Poppy rubbed her chest, sucking in short, tight breaths. “Excuse me?”
“Pray, little Poppy. Pray as though your life depends on it.” I took a step back and nodded to the floor.
“What kind of trickery is this?” she protested.
I shook my head. Oddly enough, the roiling swell of anger was fast ebbing away. There was no forgetting what she’d tried to do tonight, but it was my fault for underestimating her.
It would never,everhappen again.
So, what was the harm in letting her live, I reasoned.
“I said, on your knees.”
She jumped at the brusque tone. Sliding off the chair, she bent on the ground. Her jeans hit the cement, and she leaned back on her heels. Clasping her hands before her, she lowered her eyes.
“Look at me,” I demanded.
That nose twitched in the most adorable way. “Why would I do that?”
I lowered my voice. It sounded treacherously close to a caress used only in the sanctuary of the bedroom. “Don’t you look at your deity when you make a supplication for its mercy?”
Her body went deliciously still.
I swore I could feel the jump of her pulse, even though I was nowhere near her veins. The warmth of her blood beckoned me, begging me to take a lick.
That’s it, beautiful, recognize the monster you provoked tonight.
Time seemed to fall still as she lifted her eyes. First the thick, dark lashes rose. Veils pulled up to reveal the show behind. Then the whites rolled back, microscopic red lines slashing across them as the blood pumped into her field of vision.
And then those stunning irises. Rings of soft brown sealing in the pinpricks of black. No jeweler could replicate their beauty. The flecks of amber and starbursts of mahogany clashed in those rings. They spoke of her character, telling me she was gentle andsoft. But on a deeper examination, I saw the fire blazing behind the illusion, ready to strike. To burn. As it had tonight.
“Beg? You?” Poppy cleared her throat. “For what? Mercy?”
“If that is what you think you deserve,” I said, liking this idea more with each passing second.
The sight had my dick fucking hard. It strained against my pants. One flicker of a glance down, and she’d notice it too. But she was focused on my eyes, not daring to drop my gaze.
And damn me, I liked that. Liked it so very, very much.
“I’m waiting, and I’m not a patient—”
“Forgive me, Ivan, for I have sinned,” she began.
I stifled a groan. “Tell me your mortal sin, little flower.”
Poppy wet her lips. My gaze singled on the motion. They were cracked, but it didn’t stop the rush of heat shooting down my spine.
“I stole from you,” she whispered.
I shifted. Hearing it brought pain into this moment. The reminder was a stab. However, it did nothing to quell the lust raging in my veins.
“For that, and the near separation from your son, I beg your forgiveness.” She tipped her chin up ever so slightly. She might be on her knees, but now it was her looking down on me. I felt the change of balance, and I didn’t like it. Especially when she added, “But I will never apologize for trying to protect Brady.”
“He’s safe here,” I groused, suddenly feeling like a bucket of cold water fell and ruined the moment.
“How!” Poppy flung her hands wide. “You live in a rough neighborhood—and that’s putting sugar on it. Plus, you no doubt have enemies. I’ve never heard of a mobster who doesn’t.”
I surged forward and snatched her chin in a vise-like grasp. “We’re not sorting throughmysins tonight, little one. I want your sincerest apology and your promise that you will never pull a fucking stunt like that again.”
