Page 62 of A King So Savage

“Say my name, Ava.” The request was a low growl.

Ava met his gaze, an unfamiliar warmth curling through her. The intensity of emotions in Kingston’s fiery black-blue eyes stole her breath.

This was dangerous. Heady. Frightening and foolish. The burgeoning need and desire to belong to a beast like Kingston would ultimately be her downfall. Because he could not be trusted. He couldneverbe trusted. He would rip her to shreds at any second and laugh while doing it.

Yet, the danger called to Ava, and she was helpless against its lure.

Hesitantly, her hand stretched out toward him. Then her fingers were tunneling through the thickness of his dark hair, the strands sliding like the most luxurious silk. The ends curled ever so slightly, and it was almost endearing how the waves of his hair coiled around her fingertips.

“Kingston.” Her voice was barely audible, the wine softening her tone. Lowering her defenses. Leaving her vulnerable to a villain’s attention.

With shaky fingers, she traced the silver-pink scar on his left cheek.

Kingston’s eyes closed, and for a brief moment, his shoulders relaxed. With its faint etchings of worry and cruelty, his face smoothed into something almost peaceful. He sank into her reluctant caress like a massive cat hungry for attention.

Ava trembled, realizing with abrupt clarity that she was not completely helpless and at this man’s mercy.

I do hold some power here; I only need to harness it. Use it. Give him reason to become infatuated with me. Because I must ensnare him as easily as he captured me. Because if he grows to care for me, even if it is only sexual, maybe… maybe he won’t hurt me.

As if capable of hearing Ava’s innermost thoughts, Kingston’s eyes snapped open. The blazing intensity in the swirling sapphire depths was mesmerizing.

“Do you think to tame me, lamb?”

Ava shook her head, even as her heart leaped in her throat hearing the silky note of violence in his question. “No, of course not. How could I even accomplish such a thing? It would be impossible.”

His eyes narrowed. “But you aren’t above trying, are you?” His fingers drifted higher until they disappeared beneath the hem of her dress. “You’d like nothing more than to bring me to my knees and keep me there, wouldn’t you?”

Pushing her immediate response aside, Ava calmly returned his questioning stare. “I’m of the impression no one can make you do anything you don’t want to do, Mister Winter.”

The small smile curving his pillowy-soft lips was dangerously benign. Ava sucked in a breath because his fingers were now tracing the minuscule lacy triangle of her underwear.

“That’s true enough.” His fingers pressed a bit harder as if attempting to breach the fabric. Ava wanted badly to close her legs, but something dark and wicked deep inside her soul stopped her. She inched them apart a little further.

“Please…” The words slipped out, and Ava’s cheeks flushed hot pink. Why was she begging him? She’d promised herself she would never…

“I like hearing you like this,” Kingston said in a low voice. One large finger threatened to nudge past the thong’s gusset until it brushed over bare flesh. “All breathless and needy.”

Ava swallowed hard as desire swelled inside her with his words.

“Do you like me touching you like this, Ava?” His eyes were trained on her as his finger moved over her panties in a rhythmic glide. “You will answer me, lamb. Do you like this?”

“Y-yes,” she groaned in surrender, struggling to stay upright on the bed.

Kingston’s laugh was darkly knowing. “Lie back, Ava. Let me make you feel good.”

A sliver of pride floated to the surface.No.No, she would not let him use her like this. He could not just decide when and how to play with her and her emotions. God, everything inside her ran hot and cold when it came to this man.

How could she hate him so much but want him so terribly?

“I can’t,” she choked out, pushing his hand away and scrambling back on the bed. “This isn’t right.Youhave no right.”

Kingston sat back on his haunches; his eyes darkened with lust. “Your brother’s debt says otherwise.”

Ava’s chin lifted. “I want to negotiate terms. I’ve a right to make demands when it comes to what happens with my body.”

Kingston rose to his feet, raking a hand through his dark mane of hair. “Youwant to negotiate?” Rocking back on his heels, devilishly handsome in his black tuxedo, he gave her an indulgent smile. “All right. Let’s hear it.”

Ava pushed the hem of her dress back down, well aware of Kington’s gaze following her movements. The tension between them was almost palatable. It hung so heavy in the room Ava could barely breathe.

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