Page 44 of Illicit Temptation

With the food in her mouth, I grip her throat gently. “Chew, taste all the flavors, feel the warmth in your mouth.”

Her eyes flash to mine, getting my dirty metaphor.Putting her hand over mine, she says with a mouthful, “It’s good.”

“Now consider this question carefully. Who would you trust in a dire situation where your life was on the line? One of your properly trained, properly behaved bodyguards, or your brother Lachlan?”

She stops chewing for a second and then swallows. “That’s an unfair question. Lachlan loves me and—”

“My point exactly.”

“Wait. No, you don’t...”

Fuck, I went too far. “Let’s hope neither of us finds out what I’m willing to do to protect you, yeah? Can you behave and follow my rules?”

“What are the rules?” She keeps eating the eggs. “I’m curious. Not that I’ll follow them.”

I laugh. “If you don’t follow them, you’ll be punished.”

“Punished how?”

Adrenaline surging through me, I lean in and ask, “How is your breathing?”

“Fine,” she answers cautiously. “Why?”

“You just challenged me.” I unzip my nylon jacket and toss it on a chair, my body heating. “Now you need to be taught a lesson.”

“A lesson in what?” She folds her arms.

“What happens when you scare the living shit out of me.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

Shea

My center twinges hearing he wants to punish me. I read and listen to enough smut to know he doesn’t mean giving me a time-out.

Lord knows I deserve to be punished for locking him in his room.

In a tight black T-shirt that looks molded to his muscular torso, the sleeves showcasing sculpted, veiny biceps, Trace moves next to the stove, putting my marble kitchen island between us.

“Unless you’re not feeling well and can’t handle me right now.”

I scoff. “Back down? Never. My last name is O’Rourke. Don’t let the tits and pussy confuse you.”

Darkness takes over his golden eyes. “You asked for it.”

“Asked for what?” I start to think he’s just a growly flirt and no bite.

“Run, princess,” he says, his voice deep, but smooth. “If I catch you, Ispankyou.”

Sparks of electricity shoot through my veins. This isn’t the same Trace who ran my shower and made my breakfast. This is a virile alpha who wants to claim superiority and taking me over his knee is part of that.

“And if you don’t catch me?” I start to back away, but he doesn’t move.

“You’re bleedin’ adorable. Iwillcatch you. The question is how riled up I’ll be when I’ve got you held down, your bare ass quivering waiting for the blows.” His heated gaze watches my every move.

I keep expecting him to pounce, jut out in one direction or the other from behind the kitchen island. But he stays eerily still.

Anchoring one bare foot onto the ceramic floor, I take off for the stairs. Blood rushing through my ears, I can’t hear if he’s following me. I climb, my feet slipping on the carpet, but I get up, not looking behind me.

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