Still nothing.
Cece meows, clearly annoyed on my behalf.
My phone buzzes.
Shadow King
If you’re done playing spy woman, I have a job for you. Come to the office.
Anger constricts my chest. What the hell is this? He’s been sending me more press releases to proofread, market research, and crap for the Berishas I can do in my sleep. I was the Chief of PR at Fleur, and he’s making me do grunt work I typically assign to interns. I alternate between being insulted and being bored out of my mind.
The damn bastard. I agreed to marry him to protect my family, not to work for him. Especially if he won’t even let me leave the house.
Gritting my teeth, I stand and kick the door for good measure.
“Ow!”Genius move, Lana. I grab my foot and hobble down the stairs.
Elias arches a brow when he sees me limping into his office. “What did you do? Try to kick in the door?”
His lip twitches. The bastard is trying not to laugh.
I stomp forward, biting back a wince with each step. He leans back in his chair and swivels toward me, an air of nonchalance in his frame. He looks too damn good in his crisp white shirt, unbuttoned to the chest, revealing his deliciously cut muscles. Then he taps his lighter against the armrest.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The movements quicken the closer I get, drawing my attention to his corded forearms, the perfect veins and tatted vines running up his skin like a map I want to memorize.
Suddenly, I forget why I’m here. My fingers itch to turn his arm over, to examine his tattoos up close. A perverse need surges through me—to lick the vines, to taste his skin.
A dark chuckle. Then body heat and vetiver as he hauls me onto his lap, and dangles his arm in front of me like a treat.
“Bite it.”
My gaze snaps up, finding his eyes—the greens darkening like a forest at night—snared on mine.
“You’re ridiculous,” I say.
“And yet, you’re considering it.”
I swallow.
“Go on, princess. Take a bite,” he rasps. His eyes dip to my parted lips. “Don’t be a pussy like last time.”
The bastard is referring to our moment in the foyer when I wanted to slice his throat.
My core clenches. I try to remind myself why I hate him.
He’s overbearing and a criminal. He shot my brother and chained me in marriage.
I repeat the thoughts.Yes, that’s it.Sparks shoot up my spine.
I shove him away.
He doesn’t let go.
“What on earth is wrong with you? Can’t get women so you have to manhandle one?”
“That mouth of yours. I shouldpunish you.”
