Page 24 of Devoured

Most of the servers had left, leaving us and a few stragglers in that sunny lobby. I was there for more than one reason, not simply a vague interest in the court case. Now that it was over, there were other tasks to attend to.

“We’re business associates,” I said casually, a subtle grin lingering on my mouth. “Jake once worked at the Dahlia District. It’s my job to know the history of the establishment.” Iris rolled her eyes, then crossed her arms over her chest, blocking me. “And I’m curious about you.”

“Curious about me?” She grimaced. “Why?”

“Why does a smart, talented woman want to own a sex club? And what does that woman do when there are issues within the club’s work-family?”

Her mouth opened as she looked up at me. Her arms were covered in lush flowers, half-withered and crimson, with black with spiky gates in between the bouquets. And on the perch, a raven with its eyes cocked at me. The ominous little bastard.

“Let me cheer you up,” I said. A thought popped into my head: I could make her get a tattoo as part of the bet. A happy-face tattoo smack dab on her neck. A sarcastic jab at the bliss in the midst of the macabre on the rest of her skin’s canvas. Would that cheer her up?

It was an amusing thought, but it wouldn’t fit. And I liked Iris’s art the way it was.

“I’m not really in the mood for fun and games right now,” she said.

Fun and games? We would have plenty of those, as long as she bent to my will.

“Do I need to use my power?” I asked, raising a brow. A blush rippled across her face, flashing deep red, before disappearing on her creamy skin. She bit her lip, drawing my attention to her mouth, a surge of desire inching through me, heading to my groin, remembering the texture of her throat, the way she choked on my dick.

Power it was.

“Fine,” I said. “You’re coming with me.”