Page 44 of A Heart So Savage

Kingston quivered with rage, the muscles in his arms tight beneath the bespoke suit coat. “Not before I get the opportunity to knock this bastard’s teeth out.”

Ava was frozen with indecision. If Kingston accosted the reporter, he’d likely find himself in handcuffs. Maybe even arrested for assault. This could be a chance to escape. The police could save her, sort it all out. She would be free of Kingston and his threats and the easy way he commanded her body’s responses.

But on the other hand, was she that certain of her safety if Kingston himself wasn’t the one providing it?

As if he possessed magical powers and could hear her every thought, Kingston’s gaze narrowed on Ava. His hand encircled her wrist, keeping her captive. “Whatever you’re thinking, it won’t work, Ava,” he muttered beneath his breath. “The police force in this precinct is in my pocket and my debt.”

“Are you a murderer like your father, Mister Kingston? Do you abduct women and sell them into the sex trade?” The same reporter was still shouting questions when Jack grabbed his arm. Forcing it high behind the man’s back, the security guard increased the pressure until the cellphone fell to the ground. More flashbulbs clicked, cell phones recording every moment of the impromptu altercation as Jack ground the phone beneath his heel.

“I’d advise you to shut the fuck up, dumbass. Otherwise, you’re looking at a defamation suit that’ll bankrupt you and the next seven generations of your miserable bloodline,” Jack muttered, flashing a grim smile in Kingston’s direction “Mister Winter has more money than the Devil himself, and you are in danger of finding out just how ruthless he really is.”

“Can’t the girl speak for herself?” The reporter grunted. “Or did he rip out her tongue like Alan Winter is rumored to have done to some of his victims?”

Kingston let out a feral growl, his fist closing convulsively around Ava’s wrist even as she tried pulling away. She pinned the reporter with a steely glare. “Of course, he hasn’t ripped out my tongue. What’s wrong with you? And no, he didn’t kidnap me off the street. I’m here of my own free will, you miscreant. Mister Winter has been a friend of my family for many years. Your accusations are outrageous and... and… unfounded!”

“Be quiet, Ava,” Kingston muttered, snatching her back against him. “I ordered you not to engage with them. This reckless disobedience will not be tolerated.”

“But he’s spreading rumors with those ridiculous questions. I can’t allow someone like him to tell such scandalous lies,” she hissed. Attempts to jerk free of Kingston’s grip proved futile so she directed her fury at the reporter. “For your information, this is the first time I’ve been invited to Mister Winter’s restaurant, and even if I had visited the club’s… dungeon… it would be none of your damn business. How dare you treat him like he’s a criminal. Like a serial killer. Or a human trafficker. You obviously know nothing about him. Or me.”

“Goddamnit. Shut up, Ava,” Kingston hauled her toward the building’s entrance as uniformed police and security guards swamped the plaza.

The four muscular and very physically fit guards were obviously in Kingston’s employ. They immediately followed Jack’s barked commands in dealing with the gaggle of reporters and photographers. Meanwhile, two uniformed policemen went about disbursing the crowd that had gathered on the sidewalk.

“No. Wait a minute, Kingston. Iwon’tshut up. Someone must state the truth and I want to—” Ava was so angry and indignant that at first the annoying buzz tickling her insides did not register. It hit her again. A tingling sensation. Low. Insistent. Invasive. It felt like a hoard of lazy bees swarming around a honey hive that had somehow grown between her thighs. The orgasm Kingston denied her earlier roared into sudden life, demanding to be set free. It was awful and monstrous and yet so pleasurable Ava’s eyes nearly rolled into the back of her head.

She stumbled but Kingston caught her around the waist and dragged inside the portico. Holding her flush against his body just outside the elegant glass doors of the foyer, his mouth brushed her ear.

“Shall I increase the level, lamb? Will you obey me now and shut your sweet mouth? Or should I push you to your knees right here and shove my cock down your throat while I use this toy to tease your wet pussy with the promise of an orgasm?”

ChapterSeventeen

Alittle bit of lamb

Served up for dinner.

And I’m a starving man.

Ava lookedas though she might pass out. Whether it was from the shock of his filthy threat or the toy’s vibrations rattling her world wasn’t quite clear.

Kingston slid his phone back into his pocket, satisfied she would listen to him now that he’d caught her full attention. The toy was set on the lowest level, and to his delight, she responded as though he’d turned it up full blast.

She was such a responsive little creature.

Leaving Jack to handle the shit show behind them, Kingston held Ava up by the arm and nudged her further into the grand foyer. She managed two steps before her knees buckled again. A small, helpless moan escaped her lips.

Kingston grinned. “I’ll happily carry you inside, Ava, if that’s what you want. But I suggest you pull yourself together.”

Her eyes fluttered shut. “Turn this damn thing off.” The words were hissed from between gritted teeth, her hands clenched into tiny fists. She would definitely take a swing at him if given the opportunity.

Kingston continued walking, forcing her to trip alongside him. He nodded at the tuxedo-clad doorman. “But we just started playing, Ava,” he murmured. “And you must learn to obey me.”

“It’s too much.” Ava’s gaze found his, her green eyes wild and stormy. Coming to a stop in the middle of the cavernous space of the building’s lobby, she resisted his efforts to keep moving forward. Instead, she wrapped her arms around her waist, glaring at him in a mix of arousal, fury, and desperation. “I don’t want…”

The words trailed off. She looked like a shiny, expensive jewel nestled in the midst of the lobby’s creamy marble and crystal accents. The silvery blue dress shimmered around her body, her full, pink lips parting in small gasps. Beneath the dress material, her nipples were plainly visible. Sweet, puckered rosebuds that made Kingston’s mouth water when he thought of tasting her.

Everything about Ava was intoxicating. Alluring. The perfect counterpoint of innocent temptress to his ruthlessly dark persona. And to Kingston’s mounting irritation, she drew the attention of every male with a beating pulse in the spacious lobby.

Possessive anger and the need to protect what was nowhisroiled inside his gut. Despite his calm exterior, he still wanted to smash his fists into the face of the reporter who dared touch Ava. Or any man who dared even glancing her way.

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