her dressing gown, she pulls it open and slides it off her shoulders so she’s standing before me in just her underwear. “What do you think, Orion? Repulsive, right?”

She steps closer, each word pointed and harsh.

Despite myself, I can’t help but run my eyes over her. She is anything but disgusting. Her body is perfect, even with the scars that mar her skin. Every inch of her is perfection, yet she drives me crazy. When I first met her, I barely noticed how beautiful she was, but seeing this other side of her made me take a better look.

I should be disgusted at her vulgar display, especially knowing what she’s been doing tonight, but then why the fuck do I want to pin her down and feel her skin against mine?

“Just tell me what you know.” My voice is tight, betraying my internal struggle.

Her expression turns livid. “Why in the underworld would I tell you anything? You’re constantly snarling and snapping at me.”

She is right. I am. I’m pretty sure I have valid reasons though. She has only ever had to look out for herself. In the long run, if Joha dies on her watch, all she is going to lose is the reward money. Can she really care for a king she has no attachment to? I am not about to have that conversation with her though.

Taking a deep breath, I remind myself why I am here. “I’m trying to keep Joha safe.”

“Funnily enough, so am I!” she retorts, throwing her arms up in the air. It draws my attention back to her body, her breasts almost close enough for me to touch.

Focus, Orion.

“I don’t trust you.”

“I know.” She jabs me in the chest with her finger. “Which is one of the reasons I’m not going to share my plans with you.”

My jaw is clenched so tightly, I am surprised I have not broken a tooth. “You might be used to working alone, but we both have the same goal here. We need to be a team.” The words sound strange leaving my mouth, my voice deeper.

She stares up at me with a scowl that I am used to seeing when she is around me. With Joha, she manages to hide it, playing it off as though there is nothing that could disturb her unflappable nature. When it is just her and me though . . .

She can’t hide it.

“What if I don’t want to have anything to do with you?” Each word is pointed, sharp enough to wound.

The tension in the room is electric, the two of us glaring at each other. She aggravates me so much. Everything she does goes against my principles, against who I am.

Why do I find her so damn attractive?

Leaning down so we are almost nose to nose, I lower my voice to a whisper. “I would say you’re a liar.”

Something shifts in her eyes. I don’t understand why calling her a liar has that effect on her, but the tension shifts. She cocks out a hip and places her hand there, drawing attention to her body.

“Disgusting. Assassin. Betrayer. You can just add it to the list of names you’ve given me,” she whispers like she’s telling me a secret.

I have no idea what to say to that. Honestly, staring down at her, our bodies almost brushing, I don’t remember what we were even arguing about.

I don’t know who moves first, but we suddenly collide in a rush. Our lips crash together in a flurry of kisses, tongues, and teeth. It is not gentle, it is anything but, yet her kisses are addictive. We kiss like we are fighting, roughly grabbing onto each other.

It’s a battle, only there are no weapons, just desire, and whoever gives in first loses.

Her sharp moan of pleasure against my rough lips only spurs me on, and my hands cover the final distance between us, tracing the sides of her body before gripping her tight ass and pulling her closer. The plump cheeks fit perfectly in my hands, and I can’t help but groan as I drag her up onto her toes to deepen the kiss. Never one to be outdone, she bites my lower lip so hard it makes me grunt, and I swear I taste the coppery tang of my blood.

I can’t stop. Backing her into one of the posts, I devour her mouth.

More. I need more.

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