Page 106 of Villainous Rise

And in the center of it all was Cipher. His hair was disheveled, a grin splitting his face as he threw back a shot of something electric blue.

Holy shit. Cipher was drunk. His usual razor-sharp focus had softened and his movements were looser. His cheeks were flushed, and he was actually laughing, a real, uninhibited laugh that transformed his entire face.

I didn’t even know he could look like that.

I pressed my back against the wall, suddenly feeling overdressed in my reception outfit. This was clearly a private celebration, and I felt like an intruder.

Cipher’s head snapped up, silver eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent heat rushing through my body. Even drunk, his awareness was unnerving. One moment he was across the room, the next he was surging toward me.

“Annie.”

Before I could respond, he scooped me up, hands gripping my thighs as he lifted me. I gave a startled squeal and wrapped my legs around his waist.

“You’re here,” he murmured, and then his mouth was on mine.

It took me a moment to place that the kiss tasted like the drug, Cobalt, with its sweetness that had an electric undertone that tingled against my lips. It was the only thing that could actually get someone with enhanced metabolism drunk.

Cipher’s hands tightened on my thighs, fingers digging in possessively as he deepened the kiss. The room around us erupted in wolf whistles and cheers, but Cipher didn’t seem to care or even notice.

Drunk Cipher had zero shame. Which isn’t all that different from Sober Cipher.

He pulled back from the kiss and called over his shoulder. “Keep drinking. Have some fun. You’ve all fucking earned it.”

The henchmen cheered, raising their drinks as Cipher carried me out of the room, my legs still wrapped around his waist. In the hallway, he pressed me against the wall, his mouth hot on mine.

“Want to stay at the party?” he murmured against my lips.

My answer caught in my throat as his teeth found my neck, biting down just hard enough to make me gasp. My head fell back against the wall, a shudder running through my entire body.

“I’ll take that as a no,” he chuckled.

“Don’t you want to stay at the party?” I asked. “You looked happy. Like you were having fun.”

His eyes flashed. “No.” The word rumbled against my collarbone as he pressed his lips there. “I don’t want to stay at the party.”

His hands shifted, one sliding up to cradle the back of my head while the other kept me pinned against the wall.

“I’m much happier now.” His mouth trailed up my neck. “Celebrating with them was fine. Celebrating inside you is better.”

He carried me to the elevator and pressed the button for his private level without looking, his eyes never leaving mine.

“You’re beautiful,” he said. “And I’m going to fuck you until neither of us can stand.”

“You’re drunk,” I said, pressing a kiss to his jaw.

“Yes. Very observant, Bishop.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You refused to sleep with me when I was drunk. Remember?”

Cipher’s mouth curved into a smile. “Different situation. I planned this while I was still sober. Calculated exactly how much I could drink and still function.” His hands tightened on my thighs, pulling me harder against him. “You’re free to fuck me as much as you want. I made that decision with a clear head.”

Of course he did. Even his intoxication was meticulously planned.

“So,” I said, trying to ignore the ache building between my legs. “Are you pleased with how the match went? You and Havoc were incredible out there.”

His expression softened. “I’m more pleased that you’re here with me now.”

The elevator doors opened to his private floor, and he carried me down the familiar hallway to the Playroom. Kissing me, he went inside.