Page 7 of Brutal Sin
“You can be honest.” He wasn’t a pussy who could dish out brutal honesty without taking it in return.
“Really?” She quirked a brow. “In that case, I’m not interested in being with someone driven by arrogance. This isn’t a game to me. And I refuse to coddle another guy who thinks he’s skilled, when reality would prove he’s delusional.”
“You think I’m delusional?” Her disinterest was cathartic. A breath of fresh fucking air. Maybe he needed to get Shay to start a rumor about him loving the thrill of the chase. That way women would stop stalking him and he could go back to enjoying his time in the Vault.
“I think you’re like everyone else here who expects me to give them a quick thrill and a boost to their ego. I assure you, you’ll get neither fromme.”
Feisty. This woman continued to grow in appeal.
“Look…” She sighed. “I apologize for being rude, but this is pointless.” She made for the door. “I’m sorry Shay interrupted whatever you were doing.”
“Leaving would be a mistake.” He didn’t turn to her. He didn’t need to. Although she was abrasive, her hope was palpable. “I promise I’ll give you what you need, but I won’t chase you. You walk out the door and I won’t follow.”
Her footsteps paused and a deep breath whispered into his ears. “How can you promisethat?”
“Because what you interpret as arrogance is actually experience. Unlike other men, I know what I’m doing.”
Her wide eyes spoke of silent disbelief. He let her mull it over, predicting a number of responses before she finally spoke.
“A long list of conquests won’t help. My appetite is more specific thanmost.”
“Have it your way.” He strode for the door, eating up the space betweenthem.
Her throat convulsed. Her fingers twitched. “Wait.” She held out a hand, her heated palm connecting with his chest, the delicate touch powerful in its gentleness. “How?”
He quirked a brow. “How?”
Her hand fell and she huffed. “How would you make mecome?”
“Chitchat isn’t really my thing. Why don’t you just let me showyou?”
“Because every other man who’s received the opportunity has crashed and burned.”
“It’s not my fault you’ve had bad taste in lovers.”
Her eyes narrowed, the callous slits of spite making his cock twitch. He had her. She may not know it, may not even approve of it, but he’d definitelywon.
“Drop the bag.” With the jut of his chin, he indicated the leather strap hanging over her shoulder.
She puffed out her chest, and the rebellion spurred his pulse harder. Faster. He was fully invested now, wanting her to continue the game because most women barely tweaked his interest.
“Drop it.” His voice was low, the command unmistakable.
She didn’t move. Refused to comply.
Silent laughter filled his chest at the obvious way she demanded punishment. Her eyes begged. Her body hummed.
“All right, sweetheart. Have it your way.” He encroached, leaning into her. His gaze never wavered as he placed his hand on her upper arm, gliding it over the exposed skin of her shoulder, toward herneck.
He latched onto her throat, her body heat burning his palm. She sucked in a breath, fast and deep, her acquiescence coming in harsh exhalations. Those brilliant eyes sparked before him with flames of annoyance as he held her at his mercy. And still, she didn’t back away, didn’t even flinch when he tightened hisgrip.
Any other man might’ve been put off by her lack of verbal consent. But he didn’t care. Not one little bit. He received her permission from the unwavering stare, the lick of her tempting lips, the thrust of her chest.
Her bravado had begun to fracture. It wasn’t a large break, merely a fissure to expose how well he’d worked his way under her skin. He wasn’t immune either. The increased beat of her carotid against his fingers and the delicate swallow of her throat had his cock twitching against his zipper.
“Drop. It.” The words grated from his drying mouth.
She lifted the strap from her shoulder and dropped the weight beside her feet with the clink of loose change.
“Good.” He caressed her neck with his thumb and stared into those beseeching eyes. She told him everything he needed to know with that look. She was laid bare. Transparent. “You want this to happen. Want to know how Iknow?”
Her throat expanded under his palm, her heavy swallow like nirvana through his veins.
He leaned closer, his mouth less than an inch from her ear. “Because I’m listening, Ella. I can hear you. I can read you like abook.”
She shook her head. “That’s not myname.”
He growled at the reminder. “It is tonight.”
