Page 77 of Secrets & Lies

I lowered my voice and spoke in the most seductive tone I could muster. “Ivan King, you have something I need.”

He leaned back, his eyes pinning me in place. I didn’t know what had come over me, but an exchange was taking place between us. I could no more stop it than I could a bullet.

“Is that so?”

My eyes moved to his tattoo. Like his brothers, a skull was present, intricately woven into the blade of a large dagger, and looked as dark as the man before me. Outlining it with my fingertip, I shivered.

“Yes, and it’s so specific, that not a single man in this room could help me but you.”

His tongue flicked out and wet his lower lip. I was mesmerized by the movement.

“Then, by all means, take what you need.”

The rich baritone of his voice had me trembling. My nipples hardened as I thought about what I was going to ask him to do. I leaned forward, trailing my hand across his pecs.

Sarah’s face erupted in confusion as she tried to figure out what the hell was going on. I could tell she was unsure if I was trying to make a move on her man or if this was part of the game.

If the moment hadn’t felt so intense and Ivan’s gaze didn’t leave me shaking like a leaf, I would have laughed at the absurdity of that idea. Something told me that this man didn’t belong to anyone, especially not a girl he’d just met.

Once more, I was captivated by this giant. I stood in front of him, feeling alive and powerful. Adrenaline pumped through my body. My hand trailed down his chest, and he flexed his muscles.

I sucked in a breath, and even though my hand trembled, I glided it down his stomach to his blade. In a flash, he darted his hand over mine as a low growl emanated from him. As I turned my gaze to his, a hunger stirred inside me. With a flutter of my lashes, I softened my eyes, giving him a smoldering look.

“But it’s what I need.” My voice was light and airy. I tapped into techniques long buried and nearly forgotten. An innocent smile played upon my lips, and his eyes were drawn to them. He hadn’t stopped me, so I pushed forward with my idea.

A low moan escaped my lips as I unsnapped the buckle, igniting a cascade of electric sensations that coursed through my body. I gasped as I pulled the blade free from the sheath. It was magnificent, rugged, and all him.

It was heavy, and I held it reverently in my hands, turning it over. I put my finger to the tip and tested the sharpness.Lethal. My knees shook. From blade to tip, it was longer than my forearm.

My gaze lifted to his face. I held it out to him, and he took it. His hand brushed against mine, and his eyes burned through me. It was so quiet in the room I could hear my uneven breathing. I pulled on the bottom of the tank top.

“Sorry, Alek. I know you bought this special for me,” I called over my shoulder, looking at Alek as he watched me with his brother. Wetness pooled between my legs, and the heat spread throughout my body.

“No worries, I’ll buy you another one.” He nodded, giving me permission.

“Ivan, would you please cut my—”

Before I could finish my sentence, his blade was slicing through it. The sharpness cut through the material like it was paper. Cool air rushed between my breasts, and then I felt the sharp metal tip as it came to rest at the hollow of my neck. I threw my head back.

A small hiss escaped me, and my body trembled against his. The blade to my throat was almost erotic, and I couldn’t think straight. He trailed the tip down my chest, circling first my left breast and then my right one through the shirt. I moaned, embarrassingly, and gripped his forearms.

“Tha-thank you,” I mumbled.

I stepped back before I did something I’d later regret. I had the strongest urge to kiss him deeply. My breast tingled from the earlier attention, and I longed for more of the same. I avoided Sarah’s eyes, which burned into me as she once more tried to figure out my angle.

I turned, feeling Alek’s gaze, and lifted my eyes to his. His expression was curious and dark. I could see the question that had formed. It was written all over his face.

Who the hell are you?

Feeling more confident by the minute, I repeated the words he uttered on the dance in my head. He had all but told me exactly the type of man he was with them. My body moved on autopilot as a thought whispered in my ear.

Show him.

I sauntered over and stood in front of Alek, ensuring he had enough room to rise from his chair and walk around me. Something told me he would want to. I was only slightly aware that my body was moving into inspection position as I presented myself to him on a silver platter, so to speak.

I ignored the sharp intake of his breath and stood straight, legs apart. Instinctively, as if I did this move every day, I rounded my shoulders and back. Ensuring that my neck was straight and aligned with my body, I gracefully moved my hands. The final step was to clasp them behind my head.

Keeping my eyes forward, I waited, my heart beating hard. He stood, and I remained still, feeling like I was having an out-of-body experience. My nipples were hard now and ached fiercely.

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