Page 141 of Evil Hearts

Chapter Four

Syn

D espite the countless times I’ve envisioned this moment, the shapeshifter is nothing like I imagined. Dark hair, a slim, muscular frame, and ordinary human clothes aren’t what I expected, but somehow he’s perfect. Black tattoos circle his neck and dip below the collar of his shirt, making me wonder if the rest of him is covered in ink as well.

The way his dark, brown eyes study my form with obvious intrigue draws a smile to my lips.

The minutes I waited for him to arrive were spent dreaming up all the ways he would ravage me the second he entered the room. Isn’t that how this is supposed to go? But now that we’re here, my curiosity begs for answers. I want to get to know this man before I let him explore me internally.

It seems like the appropriate thing to do.

“If it makes you more comfortable, we can get in the bed and you can tell me about it,” I say, prodding him for an answer.

His gaze is trained on the opposite side of the room, but he laughs. “You won’t get an answer if we make it to the bed, sweetheart.”

Heat pools in my belly at his words, and I let my gaze travel down his form. I imagine what his arms will feel like when they’re wrapped around me, how his rough hands will feel as they graze my body and make me shatter apart.

Who am I kidding? Do I even want to hear the story now?

“Fair enough,” I say, pushing myself off the lounge and heading for the bottle of wine. I already drank a glass before he arrived, but I need to soothe the nerves that are threatening to rise up again. “Tell me first, then.”

I grab the bottle and bring it to my lips, flicking my eyes over at Kade, who’s still gazing at the wall. Why won’t he look at me? Does he find me unattractive? I take a swig of wine, swallowing down my questions and quickly scolding myself.

It doesn’t matter what he thinks because this is a business transaction. Purely platonic. He’s here to do a job and nothing more.

But if that’s true, why does a weight sit in my chest, growing steadily heavier by the second?

“Why do you think I’m here?” he asks, curiosity making his voice lighter. “I’m sure there are rumors floating around.”

I purse my lips, as I stand with one hand on my hip and the other still holding the wine bottle. Mistress Raiine was vague when it came to how she obtained the shapeshifter, though she made sure I knew about all his special abilities.

Sure, there are rumors, but I try not to concern myself with gossip. It travels like wildfire, distorting the truth. It’s hard enough to discern the truth when so many monsters wield lies like knives, ready to strike down anyone they disagree with. Much less when there are rumors involved.

Why do I think he’s here? Not only is Mistress Raiine relentless when it comes to getting what she wants, she’s vengeful, and it’s no secret. Her reputation is well-known in the monster world, and if this man did anything to cross her, she’d find a way to destroy him. Or own him, in this case.

“I think,” I say, returning the bottle to the table and turning to stroll in his direction, “that Mistress Raiine wanted something from you, and she didn’t get it.”

I step in his line of sight, eager to see if he continues to stare at anything but me. The wine is working its magic, fueling my courage and banishing any hints of doubt I had moments ago. A delicious heat licks at my skin, dancing its way around my body.

Rather than look away, Kade looks up, his eyes locking with mine and making my core throb with its own heartbeat. Why do I enjoy the way he looks at me?

“Interesting.”

He stands in a swift motion, shrinking the distance between us in a step, and I catch my breath. I’ve never been this close to a human, but I doubt any of them are as beautiful as this one. A quiet power radiates from his eyes, the kind that can make you bend to his will without him having to say a word. He may not be a massive, hulking form, but I know that can change at any second.

I’m dying to see it.

“I was framed,” he says, his voice low and velvety. “By vampires.”

“Vampires?”

I don’t remember when I decided to touch him, but suddenly my hand is running its way up his chest. He doesn’t flinch or pull away, but his eyes flicker with eagerness.

“They’ve feuded with monsters for millennia, as I’m sure you’re aware,” he goes on. “I was working for them, and when they needed someone to point a finger at, I was there to take the blame. It didn’t matter what I said at that point. My debt to them was paid when they handed me over to Raiine.”

I have no reason to believe him, but I do.

“And now you’re stuck here until—”

“Forever,” he cuts me off. “She’ll keep me here forever.”

I want to needle him for more answers and pick his brain to learn his thoughts, but the room is sweltering. My desire to be naked trumps my desire for information. With any luck, we’ll have time for that after he’s fucked me so good I forget my name.

Maybe I’ll forget my questions along with it.

His hand slinks around my waist and stops at the small of my back before he pulls me against him.

“But for now, I’m yours.” His gruff voice vibrates across my skin, making me shiver.

His other hand slides behind my neck, tangling in my hair, and he tugs until I expose my neck to him. I’m soaking wet, with arousal dripping down my inner thighs, and he hasn’t even touched me yet.

What kind of shapeshifter witchcraft is this?

I gasp as he grazes his teeth along the side of my neck, his tongue tracing tattoos on my skin. He bites down, making my knees go weak, but his hold on me keeps me upright. My eyes flutter closed as he sucks the side of my neck tenderly.

“You’re curious,” he says, his lips dancing to the other side of my neck. “Direct. I bet you like to be in charge.”

I hum a reply, relishing in his careful movements. He’s correct, but there’s no need to assure him of it. The confidence is clear in his words.

He lets go of my hair and cups his hand behind my neck, making me look at him again. I already miss the feel of his lips on me.

“What else do you know about me?” I ask.

His eyes, which seem to glow a rich amber color in the light, stare into mine, and the corner of his mouth curls up.

“I bet you want to lose control, to let someone else be in charge for a change.” With the flick of his hand, he unties the string behind my neck, and the fabric of my dress slips down my chest. It drifts to the floor, landing in a pool of ruffled fabric, leaving me completely nude.

My nipples pebble under his gaze, and I swallow hard.

“You want me to have my way with you.” His voice vibrates over my skin, leaving goosebumps in its wake. “To fuck you every way imaginable and leave you begging for more.”

He brings his face close to mine, his breath rolling over my skin, and my lips ache to feel his. I don’t know how he discerned all that in the brief minutes we’ve spent together, but he has me pegged. Even I wasn’t exactly sure why I decided on this venture when I got here—aside from curiosity—but his words ring with undeniable truth.

I want him to own me.

Control me.

Use me.

And I don’t want to have to worry about a damn thing, like whether or not I’ll ever see him again. Once I leave the walls of the mansion, I leave all this behind. It’s a one-time thing. A business transaction.

Then why do I feel so conflicted?

“Am I right?” he asks, leaning to graze his lips against mine. The touch is brief, but it stings, sending an electric shock through my body.

I nod, leaning forward to make contact again, but he stays just out of reach.

What a little shit.

“Yes,” I finally pant, desperate to feel more of him on me.

My answer puts a smirk on his face, and he leads me backward, toward the side of the bed.

“Then, lay down,” he says, jerking his chin toward the mattress. “And let me fuck you like the good little monstress you are.”