Page 45 of Devil's Tulip

Did I really try to seduce this man? And it… kinda worked?Me?

He glances up, those blue eyes arresting me, and—oh. Fuck. My core clenches as memories of his dark, hooded gaze flash through my mind. Of my lips wrapped around his cock, of the way he yelled my name…

Heat floods my face, and I quickly look down. “I’m ready.”

“Why are your cheeks turning so red?” He sounds amused. “What are you thinking about, dove?”

“Nothing. Just wondering where we’re going, and if I’m dressed appropriately.” I wave a hand down at my jeans and top, desperate to change the subject.

“Hmm.” He pockets his phone and uncrosses his ankles, pushing away from the wall. “You’re stunning as always.” His knuckles skim down my cheek, and the heat in my face spreads.

But thankfully, he’s already moving to get the front door for me, giving me a moment to breathe. I keep my head down as I walk past him into the late evening air. The sun is setting, casting a burnt-orange glow over the lush green foliage surrounding Michael’s house. Beautiful.

“Come on.” His palm presses flat against the small of my back, sending jolts of electricity racing through me. I tense,willing myself not to shiver, but my breath still escapes in a shaky exhale.

Michael opens the passenger door of his sports car for me and waits until I’m seated comfortably, the seat belt draped across my chest, before he closes it. Then he jogs around the hood, twisting his wrist to check his watch.

“Are we running late or something?” I ask him as he gets in.

“They’ll wait for us,” is his quiet answer. He turns the ignition, and the engine rumbles to life with a soft, powerful purr that sends vibrations rolling through my body.

Nice.I trail my fingers along the side of the leather seat, around the polished door handle, and over the upholstery.Very nice. Probably cost an arm, a leg, and both kidneys.

With a sigh, I relax into my seat, letting my head loll to the side as I watch the city blur past. Seattle is really pretty in the evenings—when it’s not raining. It’s a pity I never got to enjoy it or any of the sight-seeing stuff here. But then again, I never did in any of the other cities I passed through either, and I’m a little regretful now.

The engine’s soft rumble and gentle vibrations must loll me back to sleep because the next thing I know, I’m being lifted. I blink groggily, and the first thing I see is Michael’s gorgeous face and the soft bristles of his emerging five o’clock shadow darkening his jaw. Before I can stop myself, I raise my hand, tracing the rough edges.

He glances down at me and gives me the softest smile imaginable. “Go back to sleep, love.”

His voice is gentle, like a lullaby. And it takes a second for my sleep-addled brain to register that he’s walking… Oh?—

Wait. Did he just?—?

“Love? I’m your love now?” The words come out drowsy but teasing as I take in our surroundings, realizing we’re at somesort of tarmac, what seems like a private airport, and heading towards a small jet.

“What?”

His question pulls my gaze back to him. He looks at me in confusion, so I elaborate, “You just called melove.” A thrill rolls down my spine languidly as it really sinks in. My toes curl in my shoes, and I lazily raise my hands to the back of his neck.

“No, I saiddove,” he argues, frowning a little as he climbs the jet’s stairs.

I roll my eyes. “I heard what you said clearly, and you said love, l–o–v–e, not dove.”

“You just woke up, maybe some parts of your eardrums are still asleep, making you mishear.” But the twitch at the corner of his lips gives him away.

Oh, he’s teasing me.

I pinch the back of his neck in retaliation before nuzzling my head against his chest, and he chuckles, adjusting his grip on me to maneuver through the jet’s entrance.

Hetotallycalled me love.

And Itotallyliked it.

Inside, the wealth is staggering. The chairs aren’t arranged like standard airplane seating but like a cozy living room—like this isn’t just a mode of transportation, but a home in the sky.

Michael places me in one of the big chairs, the soft material embracing me like a cloud, and I sigh contently, reaching up to ruffle the small tuft of hair he keeps at the top of his head just as he bends over to fasten my seatbelt.

His brow raises, but he can’t hide his twinkling eyes. Before I can stop myself, I lean forward to give him a quick peck on the lips. His eyes widen in pleased surprise, and he starts to lean in for more?—

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