Page 29 of King of Depravity

I know that Killian and I aren’t dating. This time yesterday, I was considering involving the police.

But him taking care of me all day, feeding me, watching me paint, I think that might be what relationships are actually like. But then again, maybe not. How would I know?

My mom was no help. Her idea of a good man was one who gave her an Amex card that had no limit.

Killian hasn’t had a shirt on all day so when he pulls me against his chest to kiss me goodbye, my hands land on his bare pecs. “I’ll see you later,” he murmurs against my lips, and then he places a kiss on my neck at the base of my throat.

“You coming to the bar tonight?” I ask, nipping at my lip. I don’t know how to tell him that I’ve started enjoying his presence there.

“I’m not sure. I might have to meet with Triston,” his hands have skated down to my ass. “Want to come over after you’re out of work and see my bed?”

“Why would I need to see your bed?”

“It’s like my cock, it’s really big,” he rumbles into my skin.

I shake my head, trying to decide if this is a good or bad idea. One day of hanging out, a couple of orgasms and I’m catching feelings.

“You could get up in the morning and paint.” He nips at my collarbone, kissing a path to my shoulder.

“Now I see why you offered your place for my painting. It’s another bargain.”

“You caught me,” he rumbles, squeezing my ass cheeks. “I’ll meet you at the piano bar at two to walk you home.”

“I thought you had to meet Triston?”

“We’ll be done by then no matter what. I don’t like you walking alone, anyway.”

I shake my head because I’ve been walking on my own for years. But his phone chimes that my Uber is here, so I head down the elevator and out to the car. It’s a quick ride back to my place, leaving me tons of time to get ready for work.

Daffodil is there, and she gives me a long look when I come out dressed in my uniform. “So…” she wags her eyebrows, “what’s the deal with the new man?”

Daffodil is a gorgeous redhead, and my favorite of my roommates because she never causes trouble, and she always pays her share of the rent on time. I shrug. “I don’t know. I think we’re just kind of hanging out.”

“He looked like he made a great pillow,” she starts, biting back a smile. “And considering the noises you made in the middle of the night, he does some other things even better than that.”

I blush to my roots, realizing everyone probably heard me last night. Small place…thin walls. “Right.”

“And he was really handy with the Sarah situation. Knows how to handle himself.”

I could tell her he’s rich too, from the best kind of family.

“He’s all that. He’s also just…” I sigh.

“A little scary when he threatens to turn a guy into a sex toy for the homeless?”

If she only knew just how scary. “Yeah. He lacks a filter, and he’s definitely got a hard streak.”

He is rawer than any person I’ve ever met. I thought it was a problem at first, but I’m starting to wonder if it actually makes me more comfortable. I never have to wonder who the real Killian is. He is always just himself.

Waving goodbye to Daff, I leave for work. I cut last night short, so I really need to make up the tips tonight.

But I’ve no more than entered when I see Alexander sitting at the Russians’ usual table with a man I remember seeing with them a few times, but I don’t know his name.

He gives me this leer that immediately sets my teeth on edge as I tie on my apron.

I’m relieved to discover that Callie has already taken their table and I don’t need to serve them.

Grabbing my tray, the hostess calls out to me. “Table eight.”

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