Page 85 of A Bond Beyond Blood

Fuck you,she growled, repeating that sentiment over and over as she held my gaze, unwavering in her defiance.

I chuckled.“You should be so lucky, pet.”

I revoke your invitation to enter this building.

That again?I rolled my eyes.Tilting her head to each side slowly, I assessed what little bruising remained.The purple had turned to yellow or all but disappeared, and all that was left of the stitches I’d assumed she’d received for that gash in her temple was shiny, pink skin.Yes, she truly had healed quite nicely—

Are you proud of your handiwork?she snapped through the connection I had to her thoughts, the words biting and accusatory.

I blinked and focused on her eyes.“Not even a little bit,” I whispered, then my attention fell to her lips, as it often did, and I was surprised by the violent desire to close the distance so I could taste that smart mouth.

Jack’s breath caught and when she licked her lips in response to my intense focus on them, I almost gave into the mutual desire burning between us.

Instead, I pushed that thought aside for a later time—wedidhave an audience, and I was a gentleman above all else—and tested her once more.Repeating my earlier command with more power in the instruction than before, I said,“Invite the boy inside.”

Jutting her chin even as I held it within my grasp, she said evenly, “Not a fucking chance.”

The smile spread slowly across my lips.“I do love your wicked tongue.”

“You can’t influence her,” Vinny said, amusement evident in his tone as he stepped closer.“Holy shit.”

I shot him a warning glare, then looked back into her blue eyes.“It would appear I cannot.”Narrowing my gaze, I said,“Revoke Vinny’s invitation into your home.”

She snorted.“Not likely.”

Running my tongue over my teeth, I dragged my thumb across her bottom lip, pleased by the way she visibly trembled from my touch, then, because I couldn’t give up just yet, I decided to have a little fun.“Get on your knees.”

Jack’s lips curved into a slow, self-satisfied grin.“You get on your knees.”

A tempting suggestion indeed.

I smirked and Gannon made a nervous sound.I didn’t have to glance toward Vinny to know he’d be positively tickled by this entire exchange.

Gripping her chin tightly, I tugged her forward, wrapping my other arm around her waist and bringing her body flush with mine so she could see just how intriguing her suggestion had been.She sucked in a breath as my hard length pressed against her.

Bringing my lips to her ear, I whispered, “Trust me,pet, if I get on my knees for you right now, what happens next will make both of your boyfriends absolutelymurderous.”

With a laugh, I released a stunned Jacqueline then settled back into her father’s chair, swiping her wine glass from the table once more and finishing it in one gulp.“Well, I’m certainly intrigued by that little plot twist.Anyone else?”

---