Page 19 of Dark Embers

“If you let me help you find your sister,” I promise in silky tones, “you won’t have to spend a cent. My security team is more than enough to handle the investigation.”

I shift, moving closer, my arm curling behind her over the back of the sofa. She downs her champagne quickly, and I can’t help but chuckle softly.

“Slowly with this one…” I tease, leaning forward to fill up her glass again. “I don’t want you to get drunk.”

Sabrina gives me a side eye, her eyes narrow suspiciously. “Why?”

“I’m concerned about you driving home, or your liver.” I answer innocently, knowing full well she’s asking me why I’m so eager to help find Tara.

“Why are you so eager to find my sister?” She takes another slow swallow of the golden bubbly liquid. “What are you going to do if you find her?”

“Bring her home safely to you and your mother.” My eyes hold hers.

“Or lock her in your cousin's dungeon beneath the Diamond Hotel to torture information about your brother's murder from her?” She bristles, her spine stiffening and any desire she was feeling fades with her anger.

Fuck this is not the angle I was going for. I keep underestimating just how sharp and intelligent this little minx is. Syd’s report on her rings through my mind:

Sabrina is a high-potential individual with an IQ that is off the charts. Not only that, she is also a remarkable human specimen. All her school reports are filled with how she excels at everything she puts her mind to including sports, music… One of her track coaches remarked that he’d never seen anyone quite like Sabrina. She was always shorter than her classmates, never trained a day to run, but then would beat his best runner without breaking a sweat in sprints or long distance.

My gut clenches and my desires deepens at the reminder, making me want her even more. Fuck, I think after reading that report, even Syd, who is not gay, was intrigued and I know that she probably had the same thoughts I did: Someone like Sabrina would make the perfect submissive and how exciting it would be to break her in.

“I don’t think we’ll want your help.” Sabrina’s voice snaps me from my reverie and a moment of panic sweeps through me as I see she is on the verge of leaving. Her anger washing away any desire or fascination she’d had for me gone at the thought that I may want to harm her sister. Which is also telling and has now shown me exactly what her weakness is—her family.

“No, that’s not what I intend to do,” I opt to tell her the truth, or part thereof. “I want to ask Tara some questions that’s all—” Stopping Sabrina as she lifts the glass to her lips, I take it from her making sure our hands brush. “Why don’t I take this… I don’t want alcohol clouding your judgement.”

“I’d say the alcohol had started to lull me into a false sense of thinking for a moment that you might actually want to help us.” She starts reaching forward for her purse she’d put on the coffee table as we sat down. “Although not enough to thankfully see past what you’re trying to do.”

“All I’m trying to do is offer you my help.” I reach out and stop her from picking up her purse. “Wait!” My hand is covering hers and I see her starting to melt into my touch once again but she forces herself to snap out of it and yanks her hand and purse from beneath mine. I let her and she shoves the strap of her purse over her shoulder but doesn’t rise from the sofa. “I promise I won’t even talk to Tara without you present.” I see her hesitate. “You can even have your sugar daddy… Sam was it? With you.”

Her eyes narrow and a brow rises. “Go on,” she prompts.

“I will even sign a contract that you can draw up stating that I won’t go near Tara or allow my men to ask her any questions when they find her,” I’m making this up as I go in a desperate attempt to lull her back into a state of curious desire.Fuck she’s even more than I could ever have imagined and so, so, much more challenging my desire is rising to a level it’s never hit before and I know one thing—I will have her—tonight. Not only will I have her, but she’ll be begging me to take her. “You can word it as you want, and I will sign it with no questions asked.”

She sizes me up and I can see her mind ticking over through those beautiful blue eyes that have spent years hiding just how fucking intelligent and sharp little Miss I’m a sassy rebel really is.

“I’ll think about it.” She tilts her head, knowing she won this round and fuck me if she hasn’t. Because I really would’ve promised her just about anything to get her not to storm off at that moment.

Jesus! What the fuck is happening to me?When did I lose control of this narrative? But rather than annoyance at having my control challenged, my desire heats up as I realize Sabrina thinks she has the upper hand. The hunted is trying to become the hunter. I take in a breath as I observe her—fuck she’s magnificent.

“How about we drink to that?”

“No!” Sabrina’s hand grabs mine and stops me from reaching out for our drinks on the coffee table. The heat sparks between as our skin touches and her eyes widen with the jolt locking with mine. “I… um… I…”

A slow smile spreads across my lips, my hand curling around hers.

“Your skin is just as soft and silky smooth as your hair.” My voice is low, carrying promise as I feel the softness of her palm. My hand clasps hers while my other runs slowly up her arm. Iwatch the shiver ripple down her body as her skin responds to my touch.

“Sabrina…” Wasting no time, I pull her back against the sofa, my mouth tracing the shell of her ear. My teeth nip gently while my other hand grips her jaw, turning her head to grant me access to her neck. Her scent envelops me, and every compliment I murmur is a spark that draws her deeper into desire.

I feel her melt beneath my touch, and I guide her face to look at mine. “Stand up and let me look at you,” I tell her, the words soft but laced with authority.

Her eyes are wide with a flicker of something close to astonishment. Sabrina hesitates—but only for a second—before I flick my thumb over her nipple through the fabric of her blouse, feeling it harden beneath my touch, making her gasp.

“Stand and let me look at you.” Repeating the command, I squeeze softly this time, cupping her breast, kneading it, and drawing a rich moan from deep within her.

“This is the last time I will tell you.” Sabrina’s body instinctively arches towards me, clearing any doubt from my mind that she wants this, as the darkening of her eyes reveals her need. “Stand and let me look at you.”

Sabrina rises, unsure, confused, and surprised by her compliance. A thrill surges through me as she stands there in front of me, warring with herself. Her body is weak with want and curious with what I’m offering while her sharp mind is trying to spark a rebellion. I sit, savoring every second. My eyes devour her petite, toned form and skin. I feel a surge of desire and excitement for what lies ahead.

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