Page 14 of Captured Obsession

My jaw hardens, aware of what she's insinuating. The best part about somebody like Agata is that she goes under the radar. The men overlook her, and they don’t interfere with her because she has my favor. And in return, she sees and hears more than most.

I nod, silently thanking her for this information, as Andrei clears his throat from the doorway. I turn, noticing Sienna first. She wears a bright-yellow sundress, and I knew the moment I selected it that it would look striking on her. Her hair is pulled up in a high ponytail today, accentuating her long neck.

She's my complete opposite in almost every way. Light to my dark. Soft to my hard. Good to my corrupt.

Her gaze darts away from mine, and it's only then I realize I was staring at her.

Agata assesses me with her sharp gaze, and I don’t like it. “You're free to go, Agata.”

“Let me know if I can be of further assistance,” she says, taking her leave. As she passes Sienna, they greet one another.

And then Sienna's gaze is circling the room once again. I find watching her take everything in gives me a new appreciation for the estate. I don't generally pay much attention to my surroundings. I could live in an empty warehouse the same as I could in a place like this. But it’s astonishing to try to see it all through her eyes.

Floor-to-ceiling shelves stacked with books flank each side of the room. A giant chandelier hangs in the center, with deep green velvet sofas and a wooden coffee table under it.

It's not until she looks in my direction again that I see the way her breath hitches, and I know it has nothing to do with me but the sight behind me,which is specifically why I chose to have breakfast here.

She ignores me and goes straight to the balcony. She closes her eyes and seems to take in the smell of the air. Her blonde hair gently dances around her face in the wind, and I find myself ensnared.

Andrei remains positioned at the balcony’s edge, standing still, his hands clasped respectfully in front of him. Another two guards stand outside the door in the hallway.

I pull out the chair closest to the door, in case for whatever reason she needs to be dragged back into safety. While on duty, I will always put myself in the more dangerous position.

I wait until she takes the seat that I'm holding out for her and then I push the chair in beneath her.

“I’m surprised you know manners,” she quips as she tucks the yellow dress beneath her.

“I’m just selective in when I choose to use them. Don’t push me too far, little doll, and you won’t have to see what I look like without them,” I warn as I circle the table with two-pointed fingers dragging along it. She follows the movement as I take the seat across from her.

And when those intelligent blue eyes meet mine, she asks, “Are you saying you've had manners this whole time?”

I arch an eyebrow as I adjust the cuffs of my black long-sleeve shirt, an action she watches carefully. “Youwould certainly know if I had not, and that bratty little mouth of yours wouldn't get away with so much. I’d certainly find more useful ways to occupy it.”

It's slight, but her body jerks back in the chair, and my jaw hardens. I’m well aware of the effect my words have on her. She might fucking hate me, but her body is certainly curious. And that's bad because discipline has never been one of my virtues.

If anything, I've always wanted what I can't have.

“Eat. Today, as promised, I'll take my pet out for a walk, but only if you keep your end of the deal.”

“I have a name, you know.”

“I'm aware,” I say as I look pointedly at the variety of food in front of us, indicating for her to fix herself a plate.

She sighs and grabs a piece of cantaloupe. I'd much prefer her to have something more substantial to begin with, but at least it’s progress. “Do you eat very little because of the industry you work in?”

Her gaze narrows, but her tone comes out sweet as she says, “If we’re asking personal questions, are you naturally a repellent for women because you've never felt the love of one or because you choose to be an asshole?”

The corners of my lips tilt up. “It’s as if you want me to punish you,” I say, keeping my tone even and trying to hide the approval from it.

She takes a bite of cantaloupe, and I can't help but watch in fascination as the juices touch her lips.

“No, I simply return the favor of how one treats me. I thought you said you knew everything about me, so don't ask questions about my life or my work. Hell, I still don't know what the fuck is actually happening here. It's not like everyone is wearing name badges with their job titles. Who are you even working for? How much longer will I be here?”

I point to the plates piled with food once she's done with the cantaloupe, and she picks at a few grapes. I'm transfixed by her perfectly manicured nails sliding into her mouth. She does it slowly and deliberately, curling her tongue before pursing her lips.

My cock twitches, a deep hunger stirring that has nothing to do with the food in front of me.

Her curiosity around our organization will get her into more trouble than she knows; however, I can give her something. “All you need to know is that I work for a powerful family within the bratva.”