Page 28 of A Heart So Savage

But even as he fucked his prisoner to another shuddering climax, and he came so deep and hard inside her that it left him lightheaded, the victory rang hollow.

ChapterEleven

Trading lies for secrets

She’ll never keep.

Something in her eyes

Makes me want to believe.

Despite her silentfury at the way he treated her early, Ava did not protest when Kingston tumbled her onto the bed and gathered her close. Now, she lay sprawled across his body, her head cushioned by his broad chest while he wound a lock of her hair around his forefinger.

The same finger he used to violate her while she writhed in pleasure.

She was so tired. Her body and mind were fractured and exhausted from the whirlwind of being Kingston’s prisoner. Confusion seeped through her veins. How could she enjoy the degradation he lavished upon her? Was she that messed up from her experience with Carson and his friends?

Without conscious thought, Ava chewed a thumbnail, lost in contemplation of her situation.

Kingston reached across with his free hand, capturing her chin and forcing his thumb into her mouth. Tugging her bottom lip down, he rubbed the pad of his thumb across it. “I told you to stop doing that, lamb.”

Ava fought the urge to bite him, which of course, he recognized. His mouth curved upward.

“Do it and see what happens,” he taunted softly, stroking her lip before dipping his thumb into her mouth. “Go on, wicked little lamb. Bite me, if you dare.”

Ava turned her head, dislodging his hold “I don’t know what you’re talking about. And I’ll chew my nails down to the quick if I feel like it. You’re not my lord and master.”

“Ahhh, but I am. I control every aspect of your life now.”

Ava struggled to sit up, but Kingston’s muscled arm lay looped around her waist. There was no moving that heavy manacle although she pushed and pulled with furious intent.

“Settle down,” he finally grumbled in a low voice. “Unless you enjoy getting me riled up and dealing with what happens when I am.”

Ava huffed, the threat of Kingston taking his agitation out on her an effective deterrent. Lying beside him, her body was stiff.

“You’re always fighting me, Ava.” Disgruntled amusement laced his words.

“You’re always giving me a reason,” she snapped in response.

A chuckle escaped him. “I suppose that’s true enough. It’s hard to believe you turned into such a prickly little thing.”

“Being kidnapped and assaulted changes a person.” Ava’s voice shook with unvoiced resentment.

With a sigh, Kingston tugged her closer, his free arm cradling his head. “It’s fascinating to watch the good girl struggle with her darker side. Especially when I know the dark will win out. It’s inevitable.”

“If that’s true, you should be very frightened. I might give you another scar to match the ones you already have,” Ava flung at him, her eyes drawn to his chest. It was a reckless threat, but this man had crawled beneath her skin. She could no longer think rationally. Or even carefully.

Kingston’s lips twisted. “I’ll likely deserve it, too. More so than this one.”

Ava eyed the scar in question. It blended perfectly into the tattoo’s design, the lion roaring in pain. Or maybe it was triumph. Hard to tell.

“How did you get it?” Anger and self-loathing did not dampen her curiosity. She was even capable of feeling pity for him, depending on the origins of the old wound.

Kingston hesitated, cursing under his breath. “I was sixteen and stupidly defied my father when he gave me a direct order. He decided I would be taught a lesson.”

“A lesson?” Ava shifted when his arm loosened from around her waist, but she did not attempt to get away again.

“Yes. He hung me in chains and sliced my chest open with a filet knife. Said if I was going to be a bleeding heart pussy, I should look the part.”

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