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“Stop touching me as you please, Kingston.” My voice is shaky.

“But you melt so perfectly in my arms.”

I try changing the subject to tonight’s festivities. “When will it begin?”

“There’s time. Two hours or so,” he replies, not missing my subtle shifting of topics. “About your research, did you make a list of all the spots you want to visit while you’re here?”

“Umm… yes. Why do you ask?”

He holds up his hands innocently. “I’m not going to stalk you around the town, Twinkle. Just making sure you aren’t missing the must-see spots.”

“Okay.” Walking over to the couch where I left my purse, I bend to grab it. I search the contents while Kingston follows after me. Once I find the folded itinerary sheet, I stand up and face him.

“You wrote it down?” He arches one eyebrow in shock and amusement.

“Call me old-fashioned.”

“Or a cute little nerd.”

“Whatever.” I poke out my tongue. Keeping the list out of reach, I confirm once more, “Promise you will only give me advice?”

“No nefarious purpose, I promise,” he swears again. “You’ll be asking the concierge anyway. This will save time. Plus, I’ve lived here practically my whole life.”

“Fine.” I pass him the paper.

While he peruses, I decide to get water from the kitchen he showed me earlier. He doesn’t follow me and I take the time to explore the place a bit on my own. The woodwork done around the rooms is impressive and decorated with picturesque and vintage paintings.

In the living room, there’s a big television screen hanging above the fireplace mantel. I’ll need to ask him how to get the fire going. I’ve never seen one in person.

By the time I circle back to the foyer, Kingston is still deep in reading the list with serious intent. His expression is unreadable as he absently licks the corner of his lips.

At the sound of my approaching footsteps, he looks up.

I watch a filthy glint sharpen his mesmerizing brown eyes, causing my heart to thump wildly. My gait falters and my instincts tell me to run.

And I almost do when he speaks.

“So, you want to be put on a leash and fucked like a slave?”

CHAPTER – 10

Twinkle

Oh. My. God.

No way I handed himthatlist. The one that was never supposed to see the light of day. Most certainly not in the hands of the sexiest man alive, whom I’ve been crushing on for months. Most absolutely fucking not accidentally.

How can I be so stupid? Check first. Always double-check.

I’m going to die.

Strike that. Iwantto die.

Why isn’t a deadly bolt of lightning striking me?

“Quite an impressive list,” Kingston murmurs, smirking deviously as he stares at the piece of paper. He looks like a man who found a hidden treasure. “I can see you’ve put a lot of thought into it.”

That kicks me into action and I cross the room to him, intent on snatching the paper back. He’s faster and raises it out of reach, while wrapping an arm around my waist to hold me captive.