Page 24 of While He Breathes

The hand holding the knife trembles violently, and before I can stop myself, I draw it away because, whether I want to admit it or not, I’m scared I’ll slip.

“That would be too easy a death for you,” I growl.

He chuckles. “I’m sure that’s it.”

“It is!”

“Mm-hmm. Sure, it is.”

Before I can catch myself, my palm strikes across his cheek, and he freezes. His fingers bite into the soft flesh at my hips, and my breath stalls in my throat.

Okay, maybe pushing a man who got his name hunting down the worst of the worst isn’t such a good idea, no matter how confident I am that he won’t hurt me.

Before I can blink, Orion rolls us until his body presses mine into the mattress, reminding me that the man was going to let me kill him without fighting back at all. I don’t know if that proves he’s remorseful for the pain he’s caused me, or if he lost his mind while I was away.

I shove against his chest, but that just gives him the opportunity to wrap both wrists up in one of his hands and press them into the pillow above our heads.

“Did that make you feel better, Ember?” he murmurs as he drags his nose along my jaw. “Did hitting me take some of that anger away?”

“No,” I snap. “Now get the fuck off me.”

“I don’t think I will.” He chuckles.

Orion moves so slowly that I barely notice him pry the knife from my fingers, and my breath stutters in my chest.

Why didn’t I hold on to it?

Why the fuck did I let him take the only protection I have from the man who tore my life apart?

He repositions himself slightly so his legs are straddling mine, and I get a view of his tattooed chest. His muscles flex ashe tightens his hold on my wrists, and shamefully, I have to bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from moaning.

Where does he get off being so fucking hot when he’s such an asshole?

The tip of the knife trails along my collarbone, and I hold my breath.

He won’t hurt me.

Orion will not kill me.

That much I’m almost certain of, but you can never be completely sure when you’re dealing with a man like him.

“That’s better,” he rumbles. “My placid little thief.”

“Fuck you.”

“Oh, I intend to, Ember. I intend to spend the rest of my life inside your cunt, but first we’re going to have a little chat.”

“I have nothing to say to you,” I snap.

“Mmm, so you’ve said.” The tip of the knife drags along my shoulder until it meets the thin strap of the slip I’m wearing.

One of the things I’ve had to get used to since working for Max is how much he pays me.

When I worked for Lucas, it was barely enough to pay for my apartment and to feed myself, but now I have enough to buy frivolous things like lingerie.

“This is very sexy, Ember,” Orion muses, tightening his hold around my wrists to make sure I can’t move. “Did you wear it for me? Did you know deep down I wouldn’t let you go when I finally had you back in my clutches?”

“Don’t flatter yourself. God, men are infuriating. Because I couldn’t possibly be wearing this just becauseIlike it, andIwant to?”