Page 45 of A Heart So Savage

But it was his brother who deserved the lion’s share of his wrath.

Damn you, Oliver.Without a doubt, Oliver was to blame for this fiasco. What else explained the probing questions? The vile reminders of their father’s proclivities for abusing women?

Yeah. He’d bet his life as well as his fortune that it was Oliver who tipped off the more aggressive press members. Just like he had notified the local police to pay them a visit.

“Good evening, Mister Winter. It’s wonderful to see you tonight. I hope the unfortunate incident you experienced outside the building has been dealt with to your satisfaction.”

Kingston’s gaze flickered away from Ava. His hand itched to snatch her up, throw her over his knee, and spank her until she cried. He would enjoy it. She would as well, especially with that toy buzzing around her insides and making her frantic with the need to come.

“Hello, Tipton,” he addressed the executive concierge. The elderly man supervised the building like the captain of a tightly run ship. “Don’t worry about that.” He waved a dismissive hand, indicating the scene outside the building. “Jack has it under control.”

“Very good, sir. I’m sure he does.” The man straightened his jaunty tuxedo bowtie and gave Kingston an indulgent smile. “They’re anticipating your arrival at CRUSH; however, I’ll inquire as to your pleasure this evening, sir. Downstairs or up?”

“Dinner, I believe. Tipton, excuse me for a moment.” Turning his back to the man, Kingston covered the few steps between himself and Ava. She trembled at his approach, fidgeting with that minuscule purse, and shifting from one foot to the other. Leaning into her personal space, he whispered in her ear, “Do you know what I’m considering right now, Ava?”

A breathy sigh escaped her when he trailed a knuckle down the bare expanse of her back. “No.” She swayed as though teetering on the verge of swooning.

“I’m thinking about skipping dinner. I’m thinking about taking you downstairs to one of the private rooms in my exclusive club and turning that toy up to its highest level. I’m thinking I want you screaming my name as I make you come again and again.”

Ava’s eyes lifted to meet his. Tears sparkled in the unfocused depths as the vibrator did its job of keeping her on the edge without allowing her to fall over. Her hands clenched and unclenched, her honeysuckle perfume mingling with the sweetly intoxicating scent of her arousal.I hope no one else gets close enough to breathe her in. She really will start a brawl. A goddamn war.

“Okay,” she replied in a strained voice barely above a whisper.

A grunt of satisfaction escaped Kingston but it was tempered with a bit of regret. He wasn’t playing fair with her. Why that bothered him proved mystifying. Why he suddenly wanted to shield her from everything bad in the world—including himself— was infuriating.

Reaching into his suit coat pocket, Kingston swiped the vibrator’s app off.

Relief washed over Ava’s features. She sagged against him, biting her bottom lip in confusion at the abrupt display of dubious mercy.

“Upstairs, Tipton, if you please,” Kingston said over his shoulder to the concierge. “Miss Blue requires sustenance before we can even think of exploring the scandalous delights offered elsewhere inside this building.” Smiling down at her, the hint of wickedness curving his lips provided just enough assurance that he certainly wasn’t done punishing her. “So, dinner first, my needy little lamb.” His promise was meant for her ears only. “My dessert will be served later.”

* * *

Ava murmured a soft ‘thank you’when the maître d indicated they’d reached their table.

“Henri, a bottle of Cristal Rosé, please,” Kingston murmured, following Ava as she slid across the booth’s black leather. “Two flutes.”

It was interesting to watch how Ava hid her uncomfortable expression both from Kingston and his employee. No one would ever guess that a pleasure toy rested snugly inside her tight little pussy. His finger itched to turn back on.

“At once, sir.” Henri snapped his fingers at the head waiter, and turned back to Kingston. “David will be your server tonight. Will you have the usual for your evening meal, Mister Kingston? Or perhaps indulge in something out of the ordinary? Miss Blue, we can prepare anything your heart desires. Our chefs are among the finest in the world. I’m sure you’ll agree once you’ve sampled the artistry of CRUSH’s culinary masterpieces.”

“The usual will be fine,” Kingston paused. “For both of us.”

Ava’s frown was downright mutinous. “Maybe I don’t want the usual. Maybe I want something else. Like a cheeseburger. Or ribs. Henri? Do you have barbecue spareribs?”

Henri froze, no doubt surprised by the resentful tone of Ava’s response.

“Don’t mind Miss Blue, Henri. She’s simply frustrated by something I denied her earlier this evening. I’ve erred in spoiling her, and this sullen attitude is the result.” Kingston chucked. “And yes, we will both have the usual.”

“Of course, sir. I shall put in the order myself and instruct the chef to apply all his skill in creating a magnum opus.” The elderly man bowed again and briskly walked away, his fingers snapping again at their waiter.

“Ava, you don’t like cheeseburgers, and CRUSH doesn’t offer southern barbecue. You’ll have the blackened sea scallops tossed in a creamy wine sauce instead.”

Ava’s chin tilted. “I’m allergic to scallops.”

“No, you’re not.”

“I’m allergic to blackened seasoning.”

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