Page 80 of Villainous Intent

“Now, Annie.”

I moved reluctantly, each step heightening the awareness of my nakedness. Behind me, I heard the distinct clink of a belt buckle being undone, then the sharp whisper of leather sliding through belt loops. My pulse kicked up, a confusing mixture of fear and excitement surging through my veins.

I turned to face him, my back pressed against the post. Cipher stood there, belt dangling from his fist, his eyes tracking every minute shift of my body.

“Put your hands up,” he said, nodding toward the top of the post.

“Why?” I challenged, though my voice betrayed me with a slight tremor.

The corner of his mouth quirked up. “Because you came to my home and attempted to seduce another man right in front of me.” He stepped closer, the belt swinging slightly with his movement. “You’re going to have to live with that mistake, but I can’t let that behavior go unpunished.” His voice dropped to a dangerous growl. “Put your fucking arms up.”

“Are you really going to punish me for being afraid of what I want?” I demanded. “For being afraid to stop hiding myself?”

Something flashed in his eyes, recognition maybe, but it didn’t soften him.

“I’m punishing you for trying to punish me,” he said, moving closer. “For flaunting yourself in front of me while Finley gave his pathetic attempt at seducing you.” His free hand came up to grip my jaw, tilting my face up to his. “Now put your fucking arms up. This is a punishment. This isn’t for fun and it sure as hell isn’t for your fucking pleasure. This is the consequence of your actions tonight.”

I swallowed hard, then slowly raised my arms above my head. My breasts lifted with the movement, and I watched his gaze drop to them, hunger plain on his face.

Cipher wrapped the belt around my wrists and secured them to the post. The leather was warm from his body, the binding tight. When he finished, he stepped back to admire his work.

I tugged experimentally at my restraints. They didn’t budge. I wasn’t going anywhere until he let me.

“Tell me something, Annie,” he murmured, his metallic gaze dragging down the length of my body, lingering between my thighs. “Did you honestly think Finley was going to make you come tonight?”

I scowled at him, twisting my wrists against the leather belt. “I chose you, not him.”

His smile sharpened. “You willingly came here to taunt me with what I couldn’t have. You wanted me to suffer.” He tilted his head. “Those are your own fucking words, Annie.”

He closed the distance again and leaned in. The heat of his breath whispered against my neck, the phantom pressure of a kiss that never landed. He trailed his open mouth down the sensitive line of my throat, ghosting over my collarbone without ever making actual physical contact.

“But look at you,” he whispered, his voice a dark purr against my skin. “I fucking have you.”

He pulled back, his expression hardening. “So answer my fucking question, Annie. Would Finley have been able to make you come? Would he have dragged his tongue over your clit and treated your pussy the way it actually needs to be treated? Would he have you screaming yourself hoarse while he fucked you?”

“No,” I gritted out. I couldn’t lie to him. Not when I was strapped to his bed and dripping for him.

I had spent my entire adult life faking perfection, pretending the fumblings of my perfectly normal partners were enough for me. Finley would have been exactly the same. He would have a careful, boring rhythm that would have left me unsatisfied.

Cipher brought his face level with mine.

“Finley would have made love to a woman that didn’t exist,” he stated, his eyes cold and distant.

“Fuck you.” His words were meant to carve straight through to my insecurities and they’d fucking hurt.

Cipher smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“He had a fucking gift handed to him tonight.” The cold smile vanished, replaced by a look of fury. He dragged a single knuckle down my throat, pressing hard enough to make me swallow. “You wrapped yourself up in silk and offered yourself to him. He should have dragged you out of that party the second you looked his way.”

His silver eyes darkened with disgust. “He looked at a masterpiece and treated you like a polite conversation piece. He didn’t see the fire in you, Annie. He didn’t see the desperate creature begging to be broken. He wasted the opportunity to worship you.”

“Shouldn’t you be happy about that? His loss, your gain, right?” My voice was shaking with anger, but I was genuinely curious. Cipher seemed like he was actually pissed that Finley hadn’t managed to seduce me.

“Why the fuck would I ever be happy about someone mistreating you?”

“I—” I didn’t know what to say because in no way, shape, or form had I expected that response. He was enraged that another man hadn’t appreciated the exact darkness I had spent my entire life trying to hide and I didn’t know how to feel about that.

“He called you pretty,” Cipher hissed, looking like he was ready to actually fight someone. “So yes, Annie, you were fucking mistreated. No man in his right mind would ever look at you and think you are just pretty.”