Page 27 of King of Desire

I gasp in a breath and he gives me a wolfish smile in the mirror. “Practice.”

“Oh.” That makes sense. I can’t look shocked in front of everyone when he touches me. “We should look natural. Right.”

“We should,” he answers and then he slides his hands down my arms, over my hands. I splay my fingers out, and for a moment, they catch his, our fingers twining together.

And then he releases them, one hand coming to my hip, to pull me back against his body. The moment our bodies touch, an explosion of feeling pulses all through me, making me achy and hot.

But he isn’t done. He cups my jaw and turns my face back toward his, his lips brushing over mine in the kind of light kissthat makes my knees weak. It’s so intimate and so romantic, I feel lightheaded—and I may have forgotten to breathe.

Slowly, he pulls back and my eyes flutter open, meeting his. His look is dark and almost dangerous as his hand splays out on my hip. “We need to get the rest of your jewelry on.”

“Right. Jewelry.” I sound out of breath as I try to shake off the haze that has settled over my brain.

My lipstick has brushed off on his lips and without thinking, I reach up and run my thumb over his lower lip to brush it away.

But before I can finish, he captures my wrist in his hand, kissing the pad of my thumb. His lips open and his tongue licks at my skin. It’s the slightest bit dirty, and the ache between my legs pulses as he drags his teeth along the same path, nibbling at my flesh.

“Triston,” I half groan. We’ve passed practice, I know it. I’d like to drown in this man, let the tide take me away. But I really can’t.

I have to remember my brother, my obligations, and my fears too. I won’t be like my mother. Abandoned by a man and forced into near poverty.

Which is why I pull my thumb away, at least as far as his grip on my wrist will allow.

He raises my hand up and places another kiss on the inside of my wrist, the sensitive skin responding like a traitor to his touch. And then he lowers my wrist, pulling the bracelet from the box, he places the triple strand over my skin and closes the clasp.

Finally, he pulls the earrings from the box, handing them to me. They are a long chain of diamonds with a ruby dangling on each end.

“Honeyeh,” he rumbles close to my ear. “You were made for this life.”

I don’t know about that. And I don’t read anything into the words. I heard Veronica’s warning. And even though I wouldnever behave the way she had, it doesn’t make her wrong. Everyone knows Triston is a serial dater.

I cannot be caught up in a torrid romance with my boss. It’s not the life for me and it would be unfair to Darius if I compromised this job. “I will apply myself to being your doting and considerate date,” I answer back. “Tell me what you need.”

Our eyes lock in the mirror and I can feel the energy rolling off him in waves. Was it my words? The kiss?

“Just smile. Nod. And when I need to conduct business, join the wives. That’s it.”

I draw in a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

He guides me around, placing my hand in his elbow. His eyes hold mine as he starts toward the door. “Don’t worry. You’ll be perfect.”

My fingers tighten on his arm. I know he’s not a man who offers a future, but for tonight, I’m certain he can guide me through this evening.

Is it wrong that this is what I’ve always wanted? A man to hold me up in those moments I feel weak?

It reminds me to be extra careful. I could lose myself in Triston Smith.

CHAPTER TEN

Triston

Honeyeh is always beautiful.But like this…

She steals my breath every time I look at her and I ache to touch her. This whole charade of her being my choice of date so that I can conduct business is ridiculous. No woman has ever distracted me more.

The taste of her skin lingers on my lips and tongue, and I want to devour her. This past week, I’ve worked out until my limbs ached. Yesterday after a grueling weights session, I took a long, hot shower, picturing the sweet juicy curve of Honeyeh’s ass and the way she looked in this dress.

But in the most infuriating twist, I didn’t masturbate. Cumming would really fucking help. I’m getting surlier with everyone around me, but as much as I know I should, I don’t want to spill my cum anywhere but in or on her.

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