Page 58 of Shades of Loyalty
I study his face, seeing the flicker of doubt in his expression. This isn’t just about Julian—this is about Daniel questioning himself, his instincts, his judgment. The worst part is that he’s starting to believe Julian. Andthat’s theworstthing he could do right now, after what happened earlier.
“Stop that,” I whisper as I take his face into my hands. He stares at me with tired eyes.
“Stop what?”
“Stop talking like you’re not good enough. Please.”
He keeps staring at my lips. “Isn’t it true? I mean… I don’t even know how to start. The next shipment is coming soon, and I have zero idea how to make sure everything will go smoothly.”
“Daniel… You don’t have to have all the answers right now. Just take it one step at a time. The shipment is in a week, isn’t it?”
“But that’sexactlythe thing about being the boss here, pretty. One step at a time doesn’t work around here. As the boss, I always have to be one step ahead.”
This time, it’s me who reaches for his hand again without thinking, my fingers brushing over his.
“You don’t have to have all the answers right now though, I promise,” I murmur. “You’ll figure it out. And the shipment will go smoothly, you’ll see. If you need help with the plan, you can ask … What’s his name again? Yuri?” After Daniel nods, I continue.
“I’m sure he’ll help, and I’d gladly join you. Talking to his wife was fun last time… I’d really like to meet her again.”
I surprise myself. The fact that I still remember their names surprises me. Usually, I always forget names easily.
Daniel doesn’t respond immediately. Instead, he turns his palm upward, catching my hand fully in his. His grip is warm, steady, grounding. “Are you sure? You’d join us again, baby?”
Baby? We are on a new stage now, huh?
I nod, offering him a smile as I feel my cheeks heating up. “Yes, I will.”
He holds my gaze for a long moment, his expression unreadable. His fingers tighten around mine as a smirk tugs at the corner of his lips. “You know how to calm me down, don’t you?”
I let out a soft laugh, rolling my eyes. “Someone has to keep you from losing your mind over here, after all.”
His smirk deepens, but the intensity in his eyes shifts. The frustration from earlier is still visible, but now, something else simmers beneath it.
It’s darker. Hungrier. Thirsting for something.
I suck in a breath as I feel his hands settle on my hips, gently pushing me back onto his bed. Immediately, I decide to listen, slowly crawling onto the bed and lying down on my back.
My heart pounds in anticipation as he gets on top of me, his curls landing on either side of my face. I am completely wrapped up in his existence, his handsome face and his scent making me go insane.
“Daniel—"
“Shh,” he murmurs, his hand tracing slow, teasing circles against my skin beneath my shirt. I sigh, relaxing against his touch.
“You like it, hm?” he whispers against my lips. I nod slowly, my lips touching his a few times on purpose.
I hesitate for a moment, unsure if I should say his name, or not. I decide not to.
“Yes, master…” I murmur, before he finally leans down to kiss me. I immediately return the kiss, clinging onto him. I wrap my legs around his waist, slowly grinding against him as I did before. It’s only been an hour since we last made out, but I can’t get enough of this. Of him.
He’s like a drug to me.
A moan slips free from my lips as he starts grinding back to me, pushing me into his mattress.
“Please…,” I beg.
“Please, what, baby?”, he smirks back at me.
Fuck, he looks way too sexy right now.
