CHAPTER TEN
Cosette
I squealwhen Lyam swings me up in the air but soon, with me in his arms, we’re walking back much faster than I’d be able to walk on my own.
“This is crazyyyy,” I protest.
“Your objections? Oh, yeah.” That smug look on his face is so adorable I want to kiss it off.
We pass a few women dressed in tight-fitting skirts and blouses so small they look like bras, but even in their heels they don’t come anywhere near his height. They stare, mouths open, at the sight of Lyam stalking down the street carrying me, determination written across his face. I know what they see: a hot as fuck, dominant man in a T-shirt that does nothing to hide his abs, biceps or pecs, tattoos sneaking out and lacing his arms and neck. My arms strewn around his neck and my shoes hanging on by a thread as my feet helplessly dangle. Plus, I’m pregnant. They might not know that, but it secretly pleases me to keep that detail in mind.
They don’t know the Lyam that I know. They don’t know that he’s marching down this street because he has plans for me that may or may not involve me on my knees, in his bed, or across his lap.
They don’t know that beneath that stern exterior and coarse mouth lies a man with passionate interests, blood that runs loyal, and a need to conquer unlike any I’ve ever seen.
They don’t know him like I do.
I hear one of them sigh, another whisper, “Il est beau comme un dieu.”
He’s as handsome as a god.
I don’t even think he sees them. He walks right past them without a second glance and slips down a narrow alleyway that takes us to a back door. Since we drove here before, I hadn’t seen the way the doors here were camouflaged.
Down one flight of stairs, then up another. When we get to the front steps, he takes them in two massive strides. I hear clicks and locks and whirring and watch as he quickly and effectively bypasses every security measure in place.
“They should have a place like this for the President,” I mutter.
He quirks a brow at me and doesn’t answer.
“Theydo?”
“Of course they do. You think they just allow him to walk around in broad daylight like a free-roaming pet?”
“Hey.” I stop him as we head to the elevator. “Speaking of pets…”
His eyes gleam and my heart turns over in my chest. My belly clenches.
Pets.
Lyam has a thing for all sorts of kinks.
“Now that isn’t the kind of pet I’m talking about, Lyam,” I say warningly.
The elevator door slides open.
“What? You want a puppy?”
“Uh, no.” My mind whirrs. “Actually, that would be—no, no.” Stay focused. “I was wondering where your pets are?”
“I only have two snakes now,” he says, a little chagrined. “And they’re both with Thayer at Le Luxe.”
“Why?”
The elevator soars upward. He’s still holding me.
I don’t protest.
“I had to travel, and they don’t travel well. They were with me in Corsica because I was there for months at a time.”
