Page 18 of Doubts & Fears

“I swear if you don’t put food in your mouth and shut the fuck up—”

“Oh, now we want me to shut up. And just for clarification, are we allowed to use that word now? I thought you said it was unattractive. Or does that only apply to me?”

“Kinsley, please eat,” Ivan said.

I speared a bite of roast onto my fork and held it to my mouth. Alek’s eyes were transfixed. “Of course. Please and thank you can get you so far. You should take notes.” I pointed my fork at Aleksandr before taking a bite.

“Speaking of Marcel, he’d like you to call him tomorrow,” Alek said, watching me closely.

“No thank you. Appreciate the offer, but I’m good.”

His eye twitched. Good, I was irritating him. We were even, then. I had to admit I liked to poke the bear, which only made me insane. A part of me had missed this with him. The banter, the undertones that were almost always filled with tension.

I knew he was only ever a moment away from kissing me. Seeing him in action proved that point. The really insane part was that, as much as I loved the way the Reaper dealt with me, I also loved the way sweet Alek could be.

“It wasn’t an option. So I’ll restate it. Youwillcall Marcel tomorrow.”

“The fuck I will.”

His fork clanked down on the plate as his anger flared.

I ignored it and asked, “How are you going to make me? I doubt I’ll be able to talk if Nik’s torturing me with his cock down my throat.”

Nik once more roared in laughter, and Ivan coughed loudly, shaking his head while warning, “Keep it up, and that cuddle tonight is going to feel more like a snuggle with a porcupine.”

Alek downed his glass of whiskey. “She doesn’t need any more warnings, Brother. She wants to use the wordfuck, let her. However, I’ll accommodate her request the next time she does. Right here on the fucking dining room table. Don’t forget, little girl, you have no panties on,” he reminded me, taking all the wind out of my sails.

“You’re so grouchy. You seriously need to get a hobby,” I mumbled under my breath.

For the rest of the meal, I sat in silence, sulking. He had to be joking. No way he’d actually fuck me here in the dining room. I looked at the table, envisioned him lying on top of me, and had to squeeze my thighs together. Damn him. I really needed clothes.

“May I be excused, please?” I finally asked, having lost my appetite.

Alek nodded, and I flew out of the room. After taking a long bath, I came out and noticed a set of pajamas on the bed. I also saw a pair of leggings, a T-shirt, a bra, and, praise the lord, a pair of panties.

The panties were soft pink satin-and-lace boy shorts; I gasped at the price tag on them. Sixty-five dollars? Who in their right mind spent that much on a single pair of undergarments?

Alek, that is who. Certifiable weirdo on every level.

I yanked them on and then put the other clothes on the chaise lounge for tomorrow. Damn, so the game was to only give me what I needed each day to ensure I stayed put. I looked around. There were no shoes to be found either. Can’t get far without those. Damn them.

Donning the pajamas, I realized they were identical to the ones I wore at game night, except this set was peach. As much as I hated to have to ask him for anything else, I knew I didn’t have any other choice.

I wandered down the hall, spotted Gerald, and chased him down. “Hi, um, do you know where I might find Aleksandr?”

He nodded and gestured. “He’s in his office. This way, Ms. Taylor.”

I stood outside his door for a full five minutes, trying to work up the nerve to knock. I was about to when Nikolai came around the corner.

“Did you need something?”

“Yes, actually. I wanted to thank Alek for these, but there are a few things I still need,” I said, blushing. What I really needed was tampons, but I didn’t want to tell him that. My period was due any day now.

“Let’s talk to him, then, shall we?” He opened the door and pushed me in.

“What is it?” Alek shut his laptop.

What was he looking at?

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