Page 40 of Treason's Temptation
“I got it tonight. Go home.”
“You sure?” Ward asked in a tone that made Treason’s request seem uncommon.
“Yeah, I think I can handle Vie.”
“Don’t be so sure,” I chimed in, my tone light and flirty.
Getting dolled up made me feel like the chaos I was used to. Nostalgia had me looking forward to a night out, even if it was with Treason.
“Don’t hurt ‘em too bad, Navie,” Ward advised.
“I’ll try.”
Treason instructed Ward to have Rylo pull the car around on his way out. He hit the button, and the doors closed, leaving me and the mischievous twinkle in Treason’s eyes.
“You look good as fuck, and you smell good too.”
Treason stepped in close, wrapping me in his arms like he needed my skin to breathe. My chest rose too fast, too shallow, struggling to smile through it. I was back in a place I didn’t want to be. Memories buried deep but never dead. Hands that held too tight and words that came with bruises.
“You aight?” he murmured near my ear.
“Yeah,” I forced a smile, fixing the simple crucifix hanging from his neck, “You look pretty decent yourself.”
Treason’s grip softened in a way that felt like asking for permission to stay. Somehow, his consideration made my heart beat faster because nothing was free. It always came with a price.
“I’m starving. Let’s ride,” he suggested.
Food wasn’t the only thing on Treason’s mind, his tongue swiping his lips. Treason stepped back, drinking me in once more before flashing his palm.
Submissive, Navie. Take it.
I allowed Treason to guide me downstairs to the lobby. Treason wasn’t used to playing second fiddle to anyone, interrupting Rylo, hyping me up. He used my hips to steer me out of the twirling doors where his car sat.
Any excuse for him to touch me.
Treason opened the door, and I slipped inside while he walked around. The car ride was surprisingly quiet. Treason tapped the steering wheel to Stevie Wonder, guiding us to the restaurant where he’d booked for dinner. I appreciated the gesture, considering all the eyes we collected walking inside.
“What’s it going to take for a fresh start?” Treason asked once we were seated and comfortable.
“Our foundation is already fucked,” I replied, picking up the glass of wine the waiter delivered. “But I’ll play my part. It’s not like I have a choice.”
Treason’s hand fell on his chest, doing a poor job of looking distraught, “You’re breaking my heart talking like that.”
“I said I’ll do it. Don’t push.”
“What if that isn’t good enough?”
I shrugged.
“How was your day, Tre?” I asked, softening my tone to change the subject. He lifted his head, narrowing his gaze. “That’s what Fallon and Ward call you. If we’re going to make this believable, I need to call you Tre, too.”
“FromJackasstoTrein a matter of hours. We’re making progress,” he grinned, mischievously rubbing his hands.
“Just tell me about your day.”
“Boring shit, really. Meeting after meeting, then Miss Dot popped up with a list of shit she thinks I can solve overnight,” herambled, longer than he meant to, before catching himself, “it’s better now sitting across from you.”
“I’m already in. You can cut the sweet talk.”
