Page 75 of A Devious Arrangement

The hair dryer clicks off. “There’s an Order ceremony tomorrow. I think that’ll be the best time to sneak you back into the Vault.”

That snaps through my daze, bringing me to the present. “Tomorrow?”

I should be happy. Ecstatic even. I’m about to get the tiara and free me of all of this, but there’s a sinking sensation pulling me down. Tomorrow.

“I…I’ll get my brother’s stuff. After that, we’ll be even, right?”

I want him to say no. Tell me some other outlandish plan, but his gaze is hard on me. There’s an edge to it. He looks away. “Once you get the Kokoshnik Tiara, we’ll be even.”

Does that make this our last night?

Bash loosens, the muscles that were tense releasing as he gives me a playful smile. “You know you’ll be miserable without me.”

I hate that he’s right.

Chapter 34

Bash

Stasia’seven breaths fan across my chest as she sleeps. It’s 3:00 a.m., and I’ve been holding her for hours, unable to look away. I felt it tonight, the moment she gave in to me. The sweetness of feeling like I finally caught her. So her mentioning our deal being over felt like a hot iron to the gut.

Thank God I already had Damon move the tiara because there’s no fucking way she’s escaping me. I just need a little more time. If there was any doubt she’s the one for me, it was eradicated tonight as I melted into her. There’s no getting away from me now. I don’t care if I have to lock her up and chain her.

It must be in my blood because I don’t feel bad about that idea at all.

Her low hum vibrates against me as she snuggles into my chest. She’s more honest in her sleep, trying to get closer to me. I stroke her hair back, careful not to wake her. Her lids twitch, and there’s a soft curve to her lips. My teeth clench together. She better be dreaming about me.

I tamp down the irrational feeling of being jealous of a fucking dream. I shift, and her nails dig into my chest. My name whispers on her lips as she holds me to her.

Satisfaction courses through my veins, and I kiss her temple. If she wasn’t so exhausted, I’d wake her and fuck her all over again.

I will do whatever it takes to keep Anastasia by my side. Once Xander gets me the information on her family, I’ll be able to help her more than just getting this stupid fucking tiara. I can free her from all this bullshit that’s holding her down.

Then, I’ll call her on her bullshit and make her see that she’s in love with me. We’re fucking made for each other. Destined. From the moment I got close to her, it’s been like fate has been an invisible string between us, pulling us closer. Obsession doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about her.

She’s my every thought, and now that I have her where I want her, she’s never getting away. I meant it when I said she’s my addiction, one I never plan on quitting.

If my girl’s too stubborn to admit it, I’ll just have to fuck some sense into her.

Chapter 35

Bash

Anastasia’s stunning tonight,draped in a midnight-blue gown that makes her eyes stand out. It clings to her body, flowing to the floor. Goose bumps rise along her bare back as I graze my fingers down her spine, stopping at the small of her back. I fucking love this dress.

I twirl her around the dance floor, tugging her closer than necessary as we move. Tonight’s ball is just another one in a million I’ve attended, but everything’s different with her here. My intriguing little minx has me caught up in her. She thinks all of this is a pretense, a show we’re putting on for the society to believe we’re a couple. There’s nothing fake about this. She’ll be in my arms like this for the rest of her life. It infuriates me that even this close to me, she won’t look at me. I can’t stand it. I swoop her low, head nearly grazing the floor, and my blood hums in my veins when she gasps, gaze piercing mine. She’s wild, glaring at me, and it has me coming alive.

Before she can say anything, I’ve already moved us into a tight turn, stealing her breath. When we even out, I lean in, brushing my lips against her neck, basking in the way her body responds. I’m learning every time I touch her, memorizing each one of her reactions.

That’s how I know she’s lying when she hisses, “Get off of me.”

“No.” I bite the corner of my lip as I take in her flushed cheeks and don’t stop myself from kissing her. She stiffens in my arms, but I lead her into the dance, the years of practice making it instinctive to us both.

“Sebastian Everette. That’s enough.” Her fist pounds into my chest.

“Oh, full name.” I lean in closer, reveling in how she doesn’t pull away. No matter what she says, she’s as captivated as I am. The world around us disappears whenever I’m close to her.

“We’re in public.” Her words are breathy. “We can’t do this.” Her denial is empty.

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