Page 83 of Tattletale

She nods, wordlessly.

“Then ‘I’m sorry’ are not the magic words. I don’t care about apologies, Cricket. That’s not what I need to hear.”

She shifts her eyes to the side. “You want me to beg, don’t you? Grovel on my knees?”

I grab her jaw between my thumb and forefinger, forcing her to look at me. “No.My girl doesn’t beg for anything. And you don’t drop to your knees for any reason other than when you want to suck me dry.”

She swallows hard. “Then what do you want?”

“What I want?” I force out a bitter breath. “You’ve been a piece of work over the past few weeks, you know that?”

“I was hurt that you ran to Vesper—”

“And I apologized,” I snap back. “But I stand by protecting your life. Do you understand that?”

“Yes.”

“It was painful thinking I lost you.” My hand moves down from her jaw to her neck. Backing her against the building wall, I wrap my hand gently around her throat. “But it was torture seeing you with him.”

“If you can’t tell the difference between what’s real and what’s a job, that’s your own insecurity, Lance. Grow up.”

I tighten my grip, and she gasps. “You know, there’s a little part of me that just wants to fuck that bratty attitude right out of you. Except I’d do it, and you’d just leave me again, wouldn’t you?” With my free hand, I trace the deep V of her chest line, where the sleek red fabric outlines her breasts. “I fucking hate this dress, by the way.”

She isn’t tense, even with my hand around her throat. She’s completely relaxed because we both know the truth. I’d diebefore I hurt this woman. But I do like the little flare of fire in her eyes. The way her breath goes ragged, and her lips fall apart just slightly as I hover over her.

“Why do you hate it?” she asks.

“I hate this dress because it’s beautiful…and you didn’t wear it for me.”

She hangs her head, like she’s ashamed, but lifts her eyes so her bright green gems are peeking through her full lashes. “If you hate it so much, then take it off.”

The strongest desire rips through me at her suggestion. It’s been too long since I’ve had what’s mine. I look up and down the alley one more time. “Does Gabriel know where you are?”

She shakes her head. “I slipped out. I only have a few minutes before I have to get back.”

I release her neck and graze the shell of her ear with my lips before placing a sweet kiss on the hollow of her throat. “You want me? Right here?”

“Yes,” she breathes out.

I reach around to find the clasp of her dress. I pinch the fabric between two fingers and feel the dress relax. After pulling down the zipper in one fluid motion, her dress slips right down to her feet, leaving her completely naked and exposed under the moonlight.

I take my time studying the full curve of her bare tits, and the outline of every muscle from her abdomen to her strong thighs. “We’re not doing this your way anymore. You’re hurting us both, C.”

She nods. “I’m sorry—”

“Again, I don’t want your apologies. Youknowwhat I want to hear,” I whisper. “But only if you meant it.”

Her eyes are dry, but she sniffles. Cricket’s not devoid of emotion. She’s just spent ten years being stronger than sheshould have to. I’m here to help carry the load.I’ve been here the whole time.She just needs to lean on me.

After a quiet beat, she finally understands. “I love you,” she murmurs.

I nod. “There it is. Say it again.”

“I love you, Lance. I want you.”

I cup both of her breasts and squeeze tightly. Warm and soft, they fill my palms like they were designed for me. A perfect fit. Bending over, I draw her right nipple into my mouth, teasing it with my teeth. I tug until she’s at the brink of pain. Her back arches, and she bites her bottom lip. I switch nipples, dolling out the same torturous pleasure.

“It feels so good, Lance. Please touch me.” Spinning around, Cricket puts her hands against the brick wall and widens her legs. She bends over, and throws her hips back, trying to push her pussy into my palm. But as quickly as she spun around, I grip her hips and turn her right back.

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