Page 22 of Queen of Wrath

“That's easier said than done, Miss Mirth,” he grumbled.

I could tell I was getting to him. I sat on the edge of his desk and watched his attention shift to the way the bottom of my robe fell open slightly, revealing my thigh. “Mr. Ransom, you are a powerful and influential man, aren’t you? Don't be afraid to use that power. And if you play your cards right…” My hand pressed into the surface of his desk as I leaned closer to him, and all but whispered into his ear, “You might find those same people bent at the knee before you.”

I watched his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed harshly.

Then his lips parted.

My other hand slid slowly up my leg, making sure his eyes followed.

I knew it. You’re so ridiculously easy to seduce. You don’t have any care for anyone but yourself.

Then I stood up and made my way out of his office. “Anyway, that’s just my opinion.”

The leather of his chair creaked as he pushed out of it in a flash. “No, you're right. I am a man of immense power. I should be able to take whatever I want.”

I had a feeling he wasn't just talking about hiring Kiyan. A sly smile pulled in the corner of my mouth as I gave him a nod. “Very good, sir.”

His eyes darkened with desire.

I made sure to leave before anything else happened. Though, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying this more than I had thought.

The man I’d been crazy in love with once, and then the one who had betrayed me, clearly desired me.

I won't make it easy for him.

I'm not going to be satisfied until he is on his knees for me—begging me to ruin his pitiful little life…

8

JAX

Since that day in the office with Emma, Jax had been unable to keep focus on his work. Every time she was near, he couldn't help but get distracted. It wasn't just because she was beautiful…

Jax watched as Kiyan strategically mixed a potion in front of him, but his eyes kept shifting to Emma who was standing next to him.

She was massively talented and quick-witted as well—a masterpiece of the female form, and he just had to have her.

Jax ran his tongue over his lips and nervously fixed his collar.

Her eyes shifted up to him from beneath her lashes. They were haunting. It felt as if she was daring him to do something dangerous.

Excitement swelled in his core. He hadn’t realized it until now, but Jax had been waiting for someone to challenge him in the way she did. She was something new and exciting.

I’m going to have her. Make no mistakes about it, he thought to himself triumphantly, as if she’d already given in to him.

His fantasies were interrupted when his office door flew open, revealing a smiling Diamond charging in toward him. Jax knelt down, inviting his daughter's hug.

Kiyan was so startled he almost dropped the potion ingredients he was mixing.

“Papa!” Diamond shouted as she wrapped her arms around her father's neck. She then looked over her shoulder, and griped, “You didn't tell me Emma was going to be here today!”

And just like that, she pushed out of his embrace and ran over to Emma.

Jax couldn't deny that he felt a bit disheartened being pushed aside so easily, but he also couldn't ignore the warm feeling in his chest that his daughter had taken such a liking to Emma.

Emma welcomed Diamond with open arms and picked her up off the floor. “Keep your concentration, Kiyan. One day you might have to make a potion in less than favorable conditions. You have to learn to block out everything else.”

“Yes, of course! I’ll do better next time,” Kiyan blurted out almost militaristically, as if Emma was some drill sergeant instead of his teacher.

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