Page 19 of Savage Promises (Quinlan Empire #2)

Shane

I watch Lennox swirl her tequila cocktail, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol. The sexiness in her eyes is something I can’t look away from.

“So, Shane,” she says, propping her chin on her hand as she studies me. “How many women have you rescued and tucked away in your villa?”

I lean back against the tufted rolls of the leather booth. “Is that your way of asking me about my sex life?” There’s not much to tell except for the occasional hook-up.

Her cheeks redden to a deeper shade beyond whatever makeup still clings to her beautiful face. “I would never,” she says. “Now that you’ve brought it up.”

“I don’t make it a habit. And as far as my sex life, let’s just say I’m disciplined in that area.”

“Disciplined, huh?” She snorts and reaches for her glass, nearly knocking it over in the process.

“Easy,” I murmur in a low growl.

“Easy. Now that sounds more like it. Disciplined doesn’t sound like fun.” She runs a finger over the rim of her glass in a seductive swirl. “I think there’s a part of you that’s...wild.”

My jaw tightens. Lennox has a way of cutting through me, of seeing things I’d rather keep hidden. From everyone. But not her.

“Depends on who I’m with,” I say, playing with fire.

I’m dying for her to take the bait, fall off the edge with me to a place neither of us should go.

“So, tell me, on your wedding night, when you’re with my sister...” she drawls cautiously. “She’s...well...not exactly...”

“She’s a virgin,” I deadpan. “Or she better be because that’s what I was promised.”

Lennox sits back. “And why is that important?”

I think about that and on an exhale say, “Stupid tradition, I know. It’s a symbol of power. To take your enemy’s daughter’s most precious gift. One she can only give once and to one man.”

A visible chill runs through Lennox. “Sounds primitive.”

“I agree.” I clink her glass. “But you were there. This arrangement was thrust upon me. See, it’s not only Neve who has no choice. Neither do I.”

“There’s only an upside for you.” She grabs the menu and hides her face behind the tall folded card.

I push it down to keep her attention on me. “There is no upside to marrying someone I don’t want. Virgin or not. If I had my way, I’d choose a woman with experience. Someone who will be an active participant in my bed and give me what I need.”

Lennox shoves a finger in my face. “Don’t you dare hurt my sister.”

I laugh and grip her hand. “Always protecting her.”

“Someone has to. Maybe I should prepare her.” Her words are laced with edgy mischief. “You know, big sister duties and all.”

My cock thickens in my pants, and I shift to lessen the pressure. “What exactly are you suggesting?”

She studies me like I’m some puzzle she’s determined to solve. “What’s your thing, Shane? In the bedroom, I mean. Are you...gentle? Rough? Do you like to take control?”

Heat surges through me. I thread my fingers with hers and squeeze to keep my composure. “Lennox, you’re drunk.”

“I’m tipsy,” she corrects, looking at our hands. “Not the same thing. You suggested these drinks. Deal with it. Now answer the question.”

I sigh and release her hand. Running one of mine through my hair, I say, “That’s not a conversation I’m having with you.”

I’d much rather show her. Make it a fucked-up justification to strip her down, show her the man I am in bed. And hope that she drives her sister to some bus station with what’s left of her cash. Tell Neve to leave town and never come back.

Christ, that’s not a bad idea... But then we’ll never get that armory location.

“Shane.” Lennox pouts, leaning back. “My sister deserves to know what she’s getting into.”

“She deserves it? Or you?” My pulse races at her boldness and the lines we’re daring to cross.

“Both,” she whispers a sound that if I were standing, it would bring me to my knees.

“Let’s just say there are things I want, things I need in bed that aren’t meant for a young, innocent wife like Neve.”

Lennox’s pupils blow wide, a sign of her arousal. Swallowing hard, she leans forward again, her voice softer now. “So, then what? Are you going to give my sister an initiation to sex that she’s not prepared for? Or are you going to ignore that part of yourself? Live your life unfulfilled?”

For a moment, I can’t breathe. Her question hits me like a punch to the gut. I give her the only answer I can come up with. “I’ll manage.”

It might sound like I’m tough, that I’ll tough it out, but I’m gutted with loss and even jealousy. I’m doomed to a life with a wife who, for all I know, will hate sex and will never satisfy me. Yet, Lennox is a walking bombshell who is going to rock the next man’s world off its axis.

Fuuuuck .

This temptation to sin with her nearly undoes me, but she breaks eye contact to drain the last of her drink. I watch her throat work, picturing those corded muscles swallowing ropes of my hot cum.

“Okay, no more heavy stuff,” I say to put an end to this conversation even though I’m hard as steel. “What looks good on the menu?”

“Honestly, I can’t eat.” She flicks it aside. “I’m still full from that lunch you bought me.”

Food won’t satisfy me either, so I signal for the check. “Then let’s get out of here,” I say, my cock aching to the point of pain.

Dina brings a bill that I don’t look at. I reach into my wallet and just drop two hundreds on the table.

Lennox stumbles slightly as she stands, and my arm winds around her waist in an instant. Her lazy boozy body slumps toward me, her weight, heat, and soft floral perfume take every ounce of my restraint to keep my thoughts in check.

And my dick in my pants.

I have a horrific suspicion one of those is going to lose tonight.

We take a short walk back to the hotel and trek across the grand lobby. Lennox stays quiet, smoldering really. The drunken sway in her step is the sexiest damn thing I’ve ever seen.

We share the elevator with a group of people, and when we reach Villa Level One, I step through the hallway with confidence and open the door to the place I used to call home for a few years while I worked here.

As I guide Lennox inside, I note how the villa looks exactly the same. They’ve been impeccably maintained and the carpet still smells fresh from the factory.

“Wow,” Lennox gasps, spinning around to take in the luxurious space. “This is...way nicer than I expected, Shane. I don’t need such luxury and so much space.”

“I told you the other night, you deserve nice things, Lennox,” I say and activate the lights as well as the shades to the wall of windows on the far end.

“God, that view.” She saunters that way, her juicy ass in a tight skirt jiggling, teasing me.

That view in-fucking-deed.

Lennox focuses on the lights and sparkle of Manhattan for a moment before turning back to me. Leaning against the glass, she clears her throat, her smile faltering. “Do you mean that? That I deserve nice things?”

“Of course, I mean it.”

Her longing stare does something that nearly stops my heart.

“Prove it,” she whispers and reaches behind her.

Before I register her intention, she unzips her skirt, and it drops to the floor. Next, her long nails pop the snaps that kept her silk blouse closed.

I freeze, my heart beating out of my chest. Lennox is standing there in a lace bra, a picture I’ve only imagined in my dreams. The swells of her breasts pour out of the top.

And her panty is a thong that flosses her cunt and sits on her hips in a picture of erotic beauty that has my cock once again hard as steel.

For a moment, I’m enraged that she might have put these sexy intimates on this morning to greet her fiancé from his business trip. And if that moron chose some other day to tongue his side piece on the street, Rafael Marchant would be getting this show.

Now I am.

“Lennox,” I say in a voice raw with lust. “What are you doing?”

“I have a secret,” she whispers, her skin glowing in the lamplight .

Oh fuck.

I’m in charge of intel for Quinlan Empire and we’re about to marry into a family we never trusted, so I consider interrogating Lennox my duty.

She just challenged me. And I don’t back down. Ever.

She sits on the sofa and crooks her finger for me to come hither. Everything tense, I take a deep, steadying breath and sit next to her.

“Now, tell me your secret.” I lean back.

Instead of answering, Lennox swings one thick thigh across my lap and straddles me, landing right on my hard dick.

Jesus Christ.

Not shy, she puts her arms around my neck and lets her weight settle on the bulge in my pants. “Oh God, Shane... That feels good.”

No fucking shit...

I wrap my hands around her waist and press her further down. “What are you doing to me, Lennox?”

“What does it look like?” Her voice shockingly changes into someone I don’t recognize.

And I burn even hotter for her.

“You can’t sit on my lap half naked thrusting your tits at me,” I say boldly, nearly seeing stars from the long length of my cock nestled into the notch of her pussy.

“Why? You’re not in love with Neve,” she scoffs with a bitterness I don’t like on her. She twists the front clasp of her bra and it pops open. Lennox’s full swollen breasts fall with a weighted seductive sigh from the lace.

My God. This isn’t happening.

“Look at me.” I pull her chin forward. “You’re playing with fire, Lennox. I’m not a man to be trifled with like this.”

“Or what?” she purrs and starts gyrating against me. “I saw you first. I kissed you first. You’ve been engaged to her for two months. Where is she? I’m right here.”

“You are here, aren’t you, baby,” I whisper and look down at her leg. “Are you wearing the jewelry I gave you?”

It takes a moment before she remembers. With a faint smile, she taps her ankle. “Since the day you put it on me.”

“Good girl,” I growl.

“You think I’m a good girl?” Her voice goes dark.

“Actually, you’re a very bad girl.” Who needs to be spanked. “You’re topless and grinding on your sister’s fiancé’s cock. That’s hardly the definition of a good girl.”