Page 102 of Ensnared

Eden’snostrils flare delicately at my insult, her lips pulling in like she’s biting back her words again.Shedid not like that.Notone bit.Thetiniest twist of curiosity tugs at me.Iwonder ifIcan make the little librarian snap at me properly.

Iwonder if she ever feels rage like mine under all that politeness.

Irake my eyes over her, then shrug one shoulder dismissively. “Thoughit’s onlyBeauyou’ll really be missing—Iwouldn’t have touched you either way.”

“Oh,fuck you,” she hisses.

Thereit is.

Luckywhistles.

“Dominic,”Beauwarns again.

“Beaumont,”Imimic.Myeyes are locked onEden.

Onehand flies to her mouth, like she’s shocked herself.Hereyes flicker toBeauthen, looking for help.

Mistake.

Inmoments,Ihave both her tiny wrists trapped in my grip, andI’mdragging her to her feet, careful not to strain her arms.Edenyelps, then struggles, lighting my blood with the desire to trap.Tosubdue.Igrab her around the waist and haul her against me, her back to my chest, her weight nothing at all.Runningon instinct,Ipass her wrists toBeau.

Whenhe doesn’t take them,Ilook up.

Hisjaw flexes in indecision.Nosurprise.He’snever liked the discipline aspect of topping.

It’swhy he needs me.

Iraise a brow at him. “Shewas specifically told to stay out of it.Instead, she broke into our private rooms and tried to spy on us.Youokay with that?Whatdid she say to you before you came up here?”

Fromhis wince,I’mguessing the brat wasn’t too honest about her intentions.

Edenkicks my shin, andIgrunt.Inher ear,Isnarl, “Trythat again, subbie.Idare you.”

“Iagree withDominic.”Jasperlinks his fingers, leaning on one arm of his chair. “Shecan’t disobey orders like this.It’snot safe, particularly given the circumstances.She’searned her punishment.”Hehesitates, then adds with a hint of frost, “Withinreason, of course.”

Ishrug. “I’mreasonable.”

Lucky’slower lip is trapped between his teeth, and he’s staring atEdensquirming in my grip.Poorlibrarian—evenLuckyseems more intrigued than inclined to help her.Jaykobis the only one looking at me, more direct and assessing than usual.But, after a long moment, he settles back against the wall, his attention flicking back to her.

Givingin,Beausighs. “Sorry, darlin’, the mob has spoken.”

Atthat,Edenstarts squirming in earnest, andI’mgratefulBeautakes her wrists so thatIcan hold the rest of her.

“Wait!”Shethrows her head back, andIget an arm behind her back, bending her over at the waist towardBeau.Hetakes a seat besideJasperand, holding her wrists, yanks her into place over his lap.

“Idon’t want to be punished!” she squeals.

Thatactually startles a real snort of laughter out of me. “Peopleusually don’t.”

She’sbarefoot and still wearing the little sundress—the short, flippy skirt annoyed me all through dinner.Thesight of her bent over and waiting is like a promise.Aprayer.

Istretch my neck, eagerness thrumming through my veins. “What’syour safeword, little librarian?”

“My—Mywhat?” she stutters, squirming overBeau’slap again to get away from me.Thenshe freezes, looking up at him. “You’rehardright now?”

Theoutraged offense in her tone has me biting back another laugh.

Beaudoesn’t bother to hide his, but when she twists again, he lets out a strangled groan. “Isthis a punishment for her or me?”

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