Page 76 of Vicious Seduction

We came together three times that night, our bodies unable to resist one another. From just the slightest feel of him in the bed with me, I was instantly awake and craving more. He was just as consumed. The first time I woke, it was to thefeel of his fingers sliding in and out of me, already drawing me close to orgasm.

The emotions swelling inside me were overwhelmingly intense. So much so that I was afraid to label them, but I knew one thing for certain—I never wanted it to end.

CHAPTER 40

ORAN

I’d hadno fucking clue what I was missing. If I’d had any inkling this sort of intensity of emotion in a relationship was possible, I never would have accepted a marriage with Caitlin. I hadn’t even known something so profound existed. If Ihadexperienced it before, I would have been married before I ever met Caitlin because I’d have locked that shit down faster than a warden in a prison riot.

Instead, I’d been trying to do what was right for my family. And without the perspective of knowing what I was giving up, I’d almost condemned myself to a lifetime withouteverknowing.

I hated that my father had to die for me to walk this path, but at least his sacrifice wasn’t in vain.

Lina lay sleeping, curled into my side. I felt like I could lie there all damn day and watch her sleep. It was later than she usually got up, but she needed to catch up on her sleep since I’d kept her awake half the night.

The ghost of a smile tugged at my lips as I thought of how my dad would have teased me relentlessly about being whipped had he been around to see me with Lina. And I wouldn’t have minded because I knew he was devoted to my mother more than anyone. I learned about loyalty and commitment from him. I would always strive to make him proud, even if he wasn’t here to witness my choices.

He’d definitely have approved of Lina. And when I told him everything she’d told me, he’d have been right there next to me when it came time for revenge, which it would … soon.

Eliza and Charles Brooks were living on borrowed time.

Fucking secret society.

I’d had no goddamn idea, and no one I’d talked to had given any hints of its existence. Was it some sort of fetish club? How many members of Olympus were involved?

Whatever they’d done to silence people had been effective, but nothing kept people quiet when pain entered the equation. I’d learn what I wanted to know.

With a featherlight touch, I swept a strand of Lina’s golden hair away from her face. She must have been close to waking, though, because her eyes fluttered open and met mine.

She smiled lazily and stretched, reminding me of a well-fed cat.

“Good morning,” I greeted her in a husky tone. She was naked beneath the sheets, and just a glimpse of her full breasts as she moved hardened my morning wood to solid stone. I didn’t think I’d ever get enough of her, but I wasalready concerned she’d have trouble walking today. Her body needed a break.

“Morning,” she rasped. “You been up long?”

“No. I was just lying here contemplating breakfast.” Not a total lie. I’d been thinking of eating something, just not food.

“Mmm … you know what sounds good?”

Sure do.“What?”

“An omelet and a cinnamon roll with some fruit and maybe a side of bacon.”

A huff of laughter rumbled in my chest. “Hungry?”

“I like breakfast on a good day. Today? I’mstarving.”

I pulled her against me, a wolfish smile spreading across my face. “Sounds like I did my job.”

“You, Mr. Byrne, were exceptionally thorough.” She tucked her forehead up under my jaw and sighed contentedly.

I commanded myself to memorize every intricate detail of this moment—the midmorning sun lighting the room, the weight of her thigh draped over mine, and the miraculous warmth that filled my chest. I never wanted to forget the sheer perfection.

“Oran?”

“Mmm?”

“You think I’ll ever be able to find out what happened to Amelie?” she asked quietly. “I know it’s not good, but I think the closure would help. Not knowing is excruciating.”

---