Page 37 of Inferno

I bite my tongue and refrain from telling him I could have killed him with my bare hands.

He’s already seen too much of who I am.

“Good.”

“Now what are we celebrating?” I question, resting my chin on my hand.

“You.”

“Me? Why?”

He leans back, snaking his arm over the chair rest behind my head.

“For being kickass. And for agreeing to have a date with me.” He winks and my stomach does a flip.

“This isn’t a date.” I can’t hide the smile.

Even if the fear is inside me, for once I want to let loose and do something for me.

And I want to have dinner with him and chat.

It’s refreshing to have a normal conversation with someone outside of Vlad’s circle.

“You don’t want champagne?”

“I would love one.” I smile.

“Say it then.”

I roll my eyes and his hand twitches on the table.

“You don’t like eye rolling?” I question.

His deep, rumbling chuckle makes me clench my thighs.

“Instinctive reflex. I wanted to grab you by the neck and kiss you when you did it. Bratty behavior really gets to me.”

I’m intrigued.

“What would you do after that?” I whisper.

He clears his throat and leans in.

God, he smells divine.

“I’d take you back to my room, tie you to my bed, and gag you, so I could enjoy you in peace.”

I shiver against him. My face must be bright red.

“Enjoy me?” I ask, my voice shaky.

“Hmm, mmm. In so many ways. But I’m not telling you how. You’d have to find out firsthand.” He sits back as the waiter appears.

“A bottle of your finest champagne,” he orders.

The waiter hands us both a menu, but I can’t tear my eyes away from Jimmy.

“Of course. Coming right up.”

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