Page 51 of Scavenger's Oath

She inhales deeply, as if the air is different outside the cell. Her body shifts, spine straightening.

Those legs look longer out here, even in that damn sweater. Let’s be honest,especiallyin it.

She looks lighter. Free.

And I can’t tear my eyes away.I was supposed to scare her. Not… stare.

But she’s radiant.

I watch her walk to the windows, stretching her arms over her head. The hoodie lifts with her movement, enough to tease the curve of her ass. Plump, round, soft… made to be touched.

My tongue darts out to lick my lips before Irealise it.

God help me. What the fuck am I doing?

Staying by the cell door, I lean back against the wall, arms crossed.

She glances back at me, as if suddenly remembering I'm still in the room, a flush climbing up her cheeks. I just raise an eyebrow.

Ivy keeps moving, walking slowly around the holding room like she's testing the floor.

Her hands run along the edge of one of the old desks, fingers tracing the dust. She's cautious, but not scared.

Fuck. I think she’s starting to trust us.

It's stupid how much that thought does to me.

Every time she shifts, I catch flashes of skin. Her inner thighs, smooth long legs, her slender neck behind her hair. Even the dip of her waist when she stretches calls to me, looking like the perfect grip for my hands.

She shouldn't be so beautiful. Not in this world. Not after whatever hell she's had to survive these past six years.

But she is. And I can't stop fucking watching her.

“Is this how it works?” she asks, voice carrying a hint of amusement. “You let me out and just... stare at me?”

Shit. Caught.

Scoffing, I push off the wall and step into the room with her. “I'm just making sure you don't bolt. Don't flatter yourself.”

The corner of her mouth twitches, suppressing a smile, as if she knows I'm lying.

“You know,” I say, circling her, deliberately putting her back on edge, “you've caused more drama in this place than anyone we've ever taken in.”

Not that we've ever taken anyone in, but she doesn't need to know that.

Ivy levels me with a glare. “I didn't exactly ask to be takenin.”

“Didn't fight that hard either.”

A flicker of heat flashes across her eyes, brow furrowing faintly.

A little fire? She's not as meek as I thought. Interesting…

I do love brats. That’s why playing with Myles has entertained me for so many years.

She walks back to the edge of the desk and leans against it, crossing her long legs at the ankles.

There's a shift in her demeanour, as if she's aware of what her body is doing to me. Aware ofmyawareness.