Ouch.
I gasped, trying to control my flinch as the tiny teeth tore through my skin, layering me with ink.
“Don’t move, unless you want a sloppy tattoo,” Jethro muttered. His concentration level hummed along with the gun as it razored across the pad of my finger. I tried to see what mark he drew but his head was in the way.
Kes was right, though.
The pain started sharp but swiftly faded to an intoxicating burn. And no sooner had I relaxed into the metal teeth, it was over.
Five minutes was all it took.
The gun turned off and Jethro reclined, letting me steal my hand.
Nursing my new brand, I eyed up my fingertip. My flesh was slightly swollen and red; a new black sigil glowed like sin.
This time I couldn’t stop my heart from tangling with my stomach.
He’d marked me. Owned me. Controlled me.
“Your initials?”
Jethro pursed his lips. His eyes hooded, trying unsuccessfully to hide what he truly wanted to know. If his text wasn’t blatant enough, his initials were a slap in the face with honesty.
His gaze shouted it.
Ask me.
Am I Kite?
I looked away, following the flourish of his old-fashioned handwriting. He wanted me to admit it. To confirm what he’d guessed. I had feelings for Kite. Feelings that I thought were safe being given to a nameless stranger, only to find out that nameless stranger was my nemesis who’d charmed both my body and heart.
The ink glowed black, forever etched into my skin. With evidence like that, I no longer had to ask.
Jethro Kite Hawk.
I looked up through my eyelashes, transmitting a silent message of my own.
I already know.
And I hate you for it.
He stiffened, understanding. “Unless you ask, I won’t say what the letters stand for.”
Secrets shadowed his eyes. Secrets his family weren’t privy to but I was. What did that mean? What did any of this mean?
Deciding this wasn’t the time nor the place to discuss something that would no doubt end in another fight, I tilted my head and played dumb instead. Taunting Jethro was too rewarding to let it go. “You want me to ask? Fine. What does the K stand for?”
Jethro frowned.
Kes chuckled. So far, he’d honoured my request for him to keep my knowledge a secret. Turned out he didn’t need to keep it, after all.
“Your turn.” Jethro deliberately avoided the question by handing me the gun.
I took it, my mouth plopping wide. “What do I do with this?”
Jethro unfolded his hand and carefully rested his knuckles on myknee. The submissive position of his hand and the gentleness in which he touched me sent unwanted pinwheels sparking in my blood.
We both gasped at the contact. My vision went grey on the edges as I fought the overwhelming urge to forget what I’d seen yesterday and give in to him. To trust in my original plan that I had the power to make him care. To trust in my heart and permit it to enjoy this blistering lust.
