Page 23 of Rule
His eyes lock onto mine, and he leans in the doorway. This is a disaster. With my men watching from the car, I know I’m failing epically. I can't even get over the threshold.
"Trust is everything in our Society, Scarlet. Without it, we have nothing."
"Do you trust me, Lucius?" I purr, reaching out to place my hand on his arm lightly.
He glares at it but doesn't move it away.
His words resonate with me, and I realize that despite the strange circumstances of our relationship, trust has always been at the core of what we share.
"I don't trust anyone."
"Then how are you able to be who you are in the Society?" I inquire innocently.
He smiles, it's wickedly sharp, and suddenly I feel like I might get somewhere. "Quite," he says, straightening up and stepping back. "Come in."
With a triumphant smile, I step over the threshold and follow Lucius through his home, where he leads me into the den. It is filled with thousands of books and old paintings.
"Sit," he says. "Drink?"
"Sure," I murmur, sitting and crossing my legs so that my thigh is exposed.
He doesn't even glance at it when he turns around with a glass of scotch. Crossing over to me, he places it down and sits opposite me.
"Let's cut to the chase, shall we?" he says. "Why are you really here?"
"I want you," I murmur, leaning forward to show him my cleavage.
His eyes narrow, and he purses his lips. "I don't appear to be your type."
Giggling, I rise and slip onto the coffee table in front of him. Placing my hand on his leg, I lean forward again. This time, his eyes drop. "What? Distinguished and handsome, worldly and intelligent, isn't my type?
Lucius' eyes dart up to mine, and I can see the flicker of desire that he's trying to hide. It's intoxicating, knowing that I have this power over a man who's usually so rigid and in control. But as thrilling as it is, I know that I need to tread carefully – one wrong move could cost me everything.
"Flattery will get you nowhere, my dear," he says, his voice low and husky.
Smiling slowly, I know that I've got him just where I want him. "I wasn't trying to flatter you," I say, trailing a finger slowly up his leg. "I was merely stating a fact."
He exhales sharply, clearly affected by my touch. "And what is it that you want from me?" he asks, though his tone makes it clear that he already knows.
Leaning closer, my lips almost brushing against his ear, I whisper, "I told you; I want to know more about the Society."
He pulls back slightly, looking at me with suspicion. "There are some things that are better left unsaid," he says cryptically.
"I'm not afraid of secrets," I murmur. "In fact, I think they're quite alluring."
He chuckles softly, but his eyes remain guarded. "And what makes you think you're worthy of knowing our secrets?" he asks.
I lean back slightly, holding his gaze with newfound intensity. "Because I'm a woman who knows what she wants," I say firmly. "And what I want is to be part of something bigger than myself – something you can help me with." Opening my legs slightly, I rest my elbows on my knees, my chin in my hands, giving him a steady stare. "Give me what I want."
"You're bold, girl."
"Call me that again," I pout slightly.
"Girl," he murmurs, his eyes dropping to my mouth.
Knowing I have him hook, line, and sinker, I wonder where the fuck my men are. I'm not kissing this guy for all the money in the land.
"There you are," Max says, coming to my rescue not a moment too soon. "I was getting impatient."
