Page 48 of Silk and Sirens

He tilted his head, eyes narrowing. “Why the fuck would I care what Selene thinks?”

“Because she’s dangerous.”

“You’re scared of her?” His voice was low, almost amused.

“Not of her,” I admitted, heart slamming against my ribs. “More what she could do.”

Caden’s gaze darkened. “You’re more scared of her than you are of me?”

“My freedom means everything to me,” I whispered. “I’ll do anything to get it.”

He leaned in until his breath ghosted across my lips, close enough that I could taste the faint scent of smoke. “Even selling your soul to the devil?”

I laughed, and his eyes seemed to drop to my lips. “Who says I have any soul left?”

He hummed, the vibration sending a pulse of heat straight to my core. I clenched my thighs together before I could stop myself, because no way did I find this insufferable man attractive.

“What does she have against you?”

I tilted my head, trying to salvage what little dignity I had left. “Nothing that concerns you.”

“Everything you do concerns me.” Caden finally smiled, another slow curve of his lips that revealed that single dimple. “I told you—every breath, every thought, every fucking heartbeat—your life is now mine.”

“You don’t even like me.”

Caden’s hand slid up my thigh, fingers digging in just hard enough to bruise.

“You really thought I’d do nothing?” he asked, voice deep, rough. “Let you go, even after you fucked me over?”

His thumb stroked possessively over my inner thigh, pushing my dress higher.

“You tricked me into helping you, manipulating the situation like the cunning little siren you are …”

“Caden—”

“So, tell me, Tempest. Who owns you?”

His thumb teased higher, my body tense even as traitorous heat flooded between my legs.

“Stop.”

Caden chuckled, the sound dangerous. “You sought out my attention, and now you don’t want it? You can’t have it both ways, so say it, sweetheart. Tell me who owns you.”

I refused. “No.”

“I don’t do well with people telling me no.”

A soft, breathless laugh escaped me before I could stop it. I would give up everything for my freedom. Everything for a life that wasn’t drenched in blood, blackmail, and pretty lies wrapped in silk. And yet refusing the man who could actually set me free, the man currently looking at me like he hated me, made heat curl low in my belly and my heart race with something far more addictive than fear.

The piano keys whined as Caden leaned forward, his lips hovering over mine. “You’re more trouble than your worth.”

“And still … you have no choice but to help me.”

His eyes flashed with something dangerous. Fury, hunger, and raw frustration all tangled together as the tension between us crackled like a live wire, thick enough to choke on.

“Lie back.”

“What?” My confidence wavered. “Wait⁠—”