Page 87 of Wicked Temptations

I leaned in close, voice dropping to a growl only he could hear. “Do what you’re told, or I will throw you over my shoulder and carry you out there in front of everyone. And you know I’ll do it.”

His breath caught, and a dark, hungry need flickered in his eyes.

“Understood, Jude?”

“Yes, Ash.”

I tried not to smirk too hard or let those two little words go to my always-eager dick.

“Once your face is done, you do exactly what Riley says. No arguments. No questions.”

“And if I don’t?”

I smiled, watching his throat work as he swallowed.

“Then I come back here and make good on my threat.”

“Fine.” His voice had gone rough. “I’ll behave.”

“Good boy.”

Those two little words came so naturally that I couldn’t have stopped them even if I’d tried.

Jude’s pupils dilated. His lips parted, and for one glorious second, I watched him forget how to breathe.

Fuck.That reaction did things to me. Made heat pool low in my gut, made my fingers ache to grab him by the throat right here in front of everyone.

His gaze dropped to my mouth, then snapped away. Red crept up his neck beneath the collar of his shirt.

I stepped back before I did something stupid.

“Paint. Now.”

He sank into the chair without another word.

I straightened and headed for the door.

Time to go to work.

Chapter 21

Jude

IlookedbetweenRileyand the thing in her hand, and then down at the chair between us.

“What the fuck is that?”

Seriously. What theactual fuck?

Chapter 22

Ash

Thezoneswallowedmewhole the moment I stepped through the curtain. Red lights cut through manufactured fog, pulsing to the bass-heavy track that rattled my ribs. Guest chatter filled the gaps between sound cues.

I stalked through the maze, letting the performance take over. Solo work always felt different. No Jude to chase, no choreography to follow or deviate from. Just me and the crowd and whatever chaos I could create.

A group of young women rounded the corner, phones already out. They saw me, and one of them squealed.