Page 55 of Brutal Sin

“Yeah.”

“I wasn’t sure if you were going to keep them to reador—”

“I’m not. I planned on throwing them in the nearest dumpster, but turns out those books are fucking expensive. I read the price sticker on the back of one and couldn’t bring myself to trash them. So, I’m waiting for a spare afternoon to drop them at an oncology ward. Or somewhere else they might be ofuse.”

She didn’t reply for long seconds that felt like unending months. In that head of hers, he figured she was creating a punishing reply.

“You had no intention of reading them, but you took them anyway?”

He ground his teeth.

“Thank you, Bryan.”

Shit. Shit. Shit.

She was back to using hisname.

“Don’t mention it,” he muttered and wanted to back it up with, “No, really, don’t fucking mention it. Ever.”

“You can be a sweet guy, you knowthat?”

“Yeah. The perfect gentleman,” he mocked. “Especially when I have my hands around your throat and your tight cunt around my finger.”

She gave a breathy chuckle. “Are you trying to shock me with dirty talk?” She clucked her tongue. “Amateur.”

He was. Around her, at least.

“It’s hardly dirty talk.” He turned onto their street, thankful for the upcoming escape from the confined space. “I should give you a lesson on that, too.” No. No, he couldn’t. What the hell was he thinking?

She sighed and remained quiet.

Crisis averted.

Thankfuck.

“We’re almost there.” The looming threat of rain had made for less foot-traffic. Not many people were around. Then again, it was nine on a Tuesday night. Not really the hour for raving. “This is the place.”

He took in the two-story building as he turned into the parking lot entrance. The front facade had received a facelift since he’d last been here. The dark brick was now matched with black guttering, giving a Gothic feel, while the warm yellow lights brightened up the interior.

“You like it here?” She fumbled with the ends of her scarf.

“Yeah. It’s a low-key version of Shot ofSin.”

“Howso?”

“There’s booze, soft music, and rooms for hire upstairs.” He parked at the back of the lot and cut the engine.

“Roomsfor…?”

“Privacy. Playing. Fucking. You name it.” He turned to her, taking in the slight hitch to her chin and her sharp inhale. The mental image had turned her on, which meant his dick wanted in on the action. “Are you ready?”

She held up her clutch and nodded. “Allset.”

His palms began to sweat as he took in all the visible assets other men would soon be ogling. “Lose the scarf.”

Her mouth gaped. “Why?”

Because I want to see more of you. “It doesn’t match the dress.” And every time you touch it I think about tying you to mybed.

---