I tut. “I had three pieces. I expect you to eat at least two. We don’t want to waste, do we?”
And I’d hate to see anything happen to those amazing curves all because being trapped with me put her off her appetite…
A muscle flexes in her jaw, but she grabs a second piece of toast, slamming it down on top of the first one.
I swallow my smile. I don’t want her to think I’m patronizing her, but damn if my erection doesn’t twitch a little to see some of her spunk shining through. And if that was bad, it’s fuckingtorturewatching her eat her breakfast overthe rim of my coffee mug. As though she doesn’t want to have that conversation with me at all, she takes her time, but I don’t mind.
I like to watch her eat.
I like to watch her sleep.
Fuck, I just like to watchher, and so consumed by allowing myself to do that in person instead of behind a screen, I almost miss the moment when she shoves her empty plate away from her.
Almost, but not quite, and as soon as she’s done, I gesture for her to join me in the front area. I already turned the fireplace on while I was waiting for her to come down. The flickering flames reflect off the shiny wrapping paper, catching her attention.
Her brow furrows. “I know it’s Christmas Eve, but it’s not like Santa’s coming here anyway. Why are there presents under the tree?”
I straighten my tie, shifting my bulk so that I’m standing between Noelle and the gifts. “Santa would never forget such a good girl,” I tell her, “but those are for tomorrow.”
The furrow deepens. “You brought mepresents?”
Of course I did. “Why wouldn’t I? Haven’t I told you? When I was still active in the life, my nickname was Saint.”
I wait to see if she recognizes the name. In my experience, only those who are actively involved in the organized crime scene do.
“Because you terrorize women, then bring them presents so that it makes it okay?”
Charming, Noelle. “No, because once the targets realize who Damien Libellula sent after them, they all drop to their knees and start praying.” Damien’s cousin, Vin, gave me the name after my third leaf, when rumors around my abilities started growing in Springfield. “And now it’s your turn. On your knees, Starling.”
She blinks, fear suddenly returning to her eyes. “Are you… are you going to kill me?”
Never. “Now that you’ve had a night to think about what I’ve done for you, I’m ready to move on to my second demand. You gave me your lips already. Now, sweet Starling, I want your mouth.”
It takes a moment for it to click. “Oh, you bastard. You’resick. You know what they did to me, and to thank you for killing them, you want me to show some gratitude in the same way? You want me to blow you?”
Desperately, but I also want her to understand that I’m not like them at all.
“I think there’s a bit of a difference?—”
Her eyes flash angrily. It’s better than the fear, but not by much. “I don’t think so.”
“Really? Correct me if I’m wrong, but Marcus Willis blackmailed a drugged-up beauty into sucking his cock.” I don’t wait for her answer. I don’t need it. “I’m telling you what I want if you want to consider the matter ofmy debt settled.” I pause again, knowing I have every ounce of her attention, before asking, “Do you want me to tell you how he died?”
She takes a few steps back. “What? No!”
Liar. She’s dying to know, but she doesn’t think it would be ‘good’ of her to ask.
“I made sure he knew I did it for you,” I tell her instead. And though she hasn’t obeyed quite yet, dropping to her knees in front of me, I unbutton my pants, tugging on the zipper, shoving the material down past my ass so that she can see everything from my upper thigh to my obvious erection. “It’s always been about you.”
It takes her a second to notice. I guess I should be proud that her eyes went straight to my cock, lips parting slightly at the sight of it, but as I lower my hand, pointing to the small black tattoo I have on my inner thigh, she gasps when she sees it.
And then, to my amazement, she drops to her knees in front of me to get a better look.
“Is that?—”
“A starling?” I ask. “Of course it is.”
“Holy shit.”
