I smiled at him without even realizing I had let it slip out, the words catching me slightly off guard. I had never really trusted anyone before, and admitting it, even to myself, was not easy.“I guess I do,” I whispered softly, my eyes locking onto his.A slow, knowing smile spread across Killian’s lips, and it made me blush slightly. There was something about the way he looked at me that made me feel exposed, seen, yet completely safe. His gaze lingered, filled with a mix of desire and pride, and I couldn’t look away.Without missing a beat, he lifted the spoon back to his mouth after it had lingered in mine, tasting the sweetness that had mixed with my lips. Then he scooped up another portion of ice cream and brought it to me, his fingers brushing mine as our hands met. The contact sent a shiver straight through me, and I realized how intimate these small moments felt with him.Killian leaned closer, his chest pressing lightly against my back, and his hand slid around my waist, pu
The dress peeled off my back, leaving me bare to him. I froze for a moment, hearing nothing from Killian. My pulse raced, uncertainty mixing with desire, and I turned around to see what held him silent.He was standing back, eyes wide with awe, the desire in his gaze almost burning through me. Then his expression shifted, a shadow of anger crossing his face.“Did I say that you could turn yourself around?” His voice was low, controlled, yet carried so many unspoken intentions that my stomach tightened.I shook my head slowly, concern etched on my face. “Are you really angry?”“Use your words,” he commanded again, his tone sharper now, a mixture of assertion and need.“No, you didn’t,” I whispered, unsure of what he wanted from me.“You’re right,” Killian said, voice low, deliberate, and with a hint of amusement. His hands were like iron as he reached for me. With effortless strength, he flipped me onto my stomach, the sudden motion making me gasp audibly, my chest pressing into the so
I did not let her speak before I continued. My hands wrapped around hers, pulling them gently into mine, and I searched her eyes with mine. Every flicker of emotion she tried to hide, every tiny hesitation, I caught it.“But this time I need complete honesty from you, Amara,” I said, my voice low but firm. “I need you to tell me the truth. All of it. Every time. No exceptions.”Her lips parted slightly, but she said nothing, only gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.“Use your words,” I pressed, the firmness in my tone making her jump slightly.“I will,” she whispered, her voice soft, hesitant, almost shy.“Good girl,” I said, my lips brushing hers immediately after, pulling her body close. She responded without hesitation, her mouth opening to mine, her warmth pressing against me. I could not fault her. Her lips were incredible. The way she used them, teasing and desperate at once, made my body tighten with need. I wanted to explore her lips further, claim them fully, and taste eve
A small smirk curved her lips as I closed the distance, my heart doing a stupid, excited staccato in my chest. My own mouth went dry and then parted, words trapped like birds that could not find the sky.“All three? You took on all three?” I managed to gabble, pointing toward the three hulking men now groaning on the floor.Amara sat as if nothing had happened. Calm, poised, almost bored. Every line of her posture told a story of skill and quiet confidence. She lifted her chin and smiled like a blade slipping out of a velvet sheath. Her voice flowed when she spoke, a melody that could soothe or slice depending on how she meant it. Deadly and soft at once.“Mr Medici, I have been in this business a very long time. You do not think a woman like me would not learn how to defend herself?” Her words wrapped around me and held me in place.You are amazing, I said without meaning to. The confession left my lips before my brain could stop it.For a second her smugness cracked, replaced by an
“Aww, you boys are cute. You think you can intimidate me?” Her laugh rang out, stronger now. She was nothing like the girl I had come to know. Completely different. Arrogant, yes, but in a sexy, confident way. She demanded attention instead of shying away from it. “Answer the question.” My voice rose slightly, and her eyes rolled toward me. I was leaning against a desk in the dark corner, arms crossed, radiating a seriousness she had never seen before. Her eyes widened slightly, then locked onto mine, her smirk deepening. Sexy. Stop it, Killian. “I’m surprised it took you boys so long to figure it out. I mean, I was absent from this house for a while, same time as the attacks.” Her confidence grew with every word. Even tied to a chair, she held the upper hand, using it to toy with three men surrounding her. “Who are you working for?” Cosimo stepped closer, arms crossed like mine. Her head rolled toward him, smirk still prominent. “And what makes you think I work for anyone?”
Taking his hand in mine, he shook it firmly, one hand in mine and the other resting on top, holding the shake with purpose. “You got a last name with that?” he asked, letting go and stepping back slightly. “King.” His face shifted through a series of emotions—bewilderment, confusion, then sudden shock and realization. I had seen that look many times, always when I revealed my last name. Many knew it, and those who didn’t learned quickly. “King? You’ve never told me that before. Why does that sound familiar?” Killian’s hand went to his lightly stubbled chin, rubbing it as his eyes narrowed in thought. Andreas stepped back another pace, creating distance between us. I was used to it. “Killian, we need to talk. Now,” Andreas said, leading him toward a door I assumed led to the next room. I worried about leaving Andreas alone with him. Clearly he knew something, and I didn’t want it to come out. Killian followed out, and I was left in silence with Cosimo and Antonio. I didn’t know