“Doubling my odds.”
I snort, not understanding nor caring enough to ask what he means by that. He pushes off the tree, getting my attention, and I take a step back.
His lips curl up slightly with amusement. “Nothing to be afraid of.”
I laugh at that absurd observation. “Oh, I’m not afraid of you.” I’ve come a long way in the past six years. I will fuck a man up without thought.
He takes another step toward me, and I match it.
“Your actions say otherwise,” he muses. Putting the cigarette between his lips, he takes in another drag as his gaze drops to my black platform boots. I had to sew up another Lord after a confessional tonight, and I haven’t changed yet, though I at least had the chance to wash up afterward.
“Maybe I’m pretending.” I shrug. “To throw you off.” You have to bait the hook before you can cast the rod.
“Pretending?” he repeats, taking another pull before blowing it out. “Is that what this is, Eve? Are we going to pretend that I haven’t seen you naked?” I swallow at the way his blue eyes graze over my chest. Those butterflies that I can’t seem to shake take flight in my stomach. “That I never heard my name on your lips while cum leaked from your pussy?”
“Kash—”
“You remember that, right? Before you ran away from me?”
I roll my eyes to feign annoyance and ignore the way my pussy clenches at the memory. “It was one time.”
“It was the first time,” he promises. “You won’t get away from me this time, Eve.”
He takes another step closer, and I match it once more. I won’t let himtouch me. “What we did was a mistake. We both know it.” I wasn’t aware of who he was that night, but I am now, and I want nothing to do with him.
“Want me to save you from a rapist? Then you can reward me by letting me have my way with you while you beg me like a good whore?” He smiles at me. “That’s what you’re into, right?”
“Fuck you, Kash,” I say through gritted teeth, hating that I ever let him get me off.
The man turns and makes his way to the bathroom. I blink, trying to calm my racing heart. I came all over myself. Like a trained whore. I can’t say no. It’s not a word we’re allowed to use.
But I wanted him. He looked at me like I was the prettiest thing he’d ever seen. He saved me.
I glance down at the dead guy on the floor and get to my feet, even though my legs are shaking. A quick look at Kash, and he’s still in the bathroom, washing his hands. I grab his suit jacket, rush to the door, and softly close it behind me.
I run, pushing people out of my way, tears rolling down my face. I feel sick, my stomach turning and a sour taste filling my mouth.
“Whoa—”
My upper arm is grabbed, and I’m spun around.
I try to push him off, but the grip just tightens. “Don’t.” My voice cracks.
He looks me up and down. “Christ. What the fuck happened to you?” He pulls me into a bathroom, and I immediately drop to my knees, gasping for breath.
“I…uh…he…”
“What the fuck did you do?” he growls, grabbing my hair.
“I didn’t—” I choke, gripping the toilet. “He’s dead,” I manage to get out before the first wave hits me and I’m vomiting all the champagne I had tonight.
“You fucking killed him?” He yanks me back by my hair as I get sick all over myself. “Fucking bitch.” Hissing, he shoves me to the side, and I curl into myself.
I was disgusted afterward. That I’d allowed this man to touch me. By how easily I’d thrown myself at him.
Kashton’s smile just grows, as if he knows how much he affected me. “You were so wet…begging me to fuck you.”
My nails dig into my palms.
