Page 73 of The Truths that Deceive

Men who weren’t playing a sex-fueled game. Men whohadn’t given me a safe word. Men who wanted to hurt and intimidate in the wrong way.

Maybe I want to feel warm and wanted by someone I want, now that he’s caught me.

But I’m not telling him that.

I won’t ever admit it to him.

“How did you find me?”

He slides higher up my thigh, then up my body. “You should check wigs for trackers. Clothes, too.”

“Asshole.”

Smith kisses me and I cling to him, kissing him back, suckling on his tongue. The kiss is deep and soft, with a romantic edge, one dipped in erotic intent.

When he finally steps back, his blue eyes burn hot as he looks down. “Fuck, you’re gorgeous.”

A cool breeze from the air in the bathroom hits the fabric covering my nipples, the wetness between my thighs.

“You fuck.”

His mouth twitches. “Is that an invitation or are you telling me where to go?” With one quick flick of his fingers, he undoes my zipper and the dress falls around me.

“What do you think?” I make no move to cover myself.

Right or wrong, I like it, the kick of adrenaline it gives me, like how it ups the desire in my blood. And yes, I fucking love that he looks at me like I’m a dream come true. What woman wouldn’t get off on that?

And I need it after Cuba. Need it with a desperation I didn’t know I had.

“I think your body is for sin, my sin. My pleasure. My prize. This is your chance to use your word.”

“If I use it,” I say, knowing the answer, “you’ll stop?”

“Yes.”

He leans down to lick one nipple and then the other, pleasure streaking through me. Smith raises his head. “Well?”

“Code.”

He takes a step back and my chest tightens as all my nerve endings cry out in protest.

I reach out, catch his jacket, and pull him in. “Change your mind?”

“Testing the word.”

His mouth twists into a smile, one that doesn’t reach the blaze in his blue eyes. “Verdict?”

“I don’t have to like you to want you.” I lift my face to him, but he doesn’t kiss me.

Instead, he moves back in.

“True.” He slips his fingers over the garter and holds up his card. “Naughty.”

“You’re slow on the uptake.”

“Who’s to say I didn’t notice it missing from my wallet?”

“Most people have this shit on their phones.”

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