Page 77 of Carnal Urges

“No.”

“This is the last time I’ll ask nice.”

My laugh sounds mad and scary. “That’s you asking nice? Such great manners. By the way, it should be ‘nicely.’ So much for that high IQ you keep bragging about.”

Six seconds of thundering silence pass before anything happens. I know because I count.

Then Declan says, “I have one word for you: Stavi.”

I clench my hands to fists.

He turns his palm upward, waiting.

“I’ll get you back for this. I swear, I will.”

His dangerous smile deepens.

I moisten my lips, do a round of utterly ineffective box breathing, then hold out my left hand.

Never taking his gaze from mine, he encircles my wrist with cold metal. An involuntary shiver runs through my body. It makes his dangerous smile grow hot.

He cuffs my other wrist, closing his hands around the metal so I’m bound by both.

Trying hard to keep my voice calm, I say, “I’ve never seen you look so happy, gangster.”

“And I’ve never seen you look so nervous. What awful thing do you imagine I’m going to do to you?”

He’s trying to intimidate me. I refuse to give him the satisfaction of an answer and remain silent.

He pulls me close, fists a hand into my hair, and puts his mouth next to my ear. His voice husky, he says, “Whatever it is, you’re right.”

Heart, calm down. This isn’t the time to explode. That goes for you, too, ovaries.

“Being in your presence is awful enough.”

He inhales against my neck, sending a cascade of shivers down my spine. “Why didn’t you tell me about the other tests?”

“I was too busy being worried that you were okay, which, in retrospect, is one of the stupidest things I’ve ever done. Or thought. Or heard of.”

“And why were you worried about me, hellcat? Tell the truth.”

God, his voice is hot. And his body is hot. As are the air, my skin, and my panties. I’ve got a conflagration in my underpants that could turn the entire East Coast into a pile of smoking ashes.

I say hoarsely, “Because I hate you, and I want to be there when you finally get shot through the heart by one of your enemies.”

“But I already have, lass,” he murmurs, his lips moving against my skin. “I already have.”

He pulls my head back and kisses me.

And just like that, I’m gone.

All the fight drains out of me. The will to resist him vanishes in a snap. I sag against him and let him drink deep from my mouth, not caring about the little sounds of pleasure I’m making or that Kieran is witnessing all this or anything else.

I simply surrender.

To his mouth.

To the kiss.