Page 155 of Mud

Closing his eyes, Taland leaned against the wall where he’d been kissing and touching me just now.

Fuck, the way that moment felt like a lifetime away already. My heart was still thundering in my chest and I was still breathing heavily. My panties were soaked and there was a part of me that wanted to jump in his arms right now—screw everything else.

But reality had already kicked in and it had knocked me on my ass, figuratively speaking. I stayed right where I was and I waited for him to make up his mind, tell me to go fuck myself, and leave.

Except this was Taland, and with Taland, you never really knew what came next. That was always a part of his charm.

“Well, then we just have to figure out what else you can do for me, sweetness,” he said, smiling now as he stared atthe floor for a moment. “I suppose I could bend you over—that view is always a prize?—”

“Taland!” I said with a groan because now he was just being a prick.

“You’re gonna have to pay me somehow. I’m just exploring my options here.” And he pretended to be serious as he said it.

“My body is not on your list of options,” I said through gritted teeth.

“Of course, it is. You wouldn’t have saved it for me if it wasn’t.”

The audacity of this guy. “I didn’t save anything for you!” Why in the fuck was he so damn infuriating?!

“So, what’s it called when you don’t even kissanother man in years?” he mocked.

Apparently, trying to lie to him was useless. He’d know.

That’s why I switched tactics.

“I haven’t kissed another man—until now,” I said, and his smile dropped instantly. “Maybe I will before this game is over. And Idefinitelywill when it is.”

He had me so worked up I hadn’t even noticed how I was standing with my legs slightly to the sides and my hands on my hips, so frustrated I was shaking.

The spark in his eyes turned darker and darker… “I’d threaten you with their lives, sweet Rose, but…” Slowly, his face transformed with a wicked grin. “Let’s just say I won’t.”

He moved away from the wall, hands in his pockets, completely at ease again.

“In fact, you should do exactly what you said as soon as you can.”

What the actual fuck.

I crossed my arms in front of my chest. “Maybe I will.”

“Youshould.Really, it’ll be so good for you. Most importantly, it would absolutelyshow me,” he said, towering over me, not a hint of arousal left on him. He was back to just being amused. “So, do it. Definitely do it.” A chuckle.

He walked around me and to the window, leaving me more confused by the second. I really had no fucking clue what to make of this guy.

I mean,what?!

“Here’s what I require from you, sweetness. When you get your colors back and we’re out there again, you will show up at a specific location on the twenty-first of September, midnight sharp. How does that sound?”

I narrowed my brows. “What location?”

“You will receive the address a day before.”

What the… “And dowhatexactly?”

“No questions. You will be there—alone. I can promise you that you will be safe. The rest, you’ll have to see for yourself.”

Leave it to Taland to give me even more absurd demands.Not gonna help me break into the IDD vault or stand by and watch while I do it? Fine—you can just show up at a random address on a random date and hope for the best.

“Let me guess—you want to gift me to your brothers to continue their torture.” He didn’t even flinch. “And you’re gonna watch from the shadows, enjoy the show?”

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