Page 82 of Lethal Infatuation

"Ibaked you chocolate chip cookies." I held the clear container out for Nicolas to take. "I wasn't sure which kind of cookies you'd like so I went with the safest option."

The look of pure joy on his face was definitely worth me nearly melting my face off when I browned the butter on the stove top. It was my mistake for turning the gas way too high.

"Do you enjoy baking?" he enquired, taking the container from me and leaning forward while he waited for a kiss. "I'll eat anything you make me."

I didn't acknowledge his action, wanting to rile him up. "The words every woman wants to hear."

Nicolas frowned, placing the container onto the counter. "If you don't give me a damn kiss right now—" I crashed my lips onto his, wrapping my arms around his neck.

When I pulled away, I laughed softly. "You're so easily worked up."

"Hold that thought." He squished my cheeks, making my lips pop open. "You got a piercing?" He looked at it with a neutral expression on his face, so I didn't know if he was impressed or not.

"Ouch." I pried his hands away. "Is it really necessary to handle me in that rough manner?" I teased.

"It looks pretty," he admitted. "Not nearly as pretty as you are, but it's close second." I laughed at his reaction, holding my wrist in front of him.

When his eyes landed on the design, they darkened a fraction. "Is that the tattoo you wanted?" He swiped his thumb over the little butterfly.

"I got three done, actually." The look on his face was one of pure shock. "Would you like to see the rest?" He didn't answer me, he only observed me with those scrutinising, grey eyes.

"Where did you get them done?" he asked coolly, still caressing my inner wrist, but there was an underlying darkness in his words and tone that instantly made me shiver.

I ignored the feeling and his question, seeing that he never answered mine. "You didn't answer my question though." Involuntarily, I pouted. "Would you like to see the other two? Yes or no?"

"Who was the artist?"

A deep set frown was plastered on my face. "You can't answer a question with a question."

"Who. Was. The. Artist?" he asked again, slowly walking towards me. "I honestly hope you'll tell me it was a female."

I took slow steps backwards. "Does it matter?"

"If you show me the placement of the other tattoos and it's somewhere on your body that is only meant to be touched by me, then yes. It matters."

"You're being ridiculous," I said in annoyance. "That's his joband they're trained professionals."

"Ah, so it was a male, after all," he said in that calm tone of voice. It was always so spine chilling. The way he sounded too calm, yet his words tended to have that dangerous edge to it.

I wished I could take back my words, but it was already too late for that. I made a break for it, running through my house in hopes that I'd reach my room before he caught up to me.

"Run, my little butterfly. Let's see how quickly I can catch you." It suddenly felt like the hallway that led to my bedroom was longer than usual. It felt like a never ending dream. Where each time I thought I'd reach the end of it, I'd just be back at the beginning again.

I ran, but I went to one of the guest rooms. There was a sliding door that lead to the backyard which meant I could create more distance between us. My legs went as fast as they could possibly go.

I heard him laughing somewhere behind me, but I didn't dare turn around. I unlocked the sliding door, which definitely felt like a mission on its own. When I looked behind me, he wasn't that far from where I stood. I pulled the door open slightly, squeezed through, and jumped over the concrete step.

My breathing was erratic and I headed towards the front of my house. That was my mistake—of course, he was there. Waiting for me. Like a true hunter waiting for its prey.

Nicolas grabbed a hold of me before tossing me over his shoulder. "When will you realise that you can't escape me?"

He carried me back inside of the house, kicking the front door closed with his foot. The man definitely had strength and prowess. He held me tightly with one arm and used his free hand to lock the door.

I tried fighting against him, but the behemoth of a man physically overpowered me. We entered my room and I writhed againsthis hold. "Put me down right now."

"Okay." He threw me onto my bed, making me bounce slightly. "I put you down, are you happy now?"

"That's not what I meant, you fool." I glared at him.

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