Page 35 of Cruel Vows

From what I’ve heard from Aiden, Kara is the only real friend Ellie has. It’s why I hired her to continue to work Ellie’s security detail. If I hadn’t, I’m sure she would’ve only caused me more problems.

Kara steps to the side. “She’s in there and she’s pissed. Boss, I mean this as someone who knows Ellie and not someone who would think to tell you what to do, but you should let her cool down. She’s like a feral cat when she’s angry.”

“Thank you, but I know how to deal with her. I’ve been doing it for the last sixteen years of my goddamn life.” I sigh and gesture down the hall. “You can take the rest of the night off. I’ll be with her.”

Kara casts a glance at the door. “It’s your funeral, Boss.”

I chuckle. “I appreciate the concern, but I can handle Ellie. Take the rest of the night off.”

Her teeth sink into her lower lip, her gaze wavering.

I don’t know what it is she thinks I’m going to do to Ellie without her around, but she shouldn’t be worried.

Ellie—for as long as I need her—is safe enough around me.

After another moment of hesitation, Kara dips her head and walks down the hall.

I take a couple seconds to press my ear to the door and listen, but it’s made of heavy wood, and I can’t hear anything from the other side.

It’s so quiet I would almost think that Ellie threw herself out of a window, but I know Kara would have prevented that possibility.

Which means that she’s fuming and when I walk through that door, I doubt I’m going to hear the end of it.

My hand closes around the glass knob, twisting it.

The moment I enter, a pillow comes flying at my head.

I swat it out of the air with ease, one eyebrow rising at the sight of Ellie sitting in a massive armchair near the bookshelves. “Well, now you and I have two problems, Ellie.”

She juts her chin out, defiance shining in those pretty eyes of hers. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m talking about the fact that security had to drag you back here. From what I saw on the cameras on my way over, you made poor Kara sprint from the house down the dock. You want to tell me exactly what you were planning when you got to that dock?”

“To get away from here.”

“That much is obvious.” I shut the door, twisting the lock into place. “You’re going to have to be punished for this. There’s no escaping me, Ellie, and you should know that by now.”

She stands, arm crossing. “You’re not doing anything to me. I’ve already been dragged back and locked in a room for the last two hours.”

I cross the room, stopping inches from her. “When are you going to learn that you don’t get to set the rules here?”

“When are you going to learn that I’m not going to listen to your rules?” She brushes by me, the hem of her skirt rising higher as she perches on the edge of the bed.

“You keep breaking my rules and I swear, Ellie, I will put you over my lap and spank your tight ass until my handprint is permanently burned there.”

Her thighs press together, lust flooding her eyes. “You wouldn’t dare.”

I follow her to the bed, taking her chin in my hand as my cock strains against my pants. “You want to fucking test me, Ellie?”

“And what if I do?” She smirks, her tongue darting out to wet her bottom lip as her gaze drops to the front of my pants. “You seem to like the idea.”

“You may be the biggest pain in the ass I’ve ever met, but I haven’t slept with anyone else in two months, Ellie. First, your ass is going to glow, and then I’m going to fuck you until the only name you know is mine.”

Her breath hitches as I lunge for her, scooping her up and draping her over my lap.

When I flip her skirt up, she isn’t wearing any panties. I bite back a groan, but I know she can feel the way my hardened cock is pressing into her chest.

One of these days, I’m going to fuck her breasts, but tonight is all about fucking her out of my system.

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