Page 26 of Conflicted Lies

“‘No’ seems to be your favorite word. But I once remember you screaming another once upon a time. If memory serves correctly, it was my name.”

I scoff, and his other hand cups my jaw. And tiny prickles erupt like a kicked hornet nest all over my skin. It brings me to life, startlingly and painfully, and I meet his gaze. “I got your present. I liked the colors.” The compliment washes over my skin like he’s the very thing that both antagonizes and soothes me.

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lie.Does he really like it?I won’t be baited by such an easy question, but I wonder what he really thought. I consider what his criticism might’ve been.

“You’re lying,” he says.

“Surely, you’re a better detective than this,” I tease, purposely hovering my lips near his. He inhales my breath, and the warmth of his flushes over my own lips, creating a tingling sensation. I remember what he tastes like. Memories flood my mind of heated, painful, and destructive sex.

My first time.

I pull away with a conniving smirk, but he doesn’t remove his hand from my jaw as his gaze lingers on my lips.

“You think this cute little innocent act fools everyone, but I know how dangerous these hands of yours can be.”

“You think I’m cute?” I ask breathlessly. “And the only thing I recall being small was… not my hands.”

He laughs, and I’m so stunned by the break of character that I can’t help but let loose a small smile. “It would appear your attitude still needs much work.”

“I can’t entirely say yours is favorable either.”

“Butyoulike it,” he’s quick to shoot back.

His hands are hot, feeling like brands against my skin.

“If that’s what you tell yourself to get to sleep, then I think you’re the onlycuteone here.”

His gaze is locked on my mouth. And before I know it, he moves in closer, and his lips daringly brush against mine.

I’m so surprised by the action that I suck in a breath, and it’s his air that I’m breathing. My tongue coaxes his, inviting more. His tongue slides against mine, and before I can think twice about it, I’m grabbing his shirt and pulling him into me so our chests are pressing together.

I don’t think either of us is thinking of what we’re doing. We’re just being. This could turn into a colossal disaster, ripping at one another just like last time. It brings back all the reasons I liked him. The insults, the push and pull, the arrogance of this fucking man fuels every inch of my inexcusable hunger for him. Even when I know who he is, it just makes me want it more.

His hand grips my jaw even tighter, and his mouth assaults mine possessively. No other man’s kiss has compared to his. No matter how I tried to find someone else who could replace those scorching memories, I never could. I may not have fully enjoyed our first time together that night, pushing through the pain of losing my virginity, but each time after that was a barbaric and carnal claiming I’d never known existed. But what I remember most are these fucking lips and hands, demanding and dominating every inch of me.

I’m jerked back suddenly. Braxton reaches for me, but a thick arm and hand keep him from touching me.

My heart races as I register what the fuck just happened. When I look over my shoulder, a cold, damning presence is smiling at us with death in his gaze.

Hawke is nothing but the killer right now, but Braxton holds his ground. The two square off, and I can feel the palpable tension. “It’s best you leave,” Hawke says in a low, gravelly tone.

Chills run down my body. Behind Hawke, I see Ivy staring, her mouth open wide, as she tries to assess the situation. Dread fills me because if Braxton does react, he’s fucked. Hawke will literally beat him to death. But, somehow, my cousin, despite his killer edge, respects my wishes and my claim for my prey.

Braxton looks from Hawke to me, then dips his head and turns to walk away. I’m shocked because Braxton loves antagonizing people, especially if he can then pin them with a night or two behind bars. But it’s as if that kiss was just as mind-melting for him as it was for me. What the fuck just happened?

He strides through the crowd, people moving out of his way as he makes for the exit.

“Little red, you’re in trouble,” Hawke says, looming behind me, and suddenly, it feels like my father just walked into the room. They might not be blood related, but Hawke is an Ivanov through and through.

Shit. I’m totally in trouble.

CHAPTER15

Hope

“It’s not what it looks like,” I say sheepishly.

“It totally is!” Ivy pushes Hawke out of the way. “Who was that handsome, blue-eyed hottie? Damn, Hope, you’ve been keeping secrets!”

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