I place my hand on Veon’s chest, the warmth of his skin bleeding through his black t-shirt. Jeez, his chest is firm. I press down with my fingers slightly, feeling the density of his muscle, and I trail the tips of my fingers down his torso.
My mouth waters and heat flushes up the back of my neck. There’s a loud drumming in my ears as my heart kicks up its speed.
Fuck, I’m touching Veon, and he’slettingme. I count his abs—all eight of them—and I have to check myself for drool. He’s built like a god, and I have the sudden urge to slice his shirt from him, to—
A hand wraps around my wrist, but he doesn’t push me away. “Stop that.”
Veon’s voice is low, husky and raw, and when my eyes meet his, I see a war battling in his blue orbs.
“Why? Is it bothering you?”
“No,” he replies flatly.
Too flatly.
I lean closer and drop my voice to a whisper. “Then why are you trembling?”
I trail my fingers lower, towards the waistband of his trousers, and feel a shiver run through him.
Veon’s nostrils flare wide as he inhales deeply. “Stop.”
I hook my fingers into the top of his belt. “Tell me why, and I will.”
For a moment he doesn’t breathe; he just stares at me while my fingers scrape against the trail leading to his cock.
Suddenly, his hand darts out and wraps around my throat. He walks me backwards until my back hits the wall, and he pins me to it with his large frame.
I shudder beneath him as his breath caresses the shell of my ear.
“Because, baby, if I ever claim you, I want to make sure you’re far away from your father and I’m far away from my duty.” He trails his lips along the side of my jaw, and my core clenches with need. “I’m going to make you scream and beg as I turn your ass red for all the shit you pull. I bet you scream so pretty, baby.”
Veon sinks his teeth into the soft spot at the base of my neck and sucks at the skin. My entire world focuses on the feel of his mouth on me and the wet heat of it against my skin. My eyes roll back in my head as he pulls and sucks, and my fingers twist into the fabric of his shirt, trying to hold him closer.
He releases me with a wet pop, and his eyes meet mine. They’re full of heat and yearning, and I melt under the weight of his gaze, sinking back into the wall.
“Until it’s no longer my duty to protect you, Echo, that’s all you’ll ever get.” Then he steps back away from my reach.
“You expect me to function after that?” I ask in disbelief.
Veon only smirks like a goddamn wolf and holds his arm out like a gentleman to let me walk in front of him.
For the second time today, I straighten my shoulders and hold my head high as I walk out of the house.
I need to see a guy about a phone.
Chapter Five
Echo
Sphinx is pissed when I turn up on his doorstep. The top lip of his plump mouth is pulled back in a snarl, and his eyes are two narrow slits. His white-blonde hair is damp, and judging by the towel hung low on his waist, he’s just got out of the shower.
That’s not his real name, by the way. At least I don’t think it is. I mean, who calls their kidSphinx?
We met at an underground fight ring a few years ago. He likes to fight, and I was there watching because violence is my jam.He’s pretty lethal in the ring, but I found out he’s more deadly behind a computer screen. Jeez, the things this man can do with his fingers… and not in a sexy way.
“You gonna let us in?” I ask sweetly.
He folds his arms over his bare chest. “The fuck you want?”
