Page 23 of Kings of Lust
‘Ok, so let me spare you the suspense. It’s anoon my side.’
‘No!?’
I don’t even know why I was surprised since I suspected a refusal from him in the first place.
‘Yes...NO. I’m not going to risk my future for your insane plan. But that doesn’t mean the night is over. I just wanted to get that out of the way so we could continue where we left off.’
Wow, just shatter my plans and let’s get back tofeelingeach other. Typical Cole.
Still, I had a feeling there was room for some bargaining but as a skilled trader he was just bluffing to spike up the price.
Two could play that game.
‘That’s it...No!? You clearly don’t understand what this separation of powers could fully imply on your side.’
‘Oh, I do understand. I will be high up on the Hills sleeping peacefully in my bed while the whole world can go screw itself.’ A simple shrug ended his sentence as he appeared to have no worries in the world— except for what was going to happen tonight between us, of course.
‘Are you for real!?’ I refused to buy into this level of selfishness, nurturing some tiny hopes that he was fooling around, or that at least I could get him to change his mind. ‘Your Elite origins won’t be enough if not supported by wealth. How long before your parents won’t be able to keep up the appearances? Think about it. Do you think they’ll care about who knows who when the spots in theluxury lifewill be limited?’
The angered distress blooming on his face convinced me that it wasn’t the first time he heard the words, and the chances were that his parent’s fears were becoming his own.
‘And if I risk it and things turn out the wrong way, I’ll lose anyhow.’
‘At least there is still anif.You know as well as I do that there will be no bed where you can sleep in if we don’t try to do something.’
‘Or I could always ask Ferris for a loan. He has more money than all the Elite put together.’
That news came as a shock. I knew Ferris was rich, but I never wanted or tried to estimate his fortune.Cole was right, that could be a solution for any other person, but I knew better than to believe his words ‘Somehow, I can’t imagine you asking for a loan. Not even from Ferris.’
The roar that broke out from Cole’s throat strengthened my words. I may have just called him out on his own lie.
‘Ok. Let’s say I go through with this. I’m not going to do it because I’m some coward that’s going to save his ass. I want power. With my fathers’ and my own connections, I’m heading for a political career. I might just shorten the ride by taking part in this. Or I may destroy it completely. So that leaves me wanting for more. Call it a consolation prize.’
I gulped, convinced ofwhowas going to be that prize.
‘A little something to make me know it was worth trying, even if I fail.’
‘I’m pretty sure that the keys to the city should be a more than enough payment for your efforts.’
‘I’m pretty sure they won’t,’ he spoke almost in a grin, preparing me for what was to come.
How did I think even for a second that the man could have even a decent bone inside of him?
‘You see, Mouse... I never had a girlfriend. The idea never appealed to me before.’
‘Are you out of your fucking mind?’
Was he really asking me this!?
‘And now I will have one with a foul mouth. A mouth that I’m planning to exploit to its limits.’ His hand was fixated under my chin again, while his thumb was drawing the contour of my lips in a much firmer manner than he did earlier on thethrone. ‘I want you as a bonus, and I’m not talking about the bits and crumbs you’ve been throwing me. Deal or whatever you want to call it. I want what Brax received.’
Was it that obvious to everyone that I’d slept with Brax!?
‘Why would you still want me if you know I was sleeping with him?’
‘What’s that got to do with anything? Or do you think I wanted a virgin on my hands? As I see things, he saved me the trouble.’
I listened incredibly carefully, waiting to sense the slightest regret or distress in his voice. Yet, there was nothing except a hint of amusement.
