Page 23 of Liars

“Evan?” Kreed echoed. “You’re already on a first-name basis with your security. Perhaps I haven’t given you enough credit.”

I flipped him off before I thought about what I was doing, tired of this conversation. I’d gotten to the point where I honestly didn’t care if Kreed ratted me out. I had to get over this wall before I did something foolish.

Turning my back on Kreed was my first mistake. One I wouldn’t likely make again. It only took me once to learn a lesson the hard way. I had my hand on the stone, ready to hoist myself up, when Kreed’s hands were suddenly on my waist, pulling me roughly away from the wall and my freedom.

I stumbled, caught off guard, as he pressed me against a tree, the cold bark digging into my back. The hard press of his body pinned me to the trunk as his hand shot up to cover my mouth.

God, why does his body fit perfectly with mine?

And that shouldn’t have been my first thought.

A normal person would have been thinking about how to escape this situation,nothow hot it was.

“Quiet,” he hissed, his face inches from mine, the warmth of his breath fanning my cheek.

Just like that, his tone snapped me out of my momentary insanity. I had a few choice phrases for Kreed, none of them pleasant, but the snappy retort on my lips died as a flashlight beamed across the yard, bouncing over the grass, and the sound of approaching footsteps caused my stomach to drop. One of the guards was making their rounds and coming straight at us.

“Shit,” I whispered behind his hand, my heart rate kicking up and my eyes wide. My breath hitched as Kreed’s gaze locked onto mine, silently conveying his early command. His two scarscaught the faint moonlight, a stark reminder I didn’t know him—didn’t know if he was trustworthy.

Why exactly was he helping me?

Was he saving himself?

Or was he actually lending me a hand?

Regardless, I got a feeling his help wouldn’t be free. Kreed would want something in return or would want me to owe him a favor. I wasn’t particularly keen on being indebted to Kreed Corvo.

The guard’s footsteps grew louder, the flashlight's beam sweeping dangerously close. My heart thundered in my chest, and I fought the instinct to run, knowing any movement could give us away.

If he swung the light at just the right angle, the guard could catch a glimpse of our shadows.

That would be bad.

At least for me.

The jury was out on Kreed. Surely, he was free to come and go as he pleased.

I never did ask what he was doing outside. Was he coming or going? Had he been following me?

Kreed stayed perfectly still, his expression indecipherable as the guard lingered nearby. I couldn’t take my eyes off Donovan’s son. My body seemed to become hyperaware of every point where he touched me. My breasts against his chest. His fingers pressing into my hips. His other hand covering my mouth. Despite the chill kissing the night’s air, my skin flushed.

No. Uh-uh. No way.

I’m not having a reaction of any kind to Kreed Corvo.

Not fucking happening.

Even if I had to wear a chastity belt, lock up the penis fly trap, whatever it took, my kitty wasn’t going anywhere near him.

Off-limits.

It had to be my recent trauma screwing with logic. Kaylor Steele does not go for guys like Kreed. Never.

His mouth was too damn close to mine. Lickable close. Kissable close. Tastable close.

Why am I so obsessed with his lips?

Maybe because you can’t stop staring at them.

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