Page 59 of Ruthless Bonds

“Careful,kotic.” Kreos pulled me closer, nuzzling into my neck. “If you don’t stop that, then I’ll have to reconsider my plan of waiting until our wedding nightto claim you again.” To emphasize, he rolled his hips and thrust against me, making me gasp.

My skin heated when I realized I’d been busted. I bit my bottom lip, squeezing my eyes shut. Maybe he would think I was doing it in my sleep. Sleep grinding had to be a thing, right? Like sleepwalking?

I yelped when he rolled over on top of me. He nestled himself between my spread legs, his cock pressed right into my panty-clad pussy. God, it was even better like this. His eyes were dark, half-lidded with lust as he gazed down at my lips. “Pretending to be asleep?” He quirked his eyebrow.

My mouth opened, closed and then opened again, but I couldn’t think of a single comeback. I scoffed, which turned into a slight laugh, making him smile.

He leaned back on his heels, and I did my absolute best not to look down. I’d been trapped by that Adonis belt once already, I wouldn’t—

OK, I looked.

It was impossible not to. The black silk pajama bottoms he wore did nothing to disguise how hard his cock was. And because he apparently had absolutely no shame, he stroked himself through the material, never taking his eyes off me.

He smirked as I leaned up on my elbows and watched him. “If you want something,kotic, just ask.”

I tapped my finger against my lips. “Do you think Vlad will make me pancakes? I kind of want some.”

His eyes darkened, and he leaned over me, caging me inside his arms. “A word of advice. Never say another man’s name when I’m between your legs.” Goosebumps erupted over my arms at his tone. It wasn’tthe least bit playful. No, he was deadly serious.

Before I could respond, there was a knock at the door.

“Understood?” He quirked his brow, and I nodded.

He spoke to whoever was at the door, then headed into the shower. I took that time to give myself a good scolding. How had I gone from wanting to kill him just days ago to now grinding myself all over him in his bed? Was I really going to make it that easy for him? Like all he had to do was flash his muscular body, and I would drop to my knees?

Get a grip.

I knew it could be so easy to lose myself to him and this game we were playing. But I had to remind myself of the harsh reality of the situation. This wasn’t love. It was an arrangement with a powerful and controlling man who wanted to use me for his gain. Kreos didn’t love me, and I didn’t love him. I had to stop giving in so easily, otherwise he would eat me up and spit me right out.

There was only one way forward. Play the part of a willing fiancée while secretly planning my escape. I’d need to hide some money away, find evidence or some type of leverage to use against him in case he wouldn’t let me go, then get the hell out of here.

One day at a time. I could do it if I was patient and stopped losing sight of who I really was.

My little pep talk gave me a new sense of determination. Kreos came out wrapped in a towel, but I refused to look at him. I had to be strong and stop thinking with my body instead of my mind. I jumped in the shower and, even though I was forced to use hisbody wash, I didn’t let that deter me from my new plan.

When I came back into the room, I stopped dead in my tracks. Kreos was on the bed, my box on his lap. He was holding the card he’d given me all those years ago.

“What are you doing?” I stomped over to him. “Haven’t you heard of a little thing called privacy before?”

He chuckled and flipped the card over. “I thought you threw this away?”

“You have no right to look through my stuff. Why is this even here?” The words died on my lips as some of the house staff came through, their arms loaded with all the fancy new clothes he’d gotten me. They walked into another part of the room, which I realized must be the closet, and disappeared inside. Moments later, they came marching back out.

“I’m moving your things in here.” He flipped the card between his fingers.

“OK, fine, well, don’t snoop. This box is private and none of your business.” I made a grab for it, but he moved it just out of my reach.

“Everything about you is my business.” His eyes darkened, and he pulled out the blue envelope. “Is this a letter from a former lover, Alora?” His voice was laced with anger, but I wasn’t afraid of him. If anything, I was the one who was angry now. “Is this the reason you disobeyed me yesterday? You didn’t want to leave this behind?” He studied the envelope closely. Fear gripped me as I realized he might open it.

“Don’t.” I held my hand up. “Please. It’s—from my brother. It’s the last thing he left me before he died.”

His eyes softened slightly, and a look crossedover his face that reminded me of remorse, except I knew a man like him was incapable of feeling such an emotion.

“Tell me what happened to him.” He held the letter in one hand and patted the bed next to him.

God, this was not how I’d wanted my morning to go. But I knew I had no choice. If I didn’t tell him, he might open it. And I just wasn’t ready to face whatever was inside.

I sat down next to him, my shoulders slumping. “My older brother Jameson was my best friend and the closest thing to a father I ever had. Mom had him young, so he was ten years older than me. I could count on him for anything and everything: late nights helping me with homework, making sure we had food on the table because Mom was always gone at work, and being the loudest cheerleader at any of my school functions.

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