Page 33 of Corrupt Me

Staring at my laces, I think he means to use them to free myself. But how, when my hands and ankles are bound? He won’t help me, so I am on my own here. Bending down, I pluck the lace ties with my mouth and wrap them around the zip tie. Then I rub them together, trying to cut them free. It takes some time, but I do the same with my wrists once my legs are free.

He hasn’t moved from his spot, but that awed look on his face sends a spark of delight through me. Led by pure instinct, I sashay over to him, so damn proud of myself that I might burst any moment.

“I basically exceeded all your expectations.”

“You must be bloody keen to go on that date.”

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were jealous.”

His jaw clenches as he stares at me. Usually, he would have denied it. He doesn’t, and my mouth parts on a gasp.

“Close that mouth, Bailey.”

“Or what?” This guy has taken everything in me apart and reassembled the scattered pieces so that I am put together differently now.

His thumb rubs along my bottom lip, and my breath hitches. My heart pounds a merciless rhythm, threatening to explode. Pushing it inside my mouth, I poke my tongue out, sucking on it. His pupils dilate, and a vein throbs in his neck as he swallows hard. I affect him—the rush of endorphins is so potent it exhilarates me.

What is happening right now? And can it never end?

His eyes flit to mine. “Kitten, you’re playing with a panther…”

With that, he rips his thumb away, leaving me empty and aching for more.

On shaky legs, I go upstairs and take a lukewarm shower, but I still feel the warmth of his presence, his body rippling with contained desire. Butterflies twitch along my ribcage as I remember sucking his thumb.

I take a seat at my desk and open my laptop. On the other screens, various cameras run an identification program and a live map.

My phone rings, and I almost fall off my seat when I see who it is. I blink, thinking I must be imagining things, but my father’s name lights up my phone.

I press accept, and he says, “What took you so long?”

I remain silent, not dignifying his question with an answer. I thought we had an unspoken agreement to stop pretending unless the Family has its gatherings. We’ll act civil, but in private, there’s no need.

“Dinner, Monday at the house.”

“I’ll be there.”

I hang up. Inhaling deeply, I remind myself that I am not the girl desperate for their scraps. I’ll listen to what they have to say, and then I’m gone.

A knock at my door pulls me from my thoughts, and Mia walks inside, followed by Celine and Abigail. It’s almost time for my date.

“You look like you could pass out at any moment,” Abi says.

“Wouldn’t be the first time today.”

“What?” Celine shrieks.

“What did Hunter do?” Mia asks, her face paling.

“He was getting me ready.”

“I’ll talk to him. You’re not ready for those lessons,” Celine says.

“No. I’m fine. It has to be like this.” I like that he challenges me to be better and learn faster.

“Are you sure?” Abi asks, and I nod, one hundred percent sure.

I pick a pair of jeans and a shirt with puffed shoulders, and we move to the Lady Boss Lair. I comb my hair, doing the minimum.

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