Page 24 of Kept

The man’s face is shadowed, but I see the shape of his lips, the way they part in surprise. “Holy shit.”

He leans down, and I do the first thing I can think of.

I smack him with the wok as hard as I possibly can.

He stumbles back with a shocked shout, and I watch in disbelief as he staggers, before crashing to the ground.

Wow. Hopefully he isn’t dead, but I’m a little impressed by the capacity of the wok. Glancing down, I give it a thankful pat before warm fingers wrap around my arm and lift me as though my weight is nothing, dropping me to my feet.

Struggling, I try to get in a second whack, but the man wraps his hand around my wrist, his grip firm but not painful as he holds my hand to the side.

My breathing feels harsh in the silence, but he makes no sound at all as he presses into me. Staring up, I catch a glimpse of dark eyes. There’s no color to them at all, the irises swallowed in black. But his face…

Beautiful.

No. He’s a burglar. I should not be thinking he’s pretty.

But full lips, a strong, square jawline and elegantly shaped nose… he could easily be one of my statues. Except he’s too alive. I can feel his heartbeat. Swirls of color run out of the neckline of his shirt and over his throat, a perfectly rendered skull.

He has art on his skin.

Full lips tilt into a faintly mocking grin as his full weight presses against me. “Who are you, little prey?”

He’s so warm, even as his eyes are stone cold. A contradiction. My breathing is heavy as I take him in. I’d love to draw him.

A squeak escapes me as a hand curves around my neck and he leans in, his breath warm against my ear. “I asked you a question.”

A little bit of sanity returns as a groan sounds from behind him. The man’s eyes don’t move from mine as his companion stirs, and I let out a small sigh of relief. His eyebrow quirks up in a clear question.

“I didn’t want to kill him,” I mumble, my cheeks flushing.

His fingers tighten around my nape, his thumb stroking the soft hairs gently. “What did you want to do to him?” he asks softly. Leaning in, he presses his nose against my neck, and I lose every piece of air from my lungs as he inhales.

“You broke in,” I choke out. “I was… defending myself.”

“Mmm. And now?” There’s enjoyment in his voice as he runs his nose down the column of my throat. “What would you call this?”

Blinking, I try to move away, but I’m pinned to the counter as he towers over me. For the first time, a hint of true fear sneaks in.

“There it is,” he mutters into my throat. “Delicious.”

I jerk in his hold as he darts out his tongue andlicksme.

Is that what people normally do?

“Okay… ew.” I mutter the words to the ceiling, but there’s a choked laugh in front of me, and the first man pops back into view. His eyes widen as he takes me in, his eyes moving to his friend and the way he has me pinned down.

His cheeks crease in a smile.

And woah. If his friend wasn’t devastating enough, this one is enough to have my mouth hanging open. Even the rapidly darkening egg on his forehead doesn’t take away from his looks.

Floppy brown hair curls charmingly over his forehead as he winks at me.

“Well, hello there,” he murmurs. Deep brown eyes rake over me. “Name’s Ryder. What’s your name, princess?”

Frowning, I give his friend a dirty look as he finally pulls his head back, although he keeps me where I am. He watches me unrepentantly, his face expressionless. “Your name, little prey,” he coaxes, when I don’t answer.

I wet my lips. “Doesn’t feel like the kind of thing I should tell people who break into my home.”

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