Page 38 of Split

Like when he had me on my knees in front of Clara.

He could do the same thing right now, in front of Niko… but rather than that thought inciting a wave of dread, I’m completely taken aback at the rush of titillation that spears through me as I envision Niko’s piercing blue eyes fixed on me while I pleasure my husband, intensely watching my every move, wishing he could take his place…

Heat licks up my spine and I subtly rock over Roman’s lap, rubbing back and forth over the stiff ridge of his shaft. I’m playing a dangerous game by teasing him this way, but I’m suddenly unconcerned about the consequences, so long as this ends with me writhing in the throes of climax.

Hisgames usually do, so why shouldn’tmine?

Roman grips my hip tighter in warning, abruptly clearing his throat and cutting Niko off mid-sentence. “We can go over the rest of the details later,” he says gruffly. “Follow up with Sorrentino, see if he’ll fly out here for a meeting.”

“Will do, boss,” Niko replies with a dutiful nod, picking up on my husband’s dismissive tone and pushing up from his chair. “Anything else?”

“Close the door behind you,” Roman grumbles.

Niko nods again, those stunning baby blues darting my way one last time before he turns around and swiftly exits the office.

Well damn. There goes that fantasy.

As soon as the door snicks closed behind his second, Roman grabs me by the chin roughly, turning my face to his. “What do you think you’re doing?” he snarls.

I bat my lashes at him, playing innocent. “What do you mean? You’re the one who called me over to sit on your lap, I was just…”

“Are you that desperate for my attention?” he snaps, green eyes narrowing menacingly. “Or were you trying to get Niko’s?”

My heart stutters in my chest, fear wrapping its icy claws around my throat.Is my crush on Niko that obvious?From the way Roman’s looking at me, the answer is yes, and this just took a treacherous turn. If I don’t manage to quickly steer this train back on the track, I have a feeling Mr. Hyde will be coming out to play.

I turn at the waist, looping my arms around Roman’s neck and gazing into his emerald eyes with all the fraudulent adoration I can muster. “Can’t a wife desire her husband?” I purr.

He stares back at me disbelievingly, fingers flexing their grip around my hip. “Show me.”

“What?” I question, blinking at him.

“If you’re so eager to please me, then take your clothes off, wife,” he bites out, eyes darkening. “I want to see what I paid for.”

Hatred boils like acid in my veins, but I’m far too adept at faking smiles. It’s how I’ve survived all miserable twenty-twoyears of my existence, and it’s how I’ll make it out of this farce of a marriage alive.

I’m about to put on the performance of a lifetime.

Darting him my sultriest smile, I rise from his lap, taking a step backwards and toeing off my ankle boots. He swivels his chair to face me, eyes turning molten as he watches me drag my sweater dress up over my hips. I pull it off over my head, balling up the soft fabric in my hands before dropping it on his desk.

Roman leans back, bringing a fist to his mouth as he takes in the sight of me in my sheer black tights and lacy bra and panty set, gaze raking over my form appreciatively. Dr. Jekylldoesprefer me in black, after all.

His stare is so intense that a shiver tracks up my spine as I slowly roll my tights down my hips, then remove my bra and panties, baring myself completely to him. He eats me up with his gaze as I step toward him, my breasts spilling forward as I lean in and slide my hands onto his thick shoulders. “Is this what you wanted?” I whisper huskily.

He doesn’t respond like he normally does. Every time I’ve played the seductress, he’s thrown me against the nearest surface and had his way with me. This time, he’s so much more restrained. His gaze is no less heated than it usually is when I’m naked, but it’s decidedly calmer.Eerily calm.

“Turn around and bend over the desk,” he murmurs, the low, gravelly tone of his voice rattling down to my bones.

Fear and desire wage a war inside me as I move to comply with his directive, pressing my hips against the edge of his desk and bending forward over it. The wood is chilly beneath my palms as I lower myself down, stifling a whimper when my hard nipples scrape the frigid surface.

I brace myself for the press of his cock against my bare center, but it doesn’t come. I don’t hear him unfasten his pantsor even rise out of his chair. The anticipation becomes too much, until I’m wiggling my ass in invitation, tempting the devil.

He doesn’t rise to the bait.

The quiet persists.

“Are we doing this, or should I put my clothes back on?” I huff, whipping my head around to cut him a glare over my shoulder.

I shriek as his palm claps down on my ass, a sharp shot of pain firing through me.

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