Page 36 of A Heart So Savage

“Of course, sir,” the stewardess purred.

Monique sashayed into the dark area beyond the sliding doors. A second later, soft light illuminated the space. The edge of a platform bed was visible through the doorway, and Ava could see the ceiling with its curving lines illuminated by ambient lights in a soft, pleasing blue. The room glowed with luxury. It screamed of sensual nights and languid days spent flying around a world where Kingston Winter ruled everything and accepted adulation from dozens of stewardesses just like Monique.

Kingston followed Monique into the room while Ava stayed behind and listened. She heard the whisk of another door opening and closing, fabric rustling and soft murmurs. Then… Kingston’s low chuckle and Monique’s breathy giggle. Ava’s hands clenched tight.

I don’t care.

She really didn’t. Why should she? Did it matter if the man slept with a hundred women like Monique? Did it matter the stewardess was probably smoothing her hands over his bare chest at that very moment? She did not care if Kingston’s perfect lips explored that woman’s mouth. Her neck. Her breasts.

Ava did not care that her own heart thumped so rapidly inside her chest that it burned.

No. She didnotcare. But she also would not accept this intentional humiliation. She wouldn’t be his plaything, tossed aside whenever he was displeased with her. She, Ava Bella Blue, was worth two point six million to Kingston Winter, and that was a damn sight more than Perfect Stewardess Monique and her alluring French accent.

Ava stalked toward the room, slinging the door open wide and just in time, too.

Monique was sliding her hands over the fabric of a new suit coat Kingston now wore. Glancing back at Ava, the other woman’s eyebrow lifted at the intrusion. A haughty smile spread across her pretty features.

Kingston’s face morphed from boredom into amused satisfaction. Eyes twinkling with devilish delight, he simply watched the two women as Ava focused on Monique. An unfamiliar emotion suffused her, a bewildering cocktail of rage and envy. It made her almost feral with possessiveness, and that was probably the most surprising thing about it. That she would experience intense jealousy at the thought of another woman touching Kingston.

“Remove your hands from Mister Winter right now,” Ava said in a tone laced with violence. “Or I’ll remove them myself.”

The corner of Kingston’s mouth twitched. “Miss Blue, you forget your place. I give the orders on this jet, and I will not tolerate animosity toward my employees. Approach the bed, if you please. I want you on your knees, back straight, head lowered, and hands resting on your thighs, palms up.”

The casualness of Kingston’s command shocked Ava. His tone was the same as though he were simply placing an order for his favorite coffee. He couldn’t mean it… especially not in front of Monique.

The stewardess’s smugness evaporated, her dark brown eyes flashing with envy as she glared at Ava.

The snap of Kingston’s fingers woke Ava from her state of shock. “Now, Miss Blue.”

Angry frustration swelled within her until she feared it would explode in streams of scarlet-hued ribbons. “Fuck you,” she snarled. “I’ll do no such thing. I’m not a dog you can command to obey.”

Monique’s perfect red lips rounded in an “oh” of shock. Apparently, no one dared speak with such blunt animosity to Kingston Vaughn Winter.

But Kingston merely sighed—the long-suffering sound reminding Ava how dangerous this man could be when faced with disappointment. The last person who’d done so ended up in a body bag, disposed of without a shred of remorse.

“Monique, please see to it that my coat is dry-cleaned by tomorrow morning.” Kingston calmly ignored Ava’s heated outburst.

“Of course, Mister Winter.” Monique’s gaze slid away from Ava while she continued leaning into Kingston. With unnecessary care, she straightened his tie, smoothing a hand down its length until her red-tipped fingernails ghosted over his belt buckle. “May I do anything else for you, sir? I’m here to attend to your every need, after all.”

Ava’s stomach twisted with abrupt nausea. Kingston must have slept with Monique in the past. After all, he certainly appeared comfortable with her flirtatious attention. So comfortable, in fact, he failed responding to Ava’s foolishly bold words.

Instead, his head dipped until he and Monique shared an exchange of breath. The stewardess swayed, clearly enthralled by Kingston’s close proximity.

Would he kiss this woman… right in front of her and with no regard for her rioting emotions? Ava swallowed past the sour taste in her mouth as Kingston’s lips hovered over Monique’s full red ones.

Then he pulled away while Ava’s ridiculous, infuriating sob of relief hung in her throat.

“That will be all, Monique. Miss Blue and I are not to be disturbed for the remainder of the flight.”

Monique’s lips thinned with disappointment at the curt dismissal, but she nodded. Snatching up the soiled suit coat, she hurried out of the cabin.

Once the door slid shut, Kingston reached for Ava’s arm, hauling her against his hard form. The gauzy wrap was flung aside, leaving her arms bare.

“Is this jealousy I detect, lamb?”

She glared up at him. “If you want to sleep with her—”

“I’m not interested in fucking anyone other than you, Ava,” he grumbled, crushing her closer. “And while this little display warms my heart, I expect you to obey my commands.”

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