Page 22 of Tyrant (The Villetti Chronicles)

The fact I did it with such willingness was not something I wanted to think too hard on.

“You can do better than that. Show me you deserve it.”

It took me more than a few seconds to register his meaning. He’d looked at his feet for a reason. Everything inside me screamed against the unspoken demand he’d made.

“I should have obeyed you. I deserved my punishment.”

My face lowered until I was a hair’s breadth from the leather.

“Please forgive me for my disobedience.”

The moment my lips pressed against his shoe, I heard the rumble of approval from above me. It made my heart race, the noise sinking into my bones and rendering me helpless. My hands shook with the effort of holding myself up.

What the fuck is this man doing to me?

“Come here.”

With shaky arms, I pushed myself back up onto my knees. He held a hand out to me. I placed my own in it, allowing him to pull me up from the floor and into his lap. My legs straddled his, bringing us face to face. The way his eyes searched mine froze me in place. He ran his finger along the collar on my neck.

“Who was that girl?” I blurted out, wanting to distract him from the way I trembled in his lap. The feelings thrumming under my skin weren’t logical or normal. They built with every passing second, urging me to do something I might regret.

“Remi works here.”

“Who is she to you?”

The question made his lip twitch.

“Her mother worked for my father before she did for me. Remi’s a friend. That’s all.”

“A friend.”

“Mmm.”

I almost cursed my stupid mouth for asking those questions. I wasn’t jealous, was I?

He’d reassured me without giving me a hard time over it. Did he realise he was making me feel things I shouldn’t? Did he notice the tension between us permeating the air? It grew as his fist wrapped around the chain, pulling me closer.

“But we’re not friends, Tink. You’re mine, and I expect you to behave for me.” His other hand gripped my waist. “Don’t disappoint me.”

I wasn’t going to promise him I would behave. We both knew I would fail again. It was in my nature to push.

He twisted my face to the side and ran his nose up my cheek. I let out a quiet gasp.

“I like punishing my pets,” he whispered. “It’s the sweetest part, especially when they give in.”

His warm breath fanned across my face. My hands went to his chest to steady myself. The way my fingers splayed out over his shirt had me letting out a harsh pant. His body was warm and solid. His heartbeat was steady against my palm.

“I’ll tame you, Tinkerbell. It’s only a matter of time.”

“Zayn.”

“It’s sir to you.”

It was the second time his actual name had fallen out of my mouth without me consciously making the decision to say it.

Before I could respond, another knock at the door rang through the room. He eased me back away from him.

“On the floor,” he murmured.

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