Page 86 of My Sweet Poison
She pivoted to her right.
I slammed my left palm against the wall, just at her shoulder, caging her in.
Her head whipped forward. “You tricked me.”
I leaned my hips into hers. “I never once said I would play fair, babygirl. I play to win. And you are the prize I’m after.”
She shoved against my chest, but I wouldn’t budge.
“I’m nobody’s whore and I won’t abandon my friend. Especially not for a soulless monster who can’t feel.”
Christ, her words sent a sharp twist of pain right through the center of my chest. Dangerously close to a real emotion—the kind I hadn’t allowed since I was a boy on a gravel drive, watching my parents’ taillights disappear toward yet another European holiday that didn’t include me.
I ruthlessly crushed the feeling. Sentiment was a luxury I’d never been able to afford.
I brushed her cheek with the pads of my fingers. “Don’t be silly, little bird. The definition of a whore is someone who misuses their talents or sacrifices their self-respect for nominalfinancial gain. I have every intention of making sure you use all your talents to the greatest effect. And the financial gain will be significant considering your new status.”
She stiffened. “What does that mean?”
“It means you will earn absolutely everything you get.” I braced for her reaction.
Then her body unexpectedly relaxed.
She tilted her head to the side. “No.” She jabbed the center of my chest with her finger. “I’m on to you. You’re only saying that to get a rise out of me. To distract me. You want me to react. You want me to throw a punch, or kick and scream so you have an excuse to subdue me. And then what? One thing leads to another and you’re between my legs and I’ve forgotten all about my friend and thoughts of leaving?”
I kissed the top of her shoulder and skimmed my lips over her collarbone, then kissed the top of her breast, just above the thin blanket she had wrapped around herself. “Why mess with perfection? The plan has worked before.”
“Not this time. I’m getting my clothes and I’m leaving. I’m heading straight to the authorities and I’m letting them know Jameson is alive. If they won’t listen to me, then I’ll contact the federal authorities. At some point, I’ll reach someone that bastard hasn’t bribed!”
I looked down at her. “You will not bend on this?”
“No.”
“There is nothing I can say that will convince you that this is too dangerous and to back off and let me handle it?”
Her lips twisted into a smirk as she lifted one eyebrow. “What do you think?”
“Not even if I promise to feast on your pretty pussy until you are delirious with pleasure and can’t remember your own name?”
“No!”
“Stubborn little bird.” I shook my head.
“Arrogant douchebag,” she fired back.
I inhaled a deep breath and let it out slowly. Nodded. “Well, you can’t say I didn’t try.”
Before she could react, I covered her mouth and nose with my hand, cutting off her oxygen.
CHAPTER 42
MADISON
Ipushed against his wet chest.
Waves of water smacked against the marble tiles around the tub as we struggled.
“You bastard! You knew! You knew he wasn’t dead! You knew I didn’t kill him, and you had me arrested anyway!”
