Page 44 of That Sik Luv

I reach up slowly, grabbing the collar of his white shirt gently, popping it up where it had bent. Keeping hold of the shirt, my hands slide down to where the edge of his suit jacket is, pulling him towards me, until our chests touch.

Let him see me.

Saint stills at the contact, before letting out a breath, slowly wrapping an arm around my lower back. His hand ghosts slightly, fingers spanning across the very curve that crosses into unchartered territory. Clearly, the contact was surprising to him, but he’s not pulling away. His full lips part ever so slightly as his other hand comes up to touch the side of my face. I lean into it, closing my eyes.

“It’s nothing...just politics. You know how those men are.” He shakes his head while rolling his eyes.

His use of the words“those men”when referring to his own father surprises me.

“Let’s go,” I whisper, licking my lips and suddenly tasting Aero.

I’m frustrated at the heated spark that runs through me, finding its way between my legs, remembering his taste. His hold. His power over me.

“Let’s get out of here,” I say, brushing the feeling away.

Saint’s eyes stare down into mine before trailing to my lips and back. I can feel the physical tension between us. It’s thick as fog now, and we are on the cusp of breaking through that fog.

His teeth graze his lower lip as he eyes my lips again, and he nods, tightening his hold on my lower back, pulling me into him tighter.

It surprises me. How much I like it. Knowing he’s watching. He wouldn’t hurt Saint. If he wanted to, he would’ve already. He needs him for something. Just as he needs me.

We are all just pieces in Aero’s game.

He’s using me. Molding me into something I’ve yet to understand. Whittling away at my core, he’s sharpening me to become the dagger he requires. Another man using me to his own advantage by ways of seduction and unfortunate truths.

What he doesn’t realize is I’m already a dagger. Shielded and hidden in a world where I thought my knowledge and drive protected me.

I know I’m playing with fire.

But Aero has yet to learn of the flames bound to burn him.

Chapter twenty-four

The Constructs of Power

Myfingerstwistinmy lap as the Jeep comes to a stop in front of my house.

Saint taps his fingers on the steering wheel, looking down. He opens his mouth as if he’s about to say something when he turns to look at me. I gaze at his lips. His perfectly pink lips encasing that sparkling white smile.

Everything about his mouth is attractive. There are no scars, no riddles, no words of humiliation or hurt that leave them... No, none of that. His smile warms me, and his nervousness at this moment is endearing. We both grin and begin talking.

“I had—”

“Tonight was—”

We both pause, laughing lightly, but the tension I’m feeling is still in the pit of my stomach. It has nothing to do with Saint and everything to do with Aero.

We’re not alone. I’m never alone anymore.

“Thank you,” Saint says, his voice breaking through my thoughts. “For joining me tonight. That dance...” He chuckles softly, his tongue running along his teeth as he smiles while looking down at his lap. “That dance was the best part of the night for me.”

“Really?” I ask, somewhat surprised.

I wouldn’t consider that the best part of the night, but my night was far from normal. The realization of which part has stuck with me as my unfortunate favorite terrifies me.

“Yeah, I mean...” He leans forward in his seat, swallowing as his smile fades. He grabs my hand from my lap, laying it on the console between us. With my palm facing up, the tips of his fingers trace my fingers until they meet my wrist. At my wrist, the other fingers fall away as only the middle finger softly trails up my arm, the soft sensation tickling me and running a direct line to the place between my legs. “Until this part.”

He gives me a little side-eyed glance, and I can hear his heart pounding in the shell of this Jeep.

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