Page 59 of The Cost of Silence

Her agreement.

She’s mine now.

I step closer until I’m standing between her knees, the stool pulling me into her space. Her eyes go wide, pupils dark, breath catching.

“Nico…” she whispers.

“Belle.”

I slip my hands to her hips, fingers curling in the soft fabric of the hoodie, thumbs brushing the sliver of skin where the hem has ridden up. She shivers.

“You changed your mind yet?” I ask quietly. “About us. About this.”

She swallows, gaze locked on mine. “No.”

Good.

Because, God help us both, neither have I.

She’s still watching me like she can’t quite decide if I’m about to kiss her or ruin her. Truth is, I haven’t decided either. Probably both.

My hands tighten on her hips, just enough for her breath to catch, just enough to remind her who she gave her word to this morning.

“Nico…” she whispers.

“Belle.” I lean down and slam my lips to hers, slow at first, claiming the shape of her mouth, tasting her soft sounds, then deeper when she opens for me, her fingers curling in the front of my shirt. She trembles, and something primal in me snaps loose. My tongue enters her mouth as I bring my hands up to cup her face, angling her so I can take her deeper.Fuck, she tastes like the sweetest sin. Nothing about this feels controlled, it’s more of a runaway train, untamed, wild.

By the time I lift my head, she’s breathing hard, lips swollen, eyes wide and dazed.

Thank fuck it’s not just me so affected. She looks drunk on my kiss, desperate for more.

Exactly how I want her. I drag my thumbs along her neck, feeling the shiver that rolls through her. “You remember what you offered me this morning?”

Her throat works. “Yes.”

“And you remember what I agreed to?”

She nods.

“Say it.”

Her voice is barely a breath. “Your terms.”

“That’s right.” I lean down, brushing my mouth along the curve of her jaw, slow enough that she sways toward me. “And right now, I want you splayed out on my bed.”

Her breath stutters.

I hold her still, just a fraction rougher. “Go to my room.”

She freezes, her breath coming in short pants, causing her tits to brush against my chest, her hard nipples teasing me.

“Upstairs,” I clarify, my voice dropping into the tone that makes her thighs press together. “My bed. Not yours.” My entire bedroom suite is on the second floor along with my home gym and cinema room.

I step back half an inch, enough to look her fully in the eyes. “When I walk in,” I say softly, “I want to see you waiting for me.” A beat. A pulse. “Naked and wet.”

Her lips part on a shaky inhale.

“And, Belle?” I lower my head until my mouth almost touches hers again. “If you hesitate… I’ll come find you myself. And trust me, my way will be much less gentle.”