Page 49 of Illicit Temptation

“God, what did we do?” she says, covering her face.

“Playing, the oh no, we made a mistake card? I had more faith in you to come up with something more clever.” I wrench off her.

Breathing heavily, lips swollen from her teeth sinking into them to control her climax, she says, “We crossed a line, Trace. I don’t care what you said earlier. This thing between us will make you make poor decisions.”

“The only poor decision I’m making is to kill a bottle of whiskey tonight.” I turn to leave.

“Where are you going?”

“To look for tools.” I turn back to her.

“Tools? For what?”

“I have a door to fix, princess.” And I hope it takes me all day so I can stay in her bedroom and smell how she climaxed for me all over the bed.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Trace

The following Saturday, Shea breezes into the kitchen wearing what looks like a paper-thin lavender dress with a dangerously high slit. One gust of wind and I’ll have to gouge out the eyes of dozens of men who will see what is rightfully andlegallymine.

She’s nonchalant checking her phone, ignoring me as I take in how the dress hugs her curves and outlines her entire body. Tonight’s gala in Astoria was on her itinerary, and I arranged for her brother to send his helicopter for us. I just got a ping that it landed. I’m furious about her choice of dress, but if I make her change, she’ll fight me, and we’ll be late.

Keeping my anger in check, I move toward her and grip the wrist holding her phone. Putting it behind her back in an armlock, I lean over her to get her attention.

Her angry eyes drill into me. “What the hell?”

“Are you fucking kidding me withthisdress?”

Her jaw drops. “It’s a gown. We’re going to a gala.”

I blink at her. “I’m no fashion expert, princess, but isn’t this color better for spring events?”

Not that I’d let her wear this on a hot summer day to just wander to the street to get the mail.

“Lavender is evergreen,” she argues.

“It’s too revealing. Go put something else on right now.”

“You don’t own me, Trace.” She tries to twist out of my hold.

“I have a piece of paper that says I do own you in the most visceral way that any judge in any land will interpret as you beingmine. But I’m not talking as a husband, right now. As your bodyguard, it’s my job to keep away creeps who want what’s under this dress. I’mordering you as your bodyguard,andmine to protect, tochange that dress.”

“Watch that tone with me. You might be my husband on a cheap piece of paper, but that’s not ownership and you don’t get to tell me what to do.”

The fire in her eyes only makes me want to fuck her more.

But only if she consents.

“And not only are you taking that sham wedding too far, you’re also taking this job too far,” she adds, riled up. “There’snoactive threat against me.”

When I don’t answer, her breath hitches. “Wait. Is there something going on? Something my brothers aren’t telling me? Would you keep that from me?”

“Depends.” I’m close to spilling about Crest, but I don’t want her shirking behind my skirt. “It’s common for a security agent to keep a client in the dark. Sometimes acting clueless means a perpetrator will get sloppy.”

“I’ll take that as a no.” She wiggles against me, my cock stiffening to the point of pain.

“Keep gyrating against me, and we’ll be late for a different reason.”

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