Page 70 of A Twisted Arrangement

A thrill starts to climb up my spine at the thought of this man being upset about me justlookingthrough his window. A glimmer of an idea filters through on just how fun it would be to press Matthias’s buttons. What the hell is wrong with me? Matthias is a sea of red flags, and I don’t have a boat.

He glares at the unknowing guard. “My patience is completely worn-out tonight, Little Sparrow. I dare you to test me.”

“You should have thought of that before you went and locked me up here.” I stand firm.

He sets the plates down on the kitchen table, then turns, lifting one brow.

“Eat.”

I fold my arms in front of my chest, not budging. “I said I’m. Not. Hungry.”

“I’m not joking.” His gaze turns pitch-black as he stalks toward me, forcing me backward.

“I don’t want to eat withyou.” I grip the glass of water from the counter and toss it at his face milliseconds before he can get a hold of me.

He stands there, water trailing down his chin and falling to the floor, blinking at me, mouth half-open before he laughs. He wipes his hand over his face, shoulders loosening as his entire body shakes, and his laughter fills the space between us. He looks so young and happy, something I haven’t seen in sucha long time. Not since before my family captured him and his brothers.

He and Damon used to laugh like this when they were up to no good, constantly causing trouble at whatever events they attended. Warmth fills my chest seeing him like this now.

I twist my lips against my own smile. “Like I said. I don’t want to eat with you.”

It takes a second, and then he gives me a cocky grin. “There’s the fire I love.”

I’m still stuck on the wordloveas he lifts his shirt over his head, wiping his neck and face, leaving him in nothing but his black pants, clinging low on his hip bones. Dammit, he’s so broad I can’t look away from his tanned chest, the way his muscles form peaks and valleys. Matthias flexes under my gaze, and I snap back into reality.

“It’s funny you think you have a choice.” He lunges forward, catching me by my waist, and hauls me up.

“Put me down!” I try to shift my weight and gain purchase to throw him off-balance. My fists clench, and I grunt when he easily evades all my attempts to make him put me down.

“Anything you want.” He seats himself at the table with me on his lap. His hot, bare skin presses against my side, warming me through my sweater.

“Are you out of your mind?!” I yell, trying to squirm my way off his lap.

He grunts. I can feel him getting hard beneath me, and his lips skim my ear. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

I freeze, core throbbing as he presses harder against me. I’m panting, trying to regain my breath, when he lifts a piece of chocolate to my mouth.

“Come on, take a bite.”

My stomach growls in response, and he chuckles, the vibration traveling through my back.

I’ve lost it because I lean in, taking the morsel from his fingers with my teeth. I close my eyes, humming as the sweet taste melts on my tongue.

Matthias runs his thumb over my lip. “See what happens when you stop being so stubborn?”

I’d kill him right now if I wasn’t so hungry.

Instead, I sit with him, back stiff as he feeds me my dinner piece by piece.

My eyes feel heavy as exhaustion takes over me, and I find myself slowly relaxing into his chest until his arms cradle me.

“Let’s go to bed.” He kisses me behind my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

My chest squeezes, almost regretting what’s about to happen next, but I can’t turn back now.

Matthias lifts us both from the chair, carrying me to our room. I can’t stop myself from breathing him in and filling my lungs with his scent. This will be the last time he holds me like this, and I want it to last longer. Bile rises into the back of my throat when he gently lowers me to the bed, leaning in closer, eyes searching mine.

“What are you up to, Scarlet?”

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