Page 40 of Seeking Vengeance

“I wasn’t playing. I like being held by you. I just never assumed the offer had to come with a predetermined conclusion.”

“It does and it doesn’t.” He raises his chin as if stricken. “If at any time I did something you didn’t appreciate, you’d only have to say the word and I’d stop. But that’s where your problem is going to be. I’ll make sure you appreciate everything I do. I’ll make you want me, Layla. I’ll push you further than you anticipate and I won’t regret it.”

I shiver. Head to toe. Every inch of skin sizzles with goose bumps.

I don’t doubt him. He’s already pushed my boundaries. I’ve accepted numerous open drinks. I climbed into the car of a stranger. I’ve left myself vulnerable to him.

These are all cardinal sins set out by my family since birth. Yet, I don’t regret breaking them.

I want more.

“Join me,” I whisper.

He leans over in a swoop, placing his glass on the tile before he deftly shucks his suit jacket to the floor. Then, with one button after another, he exposes me to a torso of carved muscles, his hard work ethic and determination etched into the peaks and curves of his chest.

“Something wrong?” He raises a brow as he drops his shirt to the floor.

“My imagination didn’t do you justice.”

He smirks, his strong hands latching onto his belt. He holds my gaze as he pulls the leather from the clasp, but I can’t keep the connection—not when my cheeks flame hot.

I tilt my face away, stupidly bashful, the heat in my cheeks seeping down my neck.

My heart thunders at the continued clink of the belt buckle. In my periphery, I see him discard his suit pants to pile them on top of his shirt.

He snickers, the faint sound making me shiver. “What’s wrong, Lay?”

I pull my legs to my chest and focus on the bubbles as he continues to undress, removing his socks, then his underwear.

“Don’t tell me you’re shy.” He approaches, stopping directly over my shoulder, almost out of sight. “Another bashful flutter of those lashes and I’m done for.”

I focus on levelling my breathing as I hug my thighs. “Not shy. Just respectful. It’s rude to stare.”

There’s another muted snicker. “Let me make this clear—the things I’ve pictured us doing are far from respectful. Now scoot forward. Let me sit behind you.”

I do as instructed, shuffling farther along the tub.

Every one of my nerves tingles as he climbs in, raising the water level along with the horizon of bubbles. The moment his legs slide around me, I tense, my nipples beading painfully. It’s such a strange sensation, this hyper anticipation coated in brutal nervousness.

“Relax.” His hands find my forearms under the water. “Lean back against me.”

I don’t know how. I’m frozen. All the overflowing confidence I had moments earlier has vanished, the traitorous bitch leaving me to fend for myself.

“It’s okay.” His voice is soft as he guides me to recline against him, his hands adding tender pressure on my shoulders. Then he falls quiet, not saying a word as I settle into him. There’s only the gentle ebb and flow of his breathing and the thrilling hardness of his dick against my back.

“You’re still shivering.” He glides his fingers over my arms, gently teasing me below the surface. “The adrenaline is taking its time to wear off.”

“It’s not the adrenaline.” I clear the discomfort from my throat while his touch climbs higher to my biceps, then farther.

He massages my shoulders, lightly kneading. “You’ve got no idea how much I appreciate knowing I have an effect on you.” He nuzzles my neck, awakening the sensitive spot below my ear. “You’re a hard nut to crack, Layla.”

I tremble, the vibration skittering along my chest. “You poor thing. Did my restraint batter your excessive ego?”

“Like you wouldn’t believe.” The words hum against my skin before his lips follow with a brief kiss. “But don’t worry. I’ll turn the tables.”

I hold in a smile, fully aware the tables have always been turned. Soon they may even be flipped.

“How’s your cheek?” He scrapes his teeth over my shoulder, his hands continuing their gentle onslaught down and around my waist.

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