Page 66 of A Devious Arrangement
I’m still standing dumbfounded as Damon disappears around the corner, following his brother. At some point, we will have to tell them the truth, and I can only hope they don’t hate me for it.
Warm arms wrap around my middle from behind, and the heat from Bash’s chest seeps into my spine.
His mouth is close to my ear when he says, “If you don’t like lying, I’m more than happy to make it the truth.”
I twist to face him, and he gives me a lopsided smirk.
He’s playing a game that I can’t afford to lose.
I lift onto my toes and close the distance between our mouths. He stiffens for less than a second before he’s taking the kiss deeper.
The crowd of people staring disappears from my mind as his tongue twists with mine, and his hand grips my hip and presses me firmly against him. I gasp when the hard ridge of his cocklines up with my core, driving pleasure through me. I’m lost to needing more and chase after Bash’s kiss when he pulls away with a chuckle.
“You can shut me up like this anytime.”
Chapter 31
Bash
I tracethe marks I left along Stasia’s bare shoulders as she sleeps. Swollen bruises from where I sucked on her delicate skin, blooming out in deep pink. Teeth marks from where I bit her soft skin as I came deep inside her. She’s wearing the proof of me fucking her all over her body. I know I’d kill anyone who saw her, but that doesn’t stop the sick primal wanting to show my brand off. There’s a curl of warmth in my chest, knowing exactly how Stasia would feel about that. I’d be lucky to make it out with my nuts intact.
My thumb grazes her temple as I push the baby strands of hair from her face. She turns into my touch, a hum in her throat that has my heart kicking into my ribs. If I didn’t have somewhere else to go, I’d devour her right now.
I kiss along the curve of her neck and bury my nose in her hair. She smells like vanilla and honey, and I’m fucking starving.
There’s a low growl in my chest as I trace the faint bruise circling her wrist. I’d been feral tonight, out of my mind after that asshole touched her.
I’m still barely holding myself together. If it wasn’t for Damon and Matthias stepping in, I’d have torn that man apart right there in the ballroom. Except Damon was right when hesaid I needed to take care of Stasia first, and I trusted my brothers to get things ready for me.
Raising the covers up to her neck, I tuck them in around her. She’d taken me into her body, accepting every untamed part of me, matching my pace as if she was made for me until her clear blue eyes drooped with exhaustion. I kiss her forehead. “Sleep well, Princess. I’ll be right back.”
Dark clothes are better at hiding blood, so I slide on a black button-up shirt and a pair of black wool slacks. There’s a thrill prickling under my skin as anticipation sets in. It’s been a while since we’ve done this, and I, for one, am looking forward to wiping the leer off that asshole’s face. I brought Stasia back home, unable to keep my hands off her and needing somewhere safe. Every protective instinct kicked in until I was nothing more than an animal.
I close the door quietly behind me, not wanting her to wake up before I’m back. I’m down the stairs in seconds, grabbing my keys from the table, and leave.
Two of my men wait on either side of the porch. They’re both dressed in black suits, with barely concealed guns strapped to their sides.
“You’re leaving late, boss.” Carter nods. He’s at least six foot six, made up of solid muscle. No one’s getting past him. He’s worked for me the longest and one of the only ones I’d trust with my girl.
It’s nearly 2:00 a.m., but I know my brothers are waiting for me, and the adrenaline about what happens next has me on edge.
“I’ve got something to take care of. No one goes in but me.” It’s a low command, one that’s not to be argued with.
“Of course, boss,” they reply in unison.
Good. All I need to do now is get this over with as soon as possible. Some of my excitement wears off, replaced by the callto go back to her. When the fuck did I get so whipped, and why aren’t I mad about it?
The ride to the Elysium is quick, and I take the stairs to the basement two at a time. The closer I get, the more the tension builds between my shoulders.
I knock three times on the thick steel door. This section of the building is missing any of the lush adornment of the upstairs. Gray-painted cinder block walls and flickering fluorescent overhead lights set the perfect mood for what happens next.
“Who is it?” Matthias’s familiar voice comes through the door.
“Me, asshole. Open up.” It swings open, grazing my shoulder.
“Took you long enough,” Damon says from over Matthias’s shoulder.
I can’t stop my smirk. “You’re the one who told me to take care of her.”
