Page 53 of A Heart So Savage

Kingston’s blood flared inside his veins. “That will be all, David.”

David’s gaze shot to Kingston upon hearing the unmistakable annoyance in his words. “Of course, sir. Good evening, Mister Winter. Miss Blue.”

Kingston waited until the pair left the table before turning his attention to Ava. She watched him with a strange gleam in her eyes, perhaps recognizing the jealousy swirling inside his gut like a rogue typhoon.

“Flirting with the help, lamb? That isn’t acceptable behavior. Not to worry, though. I’ve ways of breaking you of that.”

ChapterTwenty

Twist and turn me about.

I’m yours to torment.

Yours to keep.

Ava’s maintainedher composure with masterful effort.

“Flirting? I don’t know what you mean.”

“Lying isn’t acceptable either.” Kingston picked up a spoon, dipping it into his Crème Brûlée. “I’ve already explained these rules.” He held the spoon to her lips, waiting until she reluctantly accepted being fed by him.

She couldn’t help the small sound of pleasure she made as the decadent dessert slid down her throat. “You keep changing the rules, Kingston. How am I expected to keep up with all of them?” He fed her another bite and she moaned again. “Oh my God. This is amazing.”

“I thought you would enjoy it,” he murmured, taking his own bite. “Now, to continue our discussion.”

Ava grabbed her spoon and broke through the caramelized sugar crust of the dessert. “I wasn’t flirting. It’s called being polite. You should try it sometimes.”

“You must really enjoy being punished.” A faint smile lifted the corners of Kingston’s mouth at her insolence. “Or maybe you just like pushing my buttons.”

The accusation startled Ava. She shook her head, concentrating on tapping the Crème Brûlée’s crust and shattering it bit by bit. “That’s not true. It’s just that you can be so infuriating sometimes. And I can’t always keep my reactions in check around you.”

“You don’t always have to, lamb.”

Ava pensively admitted, “I don’t like being so… angry about this situation. I don’t like having my choices taken from me. And I especially don’t like being at your mercy all the time.”

“I don’t expect you to like it, Ava. But you will obey me.”

“Doesn’t it get exhausting? Being a heavy-handed, irrational brute all hours of the day and night?”

Kingston laughed out loud. “It’s my nature. Besides, I’ve told you repeatedly that this is for your own protection. My enemies would love to get their hands on you. You wouldn’t last long if that occurred.”

Ava licked her spoon before realizing Kingston’s gaze was fixated on her mouth. She slowly lowered the utensil to the bowl. “Do you have any intention of telling me what you know of Carson and my parents’ death?”

“Not much has changed.” Kingston drained his champagne flute. “The details are murky, but outside individuals are covering the truth for their own benefit. I have a team on it, but even my best hackers haven’t reached the bottom of this particular well. All I can say for certain is that Carson is involved somehow. And that means you are not safe.”

It was hard to believe her own brother could be so cruel, but Ava had discovered that power, money, and greed could turn ordinary men into monsters.

Pushing away the bowl of dessert, she slumped against the leather booth seat, feeling defeated and incredibly stupid. Tears pricked her eyes and she let out a huge sigh.

“You are tired, aren’t you, lamb?” Kingston asked softly.

“Yes,” Ava admitted, putting her pride aside as exhaustion seeped into her bones. Shewastired. Bone tired. Soul tired.

“Too tired to come for me?”

The question was a silken web of temptation. It could also be a trap and back her into a corner.

“Yes… no. I don’t know.” She glanced at him from beneath the fringe of her eyelashes. “I’m afraid of what you will do. You always use my words against me. And you enjoy punishing me entirely too much.”

---