Page 46 of Brutal King

“I’ve seen things that make me wonder. Don’t forget I’ve been roaming the house for weeks.”

Now it’s my turn to narrow my gaze. “What things?”

She shakes her head and ignores my question. Instead, she says, “I want to play a game.”

“All right.”

“Five guesses at the code, anytime I wish. You will see it on the cameras, but will do nothing. If I get it right, you let me step through and use one of the many cars I’m almost positive you own. You’ll let me go.”

“Two guesses,” I counter as I come closer. Though she doesn’t step away, her breath hitches. Fuck, I love the way she reacts to me. The way her pupils dilate and her cheeks flush. And her lips… They part every time for me. Even if she doesn’t realize it, she’s ready for my kiss.

Soon, she will be ready for more than that.

Unable to help myself, I wrap a finger around a tendril of hair that’s come lose from the pencil bun. Then, I trail my hand down to encircle her throat, feeling her erratic heartbeat in my fingertips.

My dick twitches at the thought of my hand grasping her like this, of her pulse wild as she falls apart beneath me.

She takes a hold of my wrist, but makes no attempt to pull me away. Instead, she tilts her face up, exposing more of herself. An invitation?

“Five,” she whispers. “Five guesses.”

“Three.” I smile, and lean forward until my mouth is a millimeter from the shell of her ear. “One for every one of your holes I’ll get to fuck when you fail. Your pretty mouth. Your sweet pussy. And your as?—”

“T-two, then.”

I chuckle. “I’ll change your mind about that. I promise.” When she’s ready, I’ll be only too happy to give it to her.

Dipping my face into the crook of her neck, I kiss her there. It’s not a peck, but something much deeper. I taste her, sliding my tongue across her skin. She’s sweet and a tiny bit salty with the sweat from working in the warm room.

She lets out a small desperate moan as she clasps my dress shirt. My dick is instantly rock hard.

Raising my lips to her ear once again, I say, “Be good while I’m gone, Little Bird.”

12

SOFIA

For the first time since my arrival at Kingsbrook Manor, I see other people. Granted, it’s through the window of a room across the hall, an empty mirror image of my own. There are two men dressed in what appears to be black military gear, with a bulletproof vest and a rifle held in both their hands.

One is standing at the edge of the helipad and the other is talking to Gideon by the helicopter, probably getting instructions on what to do if I attempt an escape from the looks of it, because he glances toward the house several times.

Gideon then slaps the guy on the shoulder in way of dismissal. The man jogs toward his partner and Gideon climbs into the chopper. The blades begin to spin, and shortly after, he’s airborne.

I touch my hand to my neck as he disappears over the horizon. His kiss is so present, a pulsing burn on my skin, that he might as well still be here. It was his way of making sure I couldn’t forget about him even while he’s gone.

God, please let him have been speaking the truth when he told me he wouldn’t be going after Luca. I’d never forgive myself if because of my obsession with the gift Gideon gave me, I cost my brother his life.

Dammit. IamBelle. One gift and I lose sight of my mission. Seducing him has been put on the backburner, not that I have a clue where to start with a man like him. It’s especially hard when he can read my loathing so well.

He suggested I tap into my evil charm. I seem to do that without trying. There’s just something about Gideon that brings out the worst in me. Could it really be as easy as that? Giving in to my desire to snap at him, throttle him, bite him?

Yes. I think he rather likes me a little evil.

Because he wants to dominate you at your strongest.

That thought comes out of nowhere, but it rings true. Yes, there’s more to it than that, I can sense it. It’s more complex. Whatever he wants from me goes deeper than mere control. What am I missing?

Winter walks in to the empty room and hops onto the window bench. He meows and I pick him up, bringing him close.

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