Page 94 of River & Rue

“I almost murdered you.”

I smirk. “With a brush?”

“I—” She starts, then stops and frowns. “What are you doing here?”

“Are you aware you left your front door wide open?”

Her eyes flare, telling me she isn’t. “So you invited yourself in to, what? Lecture me on personal safety?”

“Not quite.”

So she can’t misunderstand, I drag my gaze down her body, lingering on her legs before returning my attention to her face. Her lips have parted. Each ragged breath she takes tests the towel’s resilience across her chest. As I start walking toward her, the black of her pupils blooms across blue.

I stop close enough to hear her tiny gasp when I place my hands on the dresser on either side of her. Then I lower my mouth to her ear.

“I owe you a thank you for saving me earlier. Lucky for me, our conversation this morning also needs to be finished.”

She makes a strangled sound. “I told you I don’t expect that.”

“You’re missing a crucial piece of information, sweet Ruin. My desire to reciprocate is completely selfish. I’ve dreamed about your thighs around my neck for a long, long time. You gave me a taste last night, but I want it from the source. So, any interest in coming all over my face?”

I lean back. Her gaze lifts.

Instead of finding desire in her eyes, I find uncertainty. Instead of excitement, I find fear.

My lungs lock, my heart drops through the floor, and I take two immediate steps back.

“I’m sorry. I’ll go.”

Her eyes round in panic. She lunges forward, grabbing a fistful of my T-shirt in one hand. Her other wraps around my wrist. Before I can comprehend her intent, she shoves my hand between her legs—right against her hot, wet pussy.

Blood rushes to my cock so fast my head spins.

“You’re soaked. Because of me?”

She licks her lips. “Yes. It’s a long-term, ongoing problem.”

As much as her words fill an empty space inside me, I don’t miss the lingering tightness around her eyes.

“Please tell me what you’re thinking. Tell me what’s wrong so I can fix it.”

She rocks against my hand, and it takes every ounce of my willpower not to move my fingers.

“You’re trying to distract me, Princess.”

“Is it working?”

I wrap my free hand around her neck, my grip light but firm enough to tilt her face upward.

“Tell me. Right now.”

Her throat moves against my palm. “I’m thinking a lot of things. The hand necklace is working for me. The bossy voice is hot, but I’ll stomp on your dick if you speak to me like that in public. Your glasses are stupidly sexy. I wish you didn’t have a shirt on. Or pants. I’m more comfortable giving oral than receiving it, and I don’t want you to be disappointed or take it personally if I can’t come.”

The last part is a rushed mumble, but I’m fluent in Rue St. James.

“That’s a lot to unpack, but for now, let’s focus on your final statements. Or should I say assumptions.”

I cup her pussy, pressing my palm firmly to her clit. She gasps, her hips canting instinctively, and slaps her hands against the face of the dresser to steady herself.