Page 28 of Vengeful Lies

That son of a bitch is fucking with me, and yet I can’t look away, imagining what it might feel like to have him inside me. I fantasized about it nudging at my entrance last night when I sat on his lap. Heat spreads up my body as I recall his hand around my throat.

Fuck.

I jump, goose bumps erupting over my skin, as three defiantly loud knocks come from the front door. I immediately close my screen and hurry from my bedroom, but Jenny has already beaten me to the apartment door. She twists to look at me, her expression a mix of shock and suspicion. No doubt because of the asshole with a sultry gaze staring at me from theother side of the threshold as if it’s his God-given right to show up at my apartment.

Shit.

And to make a point, he steps inside before being welcomed in. He scans the room, most likely because it’s smaller than the bedroom he grew up in.

“Umm, hello?” Jenny says in a high-pitched voice. Eww. Why do people go gaga over this man? Yes, he’s attractive, there is no denying that, but shouldn’t she be more concerned with the man barging in without introduction?

“Jewel.” He says my name, ignoring Jenny, as his ethereal gaze lands on me again. In the daylight, with the sun shining through the windows, they look almost silver, much like his mother’s. It’s bizarre to see him in the daylight.

I cross my arms over my chest, conscious of my pajama shorts and tight tank top that clings to my naked frame. He seems to notice the same. I lean my shoulder against wall.

“I thought the devil only works at night,” I say dryly.

Jenny’s mouth drops open. “You’re here for Jewel?” she says in disbelief. Come on, he clearly looks dangerous. She’d have a fucking coronary if I told her this man’s an outright killer.

Eli glances over his shoulder at her as if noticing her for the first time. I don’t like his casual outfit, which still consists of a long-sleeved button-up shirt to hide his sinful tattoos and a body that isn’t fair for anyone to witness because once seen, you can’t unsee it. I can’t not compare it to all the men that came before him and they don’t even come close. And I hate adding to his God complex, which is why I’ll never admit it out loud.

“Yes, I’m dating Jewel and thought I’d come by for a quick hello between business meetings. And you are?” Eli flicks her a charismatic smile, and I want to gag at the monster playing housecat. Jenny blushes the moment he offers his hand, and she takes it. She looks equally awestruck and confused.

Yes, it’s so unfathomable to believe me, the person who stays in her room other than to go shooting or to work, has a boyfriend.

I don’t even attempt to dispute him because poor Jenny can’t take any more confusion right now, but I narrow my gaze, unimpressed by his antics.

“Did you forget I was coming over, Kitten?” he asks sweetly.

A shudder of revulsion rolls through me at the pet name.

“Kitten?” Jenny says, baffled, as he removes his hand from hers. I can tell by the way he’s looking at it that his particular immaculate self most likely wants to scrub his hands.

“Let’s get this over with,” is all I say as I lean my back against the wall to make space for him. Not that it’s enough, considering the width of the fucking man.

He seems amused as he stares down at me while walking past. Then he grabs me by the wrist and pulls me into my own room, closing the door behind us.

The moment the door closes, he drops my wrist and glances around the very empty space. I have nothing personal in here, apart from a few books and a photo of my father and me. When he notices the photo, he picks it up. I don’t like him studying it so intently, but it’s no liability, either. The only thing really worth anything is the box in the corner, and the only thing hiding the contents is the thin cardboard lid.

The longer he stares at the photo, the more uncomfortable I become, not because he’s in my room but because I can’t stop my gaze from tracing down his shoulders and back, imagining the video I was watching only a few minutes ago. The heated flush returns to my cheeks with a vengeance, and I’m fucking furious he has this type of hold over me.

“Your father is dead, correct?” he asks, breaking me from my thoughts.

“Yes.” I step away from the door and place my hands behind my back. I’m just grateful I don’t store my guns here. They’re the only possessions of mine that mean anything to me. So, giving him access to this room is nothing. He can burn it down for all I care; everything is replaceable.

“And your mother?”

“I’m sure you know all the details, so why are you here?”

“Did you like the food I sent?” he asks, putting my photo back down and then wandering around the room. He runs a finger along the window sill as if looking for dust.Prick. I might not own much furniture, but I’m not a slob.

“No, I gave it to Jenny,” I tell him. “I’m vegan.”

“Liar,” he says as he trails his hand along the wall and stops at my dresser. He opens the first drawer and pauses as he stares down at the array of colorful lace. He pulls out a red G-string and holds it up with one finger.

Still holding my underwear, he asks, “Should I take these?”

“Why would you want to take them?”

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