Page 7 of Corrupted Bride

I really, really like it.

He reaches out and touches my chin, tilting my face up. I stare at him, mouth open. He lifts my glass to my lips. I whimper as he pours. I swallow, accidentally drinking down the gum with it.

“When you go home, do you close your eyes and think about me, Mari? Do you spread your legs and slip your fingers over the front of that poor, lonely, pretty underwear of yours?”

“No.” Another lie. The biggest lie of all.

He tips the drink to my mouth again. Another long sip. “That’s a yes if I’ve ever heard one.” He puts the glass down on the table, finishes off his measure, and faces me again. “Show me the rest.”

Goddamn it. My fingers react without thinking. Why am I doing what this guy says? I want to disobey. I want to cause him trouble, make him fight, make him struggle. That’s more fun, isn’t it?

Instead, I flip the buttons free until my blouse is wide open.

“Is that what you wanted?” I ask, breathless and so excited I’m seeing spots on the edge of my vision.

“Almost. The rest now.” He casually opens his own shirt. His chest is muscular and defined. His abs are rippling and perfect. Of course it’s not enough that he’s model-sexy; he’s got to have a toned body, too.

I undress. I strip down to my bra and panties while he watches. His gaze never wavers. He licks his lips like he’s starving. I’ve never felt so wanted in my life and it’s what keeps me going, that a man like this, who could probably have any woman in this entire city, clearly wants me above anyone else, it’s crazy and shocking and so, so good.

“That’s a good girl,” he praises when I’m done. I cross my arms over my chest, hugging myself, feeling exposed and not sure what to do, but he comes to me, shirt hanging open. He takes my wrist and gently places it on his chest.

His heart’s beating fast.

Oh wow. He’s as into this as I am.

“I’ve never… you know…”

“Don’t tell me this is your first time?” There’s some amusement in his voice.

“No! No, that’s not what I meant. I’ve never done anything like this with a guest before.”

“That’s good to know. It means I’m special.”

“Or I really like the gum you bring me.”

“I don’t think it’s the gum, Mari.” He tugs my wrist, pulling me toward him, wrapping my arm around his back, his other hand coming up into my hair. He grips the base of my bun and holds on. “I think you came here because you’ve been picturing the way I’d feel deep between your legs and now you’re desperate to find out.”

Oh shit.

His mouth comes down and finds mine. I part my lips, but the kiss is soft at first. I expected blistering hunger, but it’s slow and gentle, an exploration. His stubble tickles and his lips are full and firm, his tongue probing. Mint mixes with alcohol and peaty whisky. His grip on my hair tightens, the kiss deepening, and there’s the hunger as he breathes in through his nose and lets out a soft groan of desire.

I whimper in response, right into his mouth, losing myself in the moment.

The kiss heats until it burns. I press myself to his body. He’s big, twice my size, easily drowning me with his muscular arms, and I love it.

This man’s trouble. Whatever he’s doing here, it’s not good.

Normal, nice men don’t spend the night in the penthouse suite of a cartel-owned establishment once a week for months.

And if I were smart, I’d push away, throw my clothes on, and run out of here.

But I’ve done the right thing. I’ve done it over and over again in penance, trying to make up for past mistakes, and I’m so close to getting away. Only a few more weeks, and tonight won’t matter anymore.

I deserve a pleasant memory to keep me warm on the hard nights ahead.

Bass pulls away, breathing deep. “Now’s your chance to turn back,” he murmurs like the words are physically painful. “Because if you don’t go now, I’m going to strip you, spread you, lick and fuck you. I’m not in the mood for nice tonight, Mari.”

I step away from him. He looks disappointed for an instant, at least until I reach back and unhook my bra.