Page 76 of A Devious Arrangement
I tighten my hold. “This is exactly what you signed up for.”
Her rose-tinted lips part as she meets my gaze with hooded eyes. I lower my mouth, crowd be damned, needing to devour every inch of her.
I swallow hard, losing my mind.
She smirks, tilting her head. “The music’s stopped.”
I straighten, not giving a single fuck that all eyes are on us. The only thing I care about is pulling her into a closed room. I’m going to fuck her until she can’t speak. And by the way she’s watching me, she wants it as badly as I do.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I groan. Could I convince her to give up on finding the tiara tonight?
She shifts out of my arms, and I already know the answer to that.
“Is the ceremony starting?” she asks.
I huff. “Yeah, we’ve got ten minutes.”
“I stashed my stuff in the same closet as last time.”
I give her a wicked smirk, and her eyes narrow on me.
“Don’t even think about it.”
I raise my hands in surrender. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. My thoughts are completely pure. I can’t speak for yours though.”
Her rage is palpable as she twists on her heels and stomps out of the room. I follow after her, not even caring that I’m acting like a puppy on a leash. As long as she’s holding it, I’ll listen.
My shoulder blades rest against the wall as I wait for Stasia to change. I’m standing guard in front of the closet she disappeared into. I cross my arms and take a relaxed pose, one that no one would question.
A Saint approaches me from down the hall, already wearing his cloak and mask. He’s easy to pick out. The same guy from when Stasia kicked his ass in poker. I glance at the still-closed door. It would be hard to explain if she came out of there. Not that I’d mind finding creative ways to keep him quiet, and God knows I’m not above dropping him to the bottom of the ocean.
He bows. “Lord. It’s a nice evening, isn’t it? I hear we’re doing an initiation ceremony tonight.”
I look at him, making it clear I heard, then look away, dismissing him without words.
Cromwell stiffens, but he doesn’t dare say anything. To challenge me here would be a death sentence, and he knows it. He’d already been pushing his luck the other night.
When he disappears down the hall, I knock on the closet door. “You almost ready?”
It creaks open, a silver mask looking up at me. She’s covered from head to toe, but I can still make out the red of her hair, which she’s tied back into her hood. My small smirk grows with anticipation. This is going to be fun.
“Stop looking at me like that, or everyone will know,” she whispers.
I brush my thumb over her bottom lip, tugging it down. “I can’t help it. How are you so pretty, even dressed like your brother?”
“Don’t tell me you have a crush on him.” I can’t read her face, but her voice is pure annoyance.
Is my girl jealous?
“If he looks like you, I wouldn’t put it past me.” I’m smiling wide now, loving her every reaction.
“Fine. I’ll get you his number when this is all over. Now, get away from me.” She’s tense, and I can see the glint in her eyes through her mask.
“Come on, Princess. You know you’re the only one for me.” I pull her hood lower, covering her completely. The last thing I want is for her to be caught. I may be a Lord, but it’ll still be a pain in the ass to get her out of it.
She turns her head to the side, pointing toward where the stairs lead down the Vault. She’s obviously pissed, but I just like that even more.
Following her again, I let her lead the way to the entrance, where she stops. She’s trembling, and I place my palm on the small of her back. We’re running late, giving us privacy since all the members of the Order of Saints will already be below.
