Page 41 of Strange Seduction
“Was he?” I asked, with fake ignorance. “I must’ve missed that.”
Theo’s mouth twitched, but he didn’t smile. “Don’t play dumb, Carmen.”
I shrugged, biting back a smirk. “He asked how old I was. That’s hardly a seduction.”
He stepped closer, slowly and measured. “It’s not what he asked. It’s how he looked at you when he asked."
I lifted a brow. “What—like this?” I dropped my voice low and sultry. “How old are you?” Then I grinned. “Please. I’ve had Uber drivers flirt harder.”
Theo didn’t laugh. He stopped in front of me, hands braced on either side of the desk, caging me in. “It’s not funny.”
“No,” I said, breath catching just a little, “It’s not.”
Because now he was close enough that I could smell his cologne, feel the heat radiating off him, the subtle clench of his jaw. That controlled, simmering thing he did when he was trying to play it cool but was anything but.
His gaze dropped to my mouth. “Did you like it?”
“What do you think?”
His jaw flexed again. “Carmen.”
I tilted my head, voice softening. “I didn’t flirt back, Theo. I wasn’t disrespectful. He also knows I belong to you.” My voice lowered deliberately. “You’ve made thatveryclear.”
Something flickered in his eyes.
Something primal.
Like possession.
Or hunger.
He leaned in, lips brushing the shell of my ear. I let my eyes close for a second, letting the tension wrap around us like silk, and loving every minute of it. Something told me thatplaying into his possessiveness would lead to some delicious repercussions.
Theo’s hand moved to my waist, sliding around to the small of my back. His touch was warm.
“You’re playing games,” he muttered.
“Not intentionally.” I exhaled slowly, my voice threading with heat. “But if I am… I’m losing.”
His hand splayed wider at my back, pulling me gently but firmly until he stood between my legs. He didn’t kiss me. Not yet. Just hovered close, noses almost touching.
Theo groaned low in his throat, one hand sliding up to cup my jaw, thumb grazing the corner of my mouth.
“Do you know what it does to me? When other men look at you like that?”
“I think I have an idea.”
“No,” he said, pressing his forehead to mine. “You don’t. Not really. I want to ruin the thought before it ever fully fucking forms in their heads.”
“They know who I’m with,” I smiled. “But maybe you should remind me who I belong to.”
His mouth finally, finally covered mine—hot, demanding, all tension and teeth. I melted into it, hands curling into the front of his shirt as he kissed me like he needed the taste of me to survive the next breath.
When he pulled back, both of us breathing hard, he murmured, “Let’s go home.”
I smirked, lips tingling. “Thought you had to work all day.”
“Fuck work.”
