Page 90 of Bitter Queen (Advantage Play 4)

“I-I was thinking we could play my game instead this time?”

“And what game is that?”

“I’ll need my hands to show it to you.” My voice trembles with every word, but I hope he thinks it’s because of excitement and not fear.

“I’m not stupid, Peach,” he tsks.

“I never said you were. I actually think you’re pretty clever for snatching me out of Kingston’s estate without anyone catching you.”

His mouth twitches with a smile, but he doesn’t comment.

“You asked me what I’d be willing to do for water, and I’m willing to show you. But I need my hands.”

Still, he hesitates.

“Come on, Sei,” I urge him, hating the way his name tastes on my tongue. “We’ve played this game before, haven’t we? And have I ever tried to run?”

“You tried last night,” he counters. His grip tightens around the wooden handle of his knife.

“And look where that got me. With a twisted ankle, a mind-melting headache, and a mouth that feels like sandpaper. You really think I’d be stupid enough to try something like that when you have a knife in your hand?” I lift my chin toward the said object, and his gaze drops down to it. Fascinated, he tilts the blade left and right until the natural light from the window glints back at me.

Then he looks up at me. His stare feels like a physical caress as it licks at every inch of my exposed skin. And I’m definitely exposed. In nothing but my underwear and a tank top, I’m vulnerable, which is exactly how he likes me.

“Why are you shaking?” he demands.

Because I’m terrified? I want to point out sarcastically, but I bite my tongue and answer, “I think it’s a side effect of the drugs you used on me. My entire body feels like a shaken-up bottle of Coke.”

Licking his lips, Sei stalks closer and drags the flat side of the blade against my outer thigh, fascinated by the way my skin pebbles under its touch. But I don’t shy away from it. Instead, I drop my thighs open and force my muscles to relax.

His breath hitches. Then he digs into his pocket and retrieves the key to my handcuffs.

“Alright, Peach. I’ll play along. Let’s see how sweet you can be.”

He fumbles with the lock while I scramble to remember the techniques Diece taught me. My breathing is far from steady, but I try to hide it from my captor. When the handcuff unlatches, my arm falls onto the mattress. The blood starts to recirculate, sending prickling tingles from my shoulder to my fingertips before I pull my arm into my chest and flex my hand.

One down. One to go.

With his crotch inches from my face, he leans over me and toys with the second lock. Keeping my expression free from disgust, I wait to be released. The knife rests on the edge of the bed near my thigh so that he could use both his hands. But he would expect me to strike now with my newfound freedom. He’s not stupid.

Which means I need to keep up this charade for a little while longer. I just don’t know if I’m strong enough, brave enough, or broken enough to follow through with it.

My pulse flutters like a baby bird’s wings as it struggles to fly. It’s erratic and disoriented but desperate enough to keep trying. Licking my lips, I hold his stare and slowly reach down to the knife.

He watches every movement with an arrogant smirk that tells me I’m not getting away with shit before I offer it to him. “Here.”

Lips flattening, he takes it with furrowed brows. “What are you doing, Peach?”

“You’re not stupid, Sei. And neither am I,” I return.

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re not going to let me get away again. So, why should I piss you off by trying when that would just mean more pain for me?”

“So what are you suggesting?” There’s a curious glint in his eye that urges me on.

With my back pressed into the mattress, I move slowly so that it doesn’t startle him and reach up to cup his cheek. It’s almost clammy with a light sheen of sweat clinging to it, but I hide my disgust and press forward. “I’ve experienced pleasure before, Sei. And if we’re going to have sex, then I might as well enjoy it with you, right?”

His evil grin terrifies me as he counters, “Who says I want you to enjoy it?”

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