Page 49 of Royal Deception

I don’t think, just move.

I step forward, my voice cool but firm. “Let me help with that,” I say, approaching them just as they reach the curb.

Clary blinks up at me in surprise. “Rory?”

Kate scowls, the expression deepening into pure disdain. “What do you want, Brannagan?”

I don’t even look at her, focusing on Clary instead. “I’ve got it,” I insist, my hand extending out for the packages.

Clary hesitates, glancing at the bags in her arms, then looks back at me, a small sigh escaping her. “It’s fine. I’m fine.”

I lift an eyebrow. “You sure about that?” Without waiting for her to protest, I take the bags from her hands, not giving her a chance to argue.

Then, with a casual motion, I let them all fall to the sidewalk with a dull thud.

Kate gasps in outrage. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

I look at her calmly, my voice lowering to a chilling tone. “Clary’s under my protection. So if you ever speak to her like that again…” I let the silence stretch before I add, “You know exactly who I am.”

Kate snatches the bags up from the ground, glaring at me with fiery eyes before turning on her heel and storming off without another word.

I watch her go, then turn back to Clary, who’s standing there, still a little tense, her gaze flickering between me and where Kate disappeared down the street.

“Thank you,” she says quietly, her voice soft but sincere. “But, I’m sorry… I don’t know if that’ll help.”

I shrug, leaning against the brick wall. “I can handle women like Kate.”

Her gaze meets mine for a moment, though there’s still a trace of concern in her eyes. “She’s not going to just let that slide, you know. She’s… bitter.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You don’t need to worry about her.” I pause for a beat, my voice light but serious. “Kate’s not someone I have trouble dealing with.”

Clary’s lips press together as she considers my words, still unsure, but she doesn’t argue.

“So,” I say after a beat, glancing at her, “Are you busy?”

She glances down at the ground for a second, then shrugs slightly. “Not anymore. Now that I’ve been freed from being Kate’s errand boy.” The faintest smile touches her lips, though it’s more out of irony than humor.

I can’t help the smirk that plays at the corner of my mouth. “Well, in that case, I’d say you’ve got some free time to spare.”

She raises an eyebrow, but before she can ask what I mean, I offer, “Why don’t you come to my place? I could use a little company, and I’m sure you could use a break.”

Her eyes narrow slightly, suspicion and curiosity blending. “A break from what?”

I smirk, leaning in a bit, lowering my voice just enough for her to hear the implication. “From everything. You could join me at my place,” I say, a hint of innuendo in my words. “Maybe have a little fun, a little relaxation?”

Clary’s breath catches, her cheeks flushing slightly at my suggestion. “I don’t know if?—”

I cut her off gently, my tone soft but insistent. “It’ll be exactly what you need. Trust me.”

There’s a brief moment of silence before she exhales slowly, clearly torn, but then nods. “Okay. I’ll come.”

An hour later, I’m carefully squeezing Clary’s throat, counting out loud as we experiment with how long she can handle some light breath play. I release her throat, and she takes in a gulp of air, but slowly, as I’ve instructed. There’s a circle of marks there from where I’ve been squeezing, but Clary hasn’t complained once.

“I like the pain,” she explains, her voice slightly hoarse. “It feels like a natural kind of high. It’s grounding.”

I can understand that, even though I’m not as into pain. I’m more into watching someone immerse themselves in the sensations, a voyeur of pain, as it were.

One might call me a Sadist, but I don’t know if that fully fits. What I enjoy is watching as Clary’s mind transforms the pain into a kind of sensual pleasure for her. Something that has her craving more.