Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
“One last taste,” he says, leaning dangerously close so no one else can hear. “At my house.”
“No,” I insist, even though his hand tightens on my thigh, and my body is screaming at me to say yes. I hold strong.
“So, you two have been seeing each other for a bit, then?” James asks, watching us intently.
“Sorry, James, I missed your answer,” I say, trying to direct the focus off me and Arlo.
“Marriage? Well, I guess I never really thought about it since my wife died,” James hedges.
Arlo squeezes my thigh, and I ignore him and his tempting ways.
He will not win tonight.
I hope.
“You’ve never thought of marriage?” Arlo asks him.
“No, can’t say I have,” James grits out.
“I have,” Delaney chimes in, breaking her silence.
“This is something you want?” James asks her.
She answers with a decisive “Yes.” Delaney has always wanted the fairytale happy ending. Even through her sickness, she still wanted it.
Sebastian gives me a look that I read perfectly, and I turn toward Delaney.
“We’re going to head out. Are you good to get home with James, or do you want a lift?”
“I’ll be fine. Thanks for the catch-up. Both of you.” She smiles warmly at us.
I turn to Arlo, who is trapping me in. “Can you move?”
Sebastian is already standing, waiting for me.
“Manners,” he states with a tsk. “You know how to use them when I’m giving you pleasure with my tongue.”
Sebastian says something, but I don’t hear him as my face goes red.
“Get the fuck out of my way before I hurt your cock.”
He smirks at me. “As long as you kiss it after. A little pain never hurt anyone.”
“Oh my god, you are insufferable.”
“And you are stunning,” Arlo says before he slams his lips into mine. I’m so shocked at first that it doesn’t register until his tongue slides into my mouth, and I instantly taste coffee. I go to pull back, but he wraps his hand in my hair, holding me in place. I finally give in and kiss him back.
I’m just a girl, and he’s just a man who knows how to kiss.
So I’m guilty as charged.
Fuck, I’m fucked.
TWENTY-FOUR
ARLO
Confidential — Personal Use Only
OBSERVATIONS:
I quite like it when she threatens me.
And I completely understand how sadistic that is.
But I do not care in the slightest when it comes to her.
She reluctantly breaks the kiss. No matter what she says, her physical reactions to me show me something different.
But I want those words. I know she can say them. I’ve made her use her manners before, and I can do it again. It’s just a matter of time now.
Her lips are red and puffy from our kiss, and I know I have her lipstick all over my mouth, but I don’t care in the slightest.
“Move, Arlo. I need to go.”
I rise from the seat, but I block her path. “Come home with me,” I say again.
“Why would I do that?” she asks, raising a brow.
I lean in close, and she doesn’t push me away. Fuck, she smells good.
“Arlo,” someone says from behind me.
I know who that voice belongs to. And I choose to ignore them as I whisper into Cora’s ear, “Because I can make you beg and use your manners.”
“Arlo.” He is more insistent now, so I turn away from Cora to face Soren. He gives me a meaningful look and says, “We have things that need to be discussed.”
“Is he your boss?” Cora asks.
“No,” I answer, still looking at Soren.
“So, do you plan to discuss things with your friend or take me home? Pick one.”
I turn to her, and my face lights up with barely controlled anticipation. “You want to come back to mine?”
Her hand lands on her hip, and she eyes me. “I’m in a mood. And Sebastian told me I should let you fuck it out of me. So, take me home before I change my mind.”
I look back at Soren. “I’m leaving. This can wait.”
“No, it can’t,” he insists, then peers over my shoulder at James. I ignore him and focus solely on Cora. Fuck, she looks incredible tonight. I would never usually say no to Soren—he is our Lord, after all—but right now, I really fucking want to say no to him.
“I guess I’ll have to find someone else to fuck this mood out of me. Good night, Arlo.” Cora sighs, almost like she’s disappointed in me. Her words are like gasoline on an open flame. They ignite a wildfire of rage and possessiveness in my chest. Unleashing a feral beast that day by day is hidden under expensive suits, shiny shoes, and a practiced calm for a façade. The need to bend her smart ass over the table and fuck her in full view of everyone here, wrapping my beads around that neck as I pound into her, is overwhelming. It would be her punishment and my salvation.