Page 13 of Brazen King

Killian scoffs, and for the first time since I laid eyes on him, he actually looks insulted. Like the idea of raping me genuinely offends him. So much so that he takes the slightest step back, relinquishing just enough pressure on my chest that I can breathe freely once again.

“I don’t need to force myself on women,” he says flatly.

Then, in the long silence that follows, he eyes me with a more serious consideration. It feels as though he’s trying to peel back the layers of my mind, to assess just how abhorrent I might find his offer.

And I’m terrified he might see the electric anticipation crackling around me—the inexplicable urge to feel what kind of pleasure a man like Killian King might be capable of delivering.

“I don’t offer deals to just anyone, love,” he says, keeping his voice measured. “And if you won’t take it, I suppose I’ll either kill you…or reveal your true identity to the world.”

My stomach plummets as I realize he might actually have a more effective form of blackmail than threatening to take my life.

He must see it on my face because Killian’s smirk returns in full force. “If I do that, your father will lose his strongest chess piece in our little game for power. Won’t he? And you won’t just become a target. You’ll be a liability.”

He says it so casually, I want to spit in his eye. But right now, a show of rebellion isn’t going to do anything but make my situation worse.

Breathing heavily, I release a frustrated scream as I give it all I’ve got. Pushing and shoving, I writhe against him, trying to break free. And for the span of a second, I actually think I might succeed. I manage to worm my arms free from where they’re trapped between us. And I go straight for his eyes, ready to claw them out if need be.

Grunting in surprise, Killian barely manages to keep me pinned down. But as soon as his fingers wrap around my wrists, I know I’m done for. He forces them up against the wall above me, and we pant together as he pins me once again, this time with the entire length of his body.

Heat surges through my core at the feel of his arousal pressed against my belly. And when he releases a breathy laugh, my eyes shift instinctually to his perfectly shaped lips.

“Man, you are a firecracker,” he observes. “Who’d have thought Boris Sokolov raised his daughters to be so strong? I pictured you two getting ripped to shreds when he dies. But if your sister’s half as fierce as you, I pity the man who thinks he can lay claim to your inheritance.”

“Funny you should say that and still have the gall to make me the offer you just did,” I snap.

“Yeah, well, considering I’ve got you pretty well pinned down, I figure this is my best shot of getting what I want.”

“You’re a pig,” I hiss, glaring up at him.

“Be that as it may, you’ll have to give me an answer eventually.”

“And if I don’t?”

Killian shrugs. “I suppose I’ll get bored and kill you.”

So there it is. Those are my options. Die. Betray my family. Or give my body over to Killian—and live to kill him tomorrow.

“And if I agree? How can I trust that you won’t reveal my identity the first chance you get?”

“I’m a man of my word, Miss Sokolov. I might be a cocky prick, but have I ever given you reason to doubt my honesty? I promise, your secret’s safe with me. Besides, from where I stand, I don’t see you have much choice but to trust me.”

“Fine,” I say coldly.

“Fine, you’ll trust me?” he teases.

“No.” Clenching my teeth, I work to keep my temper in check. “But I’ll sleep with you.”

Killian hums appreciatively, his eyes dancing with victory.

“You better savor it, though,” I hiss, “because this is the one and only time you’ll ever have me. And make no mistake, thiswillbe your last night on earth.”

Killian’s low, sultry chuckle is fearless. “I assure you, love, I intend to savor every moment. And if it is my last night, I can’t think of anyone I’d rather spend it with.”

Heat blossoms in my core at his dark promise, and the air vanishes from my lungs.

Suddenly, I can feel every inch of my flesh that’s touching him. The friction building between our bodies.

He’s so close—too close. And yet, as he leans in, I’m terrified by the possibility that I might want him to come closer. His light-green eyes dart down to my lips, and I see his intention right before he acts upon it.

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