Page 145 of Us Deadly Few

She determinedly lifted her chin and finished unzipping her uniform.

Takeshi was tensely still, not taking his gaze off her face once.

Power coiled in her fingertips.

There was strength in the way she took control of her own body, in the way Takeshi watched her, like nothing could tear his focus away.

She slid the fabric down her legs, stepping out of her boots as the uniform fell to the ground.

Khalani stood completely bare, her arms hanging by her sides, allowing Takeshi to look his fill.

He stared at her as one might look at a long-lost painting.

Like Khalani had when she gazed upon the city of Genesis for the first time. With complete awe and an inner knowledge that she’d never be the same after the sight.

She felt his gaze move over her, slow and deliberate. All the way from her breasts, to her waist, to the tips of her feet, as if every part of her was worthy of attention and reverence.

Even the parts others would overlook. Especially those.

The silence extended as he kept studying her, and she swallowed, her nerves kicking in. After a moment, Khalani placed one hand over her stomach and moved the other to cover her chest.

“I don’t think so.” The deep timbre in his voice sent goosebumps down her arms.

He moved closer, his body completely overshadowing hers. Takeshi gave her a pointed look, and she gathered her self-confidence, letting her arms fall free again.

“You’re perfect,” he breathed, but Takeshi wasn’t looking at her body. He was staring straight into her eyes. Her heart skipped a beat, the heat in the room so intense, they could’ve been standing under the burning sun and not noticed the difference.

Despite his earlier words, Takeshi’s hands remained tense at his sides.

“Aren’t you gonna touch me?” she challenged, a playful edge to her voice.

“I’m enjoying the view.”

“And what do you think?”

“I think you’re mine.”

Oh.

My.

God.

Her heart raced overtime, and her mind had to scramble to form a coherent sentence. “Pretty presumptuous to think I’m yours. What if there was someone else I had my eye on down here?”

The spark in his eyes brightened. Fighting was their own twisted brand of foreplay, and he loved it just as much as she did.

“That so?” His palm grazed her waist. “What’s their name?”

“Why do you want to know?” She fought to stay calm as his finger brushed over her breast, lightly pinching, setting her ablaze.

“So I can kill him tomorrow,” he said matter-of-factly.

“You’re unhinged.” She laughed.

“Now you’re getting it.”

Takeshi’s wicked grin widened, and she was once again struck by his raw beauty. Without another word, he grabbed a fistful of her hair, bent her back, and wrapped his mouth around her nipple.

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