Page 62 of Wicked Ends
“You don’t sound sorry,” I pointed out.
He chuckled. “I don’t, do I? It’s your fault… playing with you is the most fun I’ve had in years. Imagine my delight when you decided to play back.”
I swallowed hard. “I’m not trying to play… I didn’t want to start a game.”
Marcus nodded and then shrugged. “But you did. You don’t know this about me, but I love a good game.”
He stood and circled behind me. I twisted to try and see him, but the restraints made it impossible.
“A good game should have stakes… and excitement. It should push boundaries. It should be unpredictable and exhilarating.”
He appeared again. He’d traded his black leather gloves for medical-grade white ones. I stared at the sight.
“I’m looking forward to pushing some boundaries with you tonight, Ari.”
My mouth went dry as he took a folded knife out of his pocket and placed it on the table.
He leaned a hip against the table and stared at me.
“Unless, of course, you just want to tell me where my money is. Tell me where the money is… and all of this ends. We go back to normal.”
“What’s normal for you? Will you leave me alone?”
He raised an eyebrow. “What do you think?”
I shook my head, powerless and hating it. “Please, stop this now.”
He moved to the chair in front of me, sat back, and folded his arms across his chest. “But we’re playing so nicely together. Don’t be a spoilsport. Now, where’s the bag?”
I swallowed the hard knot in my throat. This was it. But if I gave up the bag now, I’d have achieved nothing except starting a game I had no hope of winning.
I raised my chin. “I’m not telling you, and if you don’t stop all of this, you’ll never see that money again.”
Marcus’ lips quirked. “You’re blackmailing me?”
I shrugged. “Learning from your example.”
His smirk spread into a smile. “I should be pissed off at you giving me the runaround, but honestly… it’s more fun this way.”
He reached out and grabbed the knife from the table, and I fought a flinch.
“Tell me where the bag is, Professor.” He unfolded the knife slowly.
My attention fixed on the shining blade.
I shook my head. “I can’t do that.” Without the bag, I had nothing.
He sighed like I was the most trying person he’d ever met. He brought the knife to my neck and scraped gently along the lengthof it. My skin prickled, the rough drag of the blade making me feel… nothing like it was supposed to. My nipples hardened immediately, drawing Marcus’ attention. He glanced down, and his smirk widened.
“You like that, Professor Moore?”
I held my tongue and tried to ignore the hot feeling spreading through me. What was this? Was I actually turned on right now?
“Hmm, I think you do. It’s okay. I like it, too.” He trailed the knife down the slope of my shoulder and under my bra strap. “Do you have any idea how hard it was to keep my hands off you after the showcase? You’re walking around campus, that talented, that lovely, that fucking interesting, and I’m supposed to stay away?”
“You’re nuts,” I said, though those words surrounded my heart like a warm caress.
“And you play like a fucking angel. My fucking angel, to be clear. I’m not sure I want anyone else hearing that sound. Why don’t you perform more often, or do you prefer something else…” He glanced down at my musical note tattoo. “Composing? Is that what you love? I bet you’re fucking great at it.”
