Page 157 of Ruin Me With Lies

“Hey, it’s just a suggestion,” I say, holding up both hands.“Feel free to ignore it, like you all did with the southeast wall, because you thought you were unassailable.”I pause, then add, softer this time, “Another thing...I know there are a few bad apples in the bunch, but those snakes will reveal themselves.Trust that your men love and respect you as their leader.No matter how bad it looks,trust that.You didn’t buy their loyalty, you earned it.Don’t doubt them.The loyal ones far outnumber the traitors.”

As if to shut me up, he shoves another bite of bread pudding into my mouth, and I laugh.

“You weren’t involved,” he says.A statement, not a question.

At this, I lift a brow.“How are you so sure?”

“You’re kneeling here talking about psychological and tactical warfare,” he says.“You’redisappointedin my men’s inadequate skills.You had internal access to a lot of our info.And since you’ve been with us, every method you’ve suggested has been clean and untraceable.There’s no way you would be part of something that obvious and messy.”

God, I like him.I really, really like him.“Or maybe I’m just trying to throw you off...”

He shakes his head, rejecting it.“You just told me what you find attractive about me.Now let me tell you whyI’mattracted to you.”He leans down, his gaze sweeping over me.“It’s not your perfect tits.Not your plump, rosy lips.Not even your breathtaking eyes...”He taps two fingers to my temple.“It’s yourmind.Your mind is the sexiest fucking thing about you, sweet liar.I may not knowwhoyou are, but Iknowwho you are.”

There goes my heart again.

Our eyes stay locked, and the longer I look into those soul-stripping depths, the hotter I burn.Need uncoils low in my belly.Blood humming.Nipples tight.

Still, all I manage is, “More.”

He holds my gaze for another pounding beat before leaning back and feeding me another forkful.

This time, he doesn’t make me beg for more.He feeds me on my knees until the dish is empty.

After I’ve swallowed the last bite, he picks up the shot of vodka and raises a brow in question.When I nod, he brings it to my lips, and I knock it back.

As he sets the glass down and covers the empty plate, I beg, “More.”

He chuckles.“It’s all gone.”

My gaze dips pointedly to the bulge between his spread thighs.“More, please.”

A smile teases one corner of his mouth.“What will I get in return?”

“The powerful master asks the helpless prisoner.”

He laughs this time, low and warm.“There’s nothing helpless about you, little liar.”

My response is a one-shoulder shrug.

“How about your real name?”he suggests.

I loosen the ties of my robe and let it fall open, breasts partially exposed.“Make it good, and I might tell you.”

His nostrils flare.Eyes flash.“I poisoned the bread pudding.”

A laugh flies out of me.“Sure.That’s why you ate some first…to let me know it wasn’t.”

With burning eyes, he stares at me like he hates me.Hesodoesn’t.“Take it off.”

No hesitation, I slide the robe off my shoulders until it pools around me, leaving me bare before him.

His gaze drags over me like a slow caress.“You been touching yourself?”

I shake my head.“I was waiting for you.”

“So sure I’d come, huh?”

“At least to gloat.”I slide my knees apart.“I figured you’d be creaming your pants now that Lorenzo’s finally turned on me.”