Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36890 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 184(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36890 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 184(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
The music wrapped around us, low and sultry, just like my voice when I leaned in so my lips were near her ear. “It means you’re quite the exquisite creature. The kind that makes men forget their place.” My gaze sharpened, the smile still there but with an edge now. “And I’m wondering what kind of fool let you walk in here alone.”
The pink stain on her cheeks deepened, and she sucked in a tiny breath when my fingers dipped a little lower so they were resting right above the curve of her plump, round ass.
“Um…” She shook her head as if trying to clear away the sensuous fog. “My friend is…um, isn’t. It’s a she. She works for the catering staff.” Then her brow furrowed as she realized what she’d admitted. “Please don’t get her in trouble. She was just doing me a huge favor because I begged.”
“Your secret is safe with me,” I assured her with a wink that brought more pink to her cheeks. “But tell me what was so important that you needed to crash this particular party?”
Kerrigan glanced away, her expression uncertain, and it remained so when she met my eyes again. I didn’t like that she was hesitant with me. I wanted her to feel comfortable, to trust me and tell me all her secrets.
Yes, I was a fucking hypocrite since there was a ton of shit I would never share with her. But that didn’t stop me from wanting her to surrender to me. To give me everything.
Kerrigan was a bright light in a very dark world. Especially mine, where corruption and deviousness were the reality. She was sweet and innocent. She didn’t belong in this life. Or with me.
But beneath my suave, carefree exterior was a ruthless, selfish man who would do whatever it took to get what I wanted. And I wanted her.
Perhaps I should have felt some guilt over my actions and intentions, but it wasn’t an emotion that I wasted my time with.
“You can trust me, petite miette,” I told her in a compelling, sensual voice.
Kerrigan sounded breathless again when she asked, “What did you call me?”
I smiled lazily, not quite letting her see the wicked intensity I was feeling.
“Petite miette. The closest translation is ‘little crumb.’”
I chuckled when she scrunched her nose, and my thumb brushed her wrist as we moved.
“Don’t be offended. It’s along the lines of ‘little thing.’ But it felt appropriate since you’re so small and sweet.” I brought her closer so she could feel her effect on my body. Heat blazed in my eyes when I continued, “And I’m confident that you’ll be impossible to stop tasting once I start.”
Kerrigan’s mouth formed a cute little O, and her face flushed, but not from embarrassment. An echoing warmth in her green pools gave away the fact that she was just as affected by me as I was by her. The spark in them also told me that seducing my little miette was going to be hot as hell and a fuck of a lot of fun.
I decided to give her a little reprieve, though. The last thing I wanted was to scare her off.
“So tell me, what is the reason that brought you here, fortunately for me, into my arms?”
She bit her full bottom lip, and I resisted the urge to nip at it so she would let the plump flesh go. I didn’t like feeling jealous of a fucking mouth. But fuck all if I could help it. Putain. I wanted to feel those lips all over me, not just between my teeth.
I could practically see the wheels turning in her head as she studied me, trying to decide whether to trust me.
“It’s difficult to prove yourself in this business,” she admitted. “I’m sure you know that being a junior curator sounds more glamorous than it is. You must have plenty of curators at all levels working for you.”
My chin dipped in response, though I didn’t say anything. She was right to a certain extent. She just didn’t know that those curators I worked with had already proven themselves to The Family. They were assets in our less-than-legal activities in the art world and in the ones above board.
Kerrigan sighed. “Most of the time, it feels like my boss sees me as a cataloger or gofer rather than someone to teach and guide into becoming her equal.”
“Starting out is never easy,” I replied sympathetically. “And the competition to move up is fierce. As much as I hate to say it, many people will do their best to keep others from climbing the ladder because they’re afraid they will be knocked off.”
That was often the case, but I didn’t want to discourage her. Before I could say anything reassuring, she surprised me.
Determination glinted in her eyes, and her voice was firm when she spoke. “That’s why I’ve been looking for an opportunity to prove myself. I can’t just wait around for it to be dropped in my lap. I might be stuck waiting forever if I do.”