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.
I reach out and grab her elbow, not allowing her to get far. “You let anyone else touch you but me, Cora, and he won’t live to see tomorrow.”
“You can’t be serious.” She glares up at me.
“Deadly.”
