Page 41 of Beautiful Secrets

This time, until her head is hanging over the side of the bed.

And this time, I don’t let go.

The letter opener she stabbed into my bicep didn’t go in deep, thank God, but it still hurts like a motherfucker whenever I move my arm.

Wide blue eyes stare at me as I pop open the top button on my pants.

But there’s no trace of fear in those eyes—just blazing defiance.

Daringme.

Then her face crumples like she’s about to start crying, but she doesn’t actually shed a tear. Maybe she’s not capable—I know Dimitri is a heartless piece of shit, so maybe he passed that on to all his children.

She starts shaking her head. Brings her hands up, clasped together like she’s praying.

I stare down at her angelic face before my gaze climbs over her body, laid out so perfectly for me.

What would her naked skin feel like to touch? To kiss? Tolick?

What sound would she make when I teased her nipples with my teeth?

My cock stiffens in my jeans.

When my eyes lock onto hers again, she licks her lips.

But this time it isn’t unconscious. It’s slow, and it’s deliberate.

“I have money,” she whispers.

I cock my head at her. “Do you, now?”

“Yes.” She widens her eyes. “However much you want. If you take me to my bank, I can give—”

I press my finger to her lips. “Ssh.”

Her jaw clamps closed. She watches me for a second and then lifts her head. But when she starts shimmying her shoulders to move her neck back onto the mattress, I reach down and grab a fistful of her tomboy short white-blond hair.

She licks her lips again.

“How much?” I ask, willing my dick to deflate so I can think straight.

Obviously she doesn’t have any money. She would have offered it much sooner if she did. I’m guessing now that she’s finally realized that she can’t escape, she’s come up with a contingency plan.

It’s fucking adorable and, honestly, I admire her stubbornness.

“Lots,” she says.

“Give me a number.”

“You can have everything.”

My eyes roam her body again. “Oh, I plan to, my little rabbit. But that’s not what I was asking.”

Her lips tremble until she bites down on the bottom one.

Christ, she has to be doing this shit on purpose. How could she not know what effect she’s having on me? My cock is bulging against the front of my jeans, for Christ’s sake.

“Seven million, five hundred and twenty thousand.”