Page 36 of Seeking Vengeance

“You brought me into your room.” I push at his arm, attempting to break free. “You placed me on your bed.”

“Because I want you to be comfortable. I need you to feel safe.” He frowns and leans closer until we’re almost nose to nose. “But don’t get me wrong and think I’m not interested in you. I’ve made my feelings crystal clear. I want to fuck you within an inch of your life,amore mio. What I won’t do, though, is cross the line when you’re making decisions based on shock.”

I blink rapidly at his explicit detail. At the completely sordid image that inspires wildfire in my belly.

His arm tightens around me. “You’ve barely returned any of my interest. You only came to me now because you’re scared and need comfort. And I can give that to you. I just won’t do it in a way that will fill you with regret later.”

All his aggressive compassion only endeavors to increase my attraction.

“Are you listening, Layla?” He stares into my eyes, waiting. “My need for you defies sanity. But I won’t have you unless your appetite for me will hang around after the adrenaline wears off.”

“It will,” I whisper. “It will hang around.”

He keeps staring at me. Reading me. Then, with the flare of his nostrils and a barely audible growl, his mouth is on mine, setting me aflame.

I close my eyes, descending into a different type of darkness, this one born of passion and possession.

He devours me with harsh lips and a controlling hold. I can’t get close enough. Not even when my nails are digging into his shirt and my tongue is tangled with his.

It’s bliss and euphoria.

Compulsion and addiction.

I struggle to catch my breath, not wanting to pull away, not wanting this to end. I need everything from him. More than lips and hands.

Matthew leans back abruptly, as if it takes all the power in the world to separate us. He pants, his chest rising and falling, while I do the same.

“Drink.” He raises the glass in front of me, his eyes glazed with lust, and retreats a step, shoving his free hand through his hair. “It will dull the insanity.”

I hesitate, my engrained caution toward the alcohol holding me immobile for a split-second. Just long enough for him to frown.

He gives a breath of a scoff and lowers the offering back to his side. “So you want to share your body, but still don’t trust I’ll give you a drink that isn’t spiked?” He sighs. “Take a bath. You’ll feel better afterward.”

“That’s not it.” Well, it is, but…

He retreats again and again, understanding and disappointment staring back at me. “It’s okay. I get it. You barely know me.”

“No, you don’t get it. And how could you when you barely know me in return?” I accuse. “I’ve had excessive caution drummed into me all my life. I couldn’t even accept drinks at my friends’ birthday parties when I was a child.” I follow after him. “Caution isn’t just a tale my parents told me to encourage good behavior. Vigilance has always been something that kept me alive against the harshest threats.”

He stills in the middle of the hall, his eyes narrowing. “What threats? Who are you, Layla?”

“I’m someone with a target on my back.” I raise my chin with confidence. “And that’s all I’m going to say about it.”

His gaze remains narrowed, digging under my skin from the few feet of distance between us until finally he nods. “I’ve got enemies of my own. Enough to know you’re worth the risk of more.”

My traitorous heart squeezes.

He raises the glass to his lips, takes a gulp, swallows, then steps forward to hand it over again. “It’s safe, okay?” He raises a brow, wordlessly asking if his display is enough to gain my trust.

“Thank you.” I take the offering and bring it to my lips. The smooth scotch awakens a slight burn all the way down my throat. I don’t stop drinking until I’ve consumed every last drop.

“You’re welcome. Now, how about that bath?” He takes my hand, gently placing it in his. “You’re still trembling.”

“Did you ever think that maybe I tremble because of you?” I entwine our fingers and squeeze to mask my vulnerability. “You unsettle me.”

The pad of his thumb sweeps across my wrist, back and forth, gently exquisite. “You unsettle me, too. Beyond anything I’ve ever experienced. Why do you think that is?”

I wish I knew.

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