Page 14 of The Killer's Prize

Chapter Seven

Sergio took another big gulp of his beer as he rewound the image of Jessie in his head. Her supple body drenched with water, her doe brown eyes widening in surprise as she finally noticed he’d witnessed her little show. Damn it. She would be the death of him. He had nearly taken off his clothes and joined her. She’d whispered his name when she climaxed. Fuck, the knowledge that she wanted him only made him hard.

He needed to calm the fuck down. Now wasn’t the appropriate time to claim his prize. Not yet. The events of today still left their marks on both of them. Sergio didn’t want them to fuck out of need and desperation.

“You said this was a safe house,” Jessie said, joining him in the living room. “Is that a picture of you and your parents? You look so young and adorable.”

Young and adorable? No one had ever used those adjectives to describe Sergio.

She pointed to an old, faded photograph hanging on the wall right in front of him. Sergio hadn’t even noticed he’d moved right into this old corner of the trailer. He studied the photograph of a skinny seven-year-old standing right next to his parents, who only had eyes for each other. The three people in the photo felt like strangers to him. That moment felt like another lifetime ago.

“This photo was staged. Taken by a passerby the one time my parents took me camping,” he said.

“What do you mean by staged?”

He shrugged.

“Looks wholesome, doesn’t it?” There was an edge to his voice he couldn’t get rid of. It had been a long time since someone asked about his parents or was curious about his past. Victor didn’t care about the history of those who worked for him, only what they could offer on the table.

Jessie bit on her bottom lip, then it seemed she’d decided she’d play his game. She nodded. Brave girl.

“Nothing about it is real. My parents took me along that trip because no one could look after me. They were having a little party in the wood with some of their friends. Junkies,” he explained.

Sergio once again locked the bad memories of that night back inside the safe in his head. That night was the last time he’d ever seen them. Carlo had taken custody of him after that. While Sergio would always be grateful to his uncle for teaching him the tools of his trade, his time with Carlo hadn’t been exactly a walk in the park.

“Are your parents still alive?” she asked softly.

“No, and if you’re wondering if I killed them, I didn’t. They died of an overdose.”

She ran her fingers up his arm. His muscles tensed at her touch. “I’m sorry, Sergio. My parents are gone, too.”

“I know. Your mother killed herself when you were eighteen. You found her body.”

She stopped touching him. “You know all about me then?”

The anger in her voice made him turn. He swore as he finally took stock of her. “What the fuck are you wearing?”

“One of your shirts. I didn’t think you’d mind.” The little minx then twirled for him and the hem of the shirt lifted. Sergio caught a glimpse of the dark curls between her thighs. A flash of tempting pink. The thin cotton shirt also highlighted the swell of her heavy breasts, the curve of her stomach.

“It’s not wise tempting me like this.” Sergio backed her into the wall. He raised her hands above her head and pinned them there. “When it comes to you, I easily lose control.”

“I’m not scared of you.” She paused and looked down, right at the erection he sported in his jeans. “Why didn’t you join me in the shower earlier? We’re both consenting adults.”

Sergio chuckled. “You pretend to be a good girl, but deep down? You’re a wild cat, aren’t you?”

“You’re the only man who’s ever looked at me like—” She halted, suddenly losing bravado.

“Finish your sentence, Jessie,” he ordered. “Don’t leave me hanging.”

“Like I matter,” she replied, her voice a whisper.

“You’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever laid eyes on,” he said against her ear. He bit her earlobe, then sealed his mouth over the pulse point on her throat. He bit down, hard enough to leave a mark, and she rubbed her body against him. When he released her, he groaned, trying to regain his composure. “There. That’s a promise.”

“A promise?”

“That you’re mine. No oneelse’s.” Sergio released her. It didn’t matter Jessie was practically throwing herself at him tonight. He was a patient hunter. “Now’s not the right time, and our dinner’s growing cold.”

She stomped her feet, clenched her fists by her sides, and let out a frustrated groan. “Fine,” she snapped. “What’s for dinner?”

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