Page 69 of A King So Savage

She was his.His. And she could hate Kingston Vaughn Winter, despise him, try escaping him, or even attempt to murder him, but nothing could or would ever change this simple truth.

She belonged to him.

No. That wasn’t right. That just made her a possession. A nameless, faceless body Kingston desired and coveted for the moment. He wanted her like he would a new car. Or maybe an expensive watch.

She was more than that. She wouldbecomemore than that to this man.

I belongwithhim.

Whether she wanted the lunacy of it all or not, that was the godawful truth of the matter.

“Christ, Ava,” Kingston muttered along the curve of her neck when he finally stopped kissing her.

Loosening the hold of her throat, he stroked the skin below her jawline—soothing away any residual evidence of his mastery. “I’ve never seen or felt anything more goddamn gorgeous than you coming in the palm of my hand. The way you cry out. The sounds you make. The way your sweet, greedy pussy squeezes my fingers. I’m addicted to it.”

Ava did not respond. She couldn’t, not really. She was too exhausted. Too languid to think straight while drifting away on a sea of endorphins. She lay in a complacent state of pleasure and smiled slowly when Kingston untangled her fingers from the headboard.

“You can let go now.” Pulling her closer, he cradled her against his body until they could have been matching spoons.

“If I do, I might fall over the cliff,” Ava mumbled around a yawn, linking her fingers with his where his hand nestled in the valley of her breasts. She still wore her nightgown, and through it, the heat of his flesh warmed her. Against the swell of her bottom, his cock strained for entrance.

Kingston made no move to rectify his condition. The realization put Ava at ease more than it should have. She was so drowsy. And tired of thinking. Tired of strategizing. Tired of fighting.

“Why would you fall off of a cliff, Ava?” A hint of amusement lurked in his voice. Didn’t he realize she was speaking metaphorically?

“When this is all over. When I’m back in the real world,” she explained in a sleepy mumble. “Don’t worry. Even if I fall, I can take care of myself. I always do…”

“You won’t fall, Ava. I won’t allow it.”

“So domineering,” Ava grumbled as she snuggled deeper into the pillows and his embrace. Her eyes fluttered shut although she really wanted to stay awake. His odd statement demanded further exploration, but she was already drifting off to sleep. “You can’t control everything, Kingston Winter.”

His arms tightened around her, and his mouth was surprisingly gentle when he brushed a kiss over her temple. “If you say so, lamb.”

ChapterTwenty-Three

All that remains

Is the heartbeat

Of something wild and untamed.

When Ava wokethe second time, the room was still murky with shadows, but slivers of greyish daylight penetrated past the heavy drapes.

It was morning, but just barely.

She lay very still for a long time, her breathing even and measured, before slowly turning her head toward the second set of pillows.

Kingston was not there. She was alone in his bed.

Sitting up, Ava pulled one of the pillows to her chest, taking a quick assessment of the room. It was very spacious. Impeccably decorated in black and grey tones. Contemporary artwork adorned the walls, and the furniture was heavy, dark wood. Behind the bed, the entire wall was constructed of a single slab of slate-colored stone. It must have been hewn straight from the mountains surrounding The Den and secured on-site. It was rough. Rugged. And it was a stark contrast to the modern sleekness of the room’s furnishings.

Had Kingston purposefully left her there alone? Had he been called away? Would he come back…?

Ava’s breath caught in her throat at that thought. And the next made her heart thump even faster.

Will he touch me again? Will I try stopping him if he does?

She hugged the pillow, eyes squeezing tight while her body strummed with trepidation. The flesh between her legs was sore and tender. A harsh reminder of Kingston’s invading fingers.

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