Page 106 of House of Cards

I still can’t decide which I liked more—the feel of her throat contracting as she gagged, or the way she glared at me with open hatred as I forced her to take every inch of me.

Possibly, it was the fact that it turnedheron. I’ve been working with our Angels for many years now. I can tell when a woman’s body is responding to my attention, be that a gentle caress, a rough kiss, or a brutal caning.

Zoey’s body responds to me like a sunflower chasing the sun.

A woman’s mind, though? I’d have to earn a PhD in psychology to understand them.

“You gonna get that?” Zoey asks when my phone rings again.

I sigh, easing up the edge of the phone just enough to make out the caller ID.

It’s Troy.

I should get it, but I know it’ll just be more of the same. People asking me questions I don’t know the answer too. If I’d left Zoey in the Angel’s quarters, none of this would be happening. Having her at my side has just made my obsession with her grow even stronger.

This can’t last. Iknowit won’t last.

Troy has been following the Fire Marshall’s investigation of the Slice of Heaven’s fire. Their initial report ruled it as ‘suspicious’, but no updates since then. Without Zoey to fill in an insurance claim, it’s been moving slower than molasses.

I never should have chased her that night. One impulsive decision to pursue a card counter has spiraled into this...whatever the hell this is. I acted purely out of selfish interest—the thrill of the hunt, the satisfaction of catching her. Then I kept her because I could, and because something about her defiance lit a fire in me I couldn’t extinguish.

Now I’m in too deep, protecting her from Myles, from clients, from myself. Playing the savior when I’m the one who damned her. The irony isn’t lost on me.

The only logical conclusion is that I should let her go.

Fuck logic.

“No.” I let the phone drop face down again. “And no,” I tut her when I see her still sizing up the remaining cake. “You’ll get cavities.”

“Good thing this position comes with dental.” She drags her fork through her lips, fluttering her eyelashes at me. “Especially if you plan on knocking out my teeth with your giant dick.”

I roll my lips together, shaking my head. “It’s like you want me to punish you, kitten.” Just the thought has my dick hardening in my pants again.

“Oh, believe me, being around you twenty-four-seven is punishment enough. I mean, most married couples don’t even see this much of each other.”

This. Fucking. Woman.

There’s a knock at the door—three rapid, impatient bursts.

“Room service!” The voice is unmistakably Richmond’s.

I glance at Zoey, who’s frozen mid-bite, chocolate frosting on her upper lip. She raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying it either.

“Stay here,” I mutter, moving toward the door.

When I open it just enough to block the view inside, Richmond is leaning against the jamb, eyes too bright, his fingers tapping an erratic pattern against his thigh.

“What do you want?”

“Good to see you, too.” He tries to peer around me into the room. “You gonna let me in?”

“No.” I step into the hallway, pulling the door mostly closed behind me.

Richmond sniffs, running a hand through his hair. His movements are quick, precise, almost mechanical. “We’ve been trying to reach you all day.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“Yeah, busy keeping our new Angel all to yourself.” He gestures to the door with a sharp flick of his wrist. “Is she reallythat good a fuck? If she is, you should be sharing. That’s how we do it around here. Did you forget?”