Page 46 of A Heart So Savage

“Try again,” Kingston smirked.

“Fine. I’m allergic to you,” Ava snapped, her mouth pulling tight when she saw the obvious aggravation flash in Kingston’s gaze.

“You should amend your tone, lamb.”

Taking a deep breath, Ava folded her hands in her lap and lowered her head. After a few moments of silence, she finally muttered, “Forgive my rudeness, sir. My temper got the best of me just now. I can’t…I can’t seem to think straight at the moment.”

Kingston nearly crowed in victory but stopped short of expressing delight. Because suddenly, her meekness, the way she caved, it all felt… hollow. The words were simply a way of appeasing him. What did it say about him that he liked it much better when she fought him?

But that wasn’t realistic. When she struggled against his will, he was left with no choice but to punish her, and although her spirited behavior was enchanting, he couldn’t let her lash out however she wanted.

How far would Ava take these displays of rebellion? Would she push and push until he snapped in anger and truly punished her? Would she make him hurt her?

Would she want him to? More importantly, would she allow it?

“Let’s start again, Ava, shall we?” His voice remained even. Composed. He was positive he could get what he wanted out of her, and have her happy to give in, if he just applied himself to the task.

Ava gave him a startled look, clearly not expecting his calm demeanor. Especially since their interactions were usually rife with heat and lust and maybe even a thread of insanity. “Start again?”

“Let’s pretend this is something other than what it is. Let’s treat this evening as though we were on a real date.”

“A date.” Her emerald-colored eyes narrowed. “Are you being serious right now?”

Kingston captured her hand, rubbing a thumb over her knuckles. He wouldn’t let her pull away, not even when the champagne arrived. Henri ceremoniously popped the cork, pouring the sparkling beverage into exquisitely cut crystal flutes before backing away from the table.

Kingston’s smile was both deadly and infinitely charming once they were alone again. “Very serious. What do you like to do on dates?”

Ava sat quietly for a moment, a calculating gleam in her eyes catching the candlelight. “Drake Cornerstone took me bowling once. It was fun, in an eighth-grade kind of way. Do you like to gobowling,sir?”

His jaw tightened. He knew what she was up to, and it worked. The young lawyer had done nothing more than kiss Ava, but Kingston couldn’t keep from thinking of the places the man’s fingers might have invaded. Given more time to gain her trust, Cornerstone might have succeeded in fucking Ava first.

Jealousy nipped Kingston like an angry beast.

“I despise bowling. I’d rather sink my fingers into other holes.” he raised Ava’s hand, brushing his mouth over her soft knuckles. “Shall I demonstrate?”

Ava sucked in a breath, the pulse pounding in her neck with such force Kingston could see it in the dim light.

Ducking her head, she pulled her hand from his grip and grabbed the champagne flute. “You’ve already done that.” She took a long drink before setting the glass down beside gleaming silver cutlery. Picking up the thick napkin, she gave her lips a delicate swipe before laying the cloth across her lap.

“Ahh, but you’ve not received the full treatment yet, lamb. There are so many ways I can use these fingers to your enjoyment. Ways you are still so innocent of.” Kingston picked up his own glass and let out a sigh. “But we’ve veered off topic. Tell me your idea of a perfect date and I’ll make it happen. Within reason, of course.”

Ava’s gaze flickered to his then returned to studying the champagne bubbles fizzing inside the glass. “What difference would it make? You are only using my body to erase a two-million-dollar debt. Talking about dates and what I like is just your way of messing with my head.”

Were those tears in her eyes? It was hard to say for certain. She wouldn’t look at him, her thick eyelashes concealing her distress. Her sadness tweaked something inside his chest. Made it tight and achy.

“You forget I’m keeping you safe as part of that agreement.” Kingston took a sip of champagne. “Humor me, lamb. If it helps, you can pretend we’re a real couple.”

“You said once before you knew everything about me,” Ava said softly. “Was that a lie?”

“You know the answer to that.” Kingston smirked. “When it comes to you, nothing is a secret.”

Ava’s eyes were diamond bright with tears and flashing anger. There was not a submissive bone in her body at that moment, and Kingston was thrilled to see it.

“You tell me what I like to do on a date,” she practically snarled. “Youpretend you want to impress me. Pretend you would do anything to make me happy. Give me a reason to give you a goodnight kiss at the end of the evening. Work for it, Kingston Winter. Because not everything you want should fall into your lap.”

ChapterEighteen

Tighten your hands.

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