“Ex?” For the first time since I’d gotten him to answer my questions, Kyan seemed animated with irritation. “We don’t have exes. We don’tdorelationships. If Demi, Alice, and all the rest don’t stick to the program, that’s not our fault.”
I scoffed. That gave me the answer I needed. Alice had been another spurned woman they’d left in their wake.
He frowned deeper. “We fuck them for a bit and then send them on their way. Demi hung around the longest, but it wasn’t because of any care for her. It was convenient. The auctions were sucking up a lot of our time?—”
“Auctions?” I bit out. What were they auctioning? What did that mean? They weren’t involved in only gambling and the strip club; there was more?
“That’s enough questions.” Kyan stood.
Surrounded by all the women, excess, and debauchery, they must have tons of flings. Before I could stop myself, I swatted his pant leg.
He stopped, head tilted down as he studied me. His hair fell forward, shadowing his already black irises.
“That’s why Alice wanted to expose you. Out of revenge.” The sharp words came with more anger than I meant. “You guys just use and discard women.”
Kyan looked at me and crouched down, cupping the side of my face. He didn’t seem annoyed with my attitude, only . . . sad?
“We don’t have time to care for anyone else. But I promise you.” His thumb swiped across my lower lip. “I’ve never been more tempted to claim a woman than I am with you.” He had no right to sound so forlorn.
I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but I was stunned silent. “We’re always busy, Briar. Elias handles social aspects while I take care of the financial part. Or anything involving a modicum of paperwork.”
My stomach wouldn’t stop flipping. Why was he talking to me like he was beggingmeto understand?
“What does Sinclair do?” I croaked.
He scoffed. “Fuck things.”
I flinched, the visceral reaction slapping me. Kyan breathed in, hand falling away from my cheek, and looked away, offering me his profile.
“And handles anything . . . physical we need done.”
After watching him direct the bouncers on the floor, it wasn’t surprising.
“Hmph.”
Kyan turned to the side, and his jaw moved. “You ask me these questions, and you get angry at the answers. Would you rather I lie?”
The sudden turn in his behavior took me by surprise.
“No,” I bit out.
We stayed still, watching each other with intense focus. His cheek kept twitching and eyebrows furrowing like he was battling an internal demon.
Suddenly, as if making a decision, he sighed, clasping my face between both palms.
“Don’t be upset.”
I set my jaw. “I’m not.”
A complete lie, but I had a great poker face. He loomed over me, so close his nose almost grazed mine. I couldn’t look away from him, allowing me to see the gradual change in his eyes. They softened, a quiet yearning sheening them. He dipped and caught my lips.
His tongue flicked against mine, his touch careful . . . almost loving in the way he cradled my jaw. He kissed me gently, claiming my mouth with his. I placed my trembling hands on top of his, caressing the indents of his knuckles and veins.
I wanted to grind on him, claim him, fuck him.
“Kyan.” The aggressive snarl shattered the fog of lust.
Kyan pulled back, breathing raggedly as he stood.
