Page 20 of Stolen Temptation

His steps abruptly slow, and he turns back to me.

“Now, let’s try this again, sweetheart.” Without warning, he pushes me against the wall. “Who are you,really?”

The demanding edge in his tone stabs blades of ice into my heart.

It’s a tone that’s been used on me many times in my life, and the subtext is always the same.Tell me what I want to know, or I’ll hurt you.

Alarm demolishes the lingering buzz from our kiss, like flames consuming oxygen. “I-I could ask you the same question.”

His dazzling yet unpleasant smile reveals perfect, white teeth. “Do you really think I’m here to play with you?”

Incredibly strong fingers bite into the bends of my elbows, locking me in place.

“I don’t know, are you? You sure seem to kiss well enough to be aplayer.” I spit the words at him as if I possess vast experience with players outside of books. Light flares in his eyes, like I’ve successfully provoked him.

“I know those guards were after you. Why?” He digs his fingers deeper into my flesh, a growl in his throat. “Tell me why you’re being hunted by the De Lucas during a private auction.”

“I…” My heart is flying in my chest. Somehow, I need to get away from this man. “I’ll tell you if you?—”

“If Iwhat?”

Think, Kiara.“If…if you kiss me again.”

His eyelids hood, like the same lust that consumed me took a bite out of him too.

Come on, come on. Take the bait.

The crazy thing is, even though I only said it to trick him, my body is practically quivering over the idea of another kiss.

What’s wrong with me?

Amazingly, my bluff seems to be working. This ridiculously handsome man presses in closer, our noses grazing like he has every intention of laying one on me.

When his mouth brushes mine, I drop all my weight onto his right foot. His hands fall from my arms as an audible grunt of surprise and pain escapes him, and I break free of his embrace, ready to sprint.

I’m only a few steps away before he grabs my bun and drags me backward.

Frantic, I clutch at his wrist, struggling to free myself. He seizes my arm again and yanks it behind my back.

“Wrong move, beautiful girl.” He releases my hair but not my arm. I try to twist around to face him, but he grabs my other arm and folds it back too.

I grimace as he proceeds to trap both of my wrists with one of his calloused palms.

Fear washes over me in waves.

I’m in so much trouble. Worse trouble than before.

Because now I’ve angered him. And angry men enjoy inflicting pain.

“Let me go.” I struggle against his grip, but that only compels him to tighten his hold. He steers me down the hallway, forcing me to walk in front of him. “Please, don’t…”

Don’t what?I don’t even know what he’s planning to do with me. I just know it’s not good. Not good at all.

Determination fights against the current of fear pulsing through my veins.

I did not escape Leo just to be taken hostage by another mafioso.

“Let go.” I infuse acid into my voice, fighting his grip as much as possible without tripping. “I’m warning you. I’ll scream.”