Page 48 of Monsters Wear Crowns
So I smiled sweetly and said, “Not in my office,Vaughan.”
His mouth curved. “That sounds like a challenge.”
“It is.”
His eyes darkened with pleasure. “Careful, Adela. Ineverback down from a challenge.” Rafe’s hands stayed right where they were, and the slow, villainous smile that stretched across his face set every nerve in my body on fire.
“Of course you don’t.”
He grinned, his tousled black hair falling into his cold eyes. “Not in your office,Sinclair?” His voice was a low purr, smooth and lethal. “What if Itakeit?”
My stomach clenched, and heat flashed through me, areckless mix of arousal and fury. “You’d have to fight me for it.”
He chuckled, a dark, rich sound that made my skin tighten. “Don’t tempt me. We haven’t donethatyet.”
I sucked in a quick breath. My heart slammed so hard against my ribs that I was sure he could hear it. Letting him get under my skin like this was stupid, especially here. But the way he looked at me, like I was something he was about to consume…
“You wouldn’t dare,” I whispered, but my voice lacked any real heat.
His eyes darkened. “Wouldn’t I? I know you want it.”
I should’ve pushed him back. Imeantto push him back, but then his hand skimmed up my throat, his fingers brushing my jaw, and all I could do was tip my head into his touch.
“Tell me no, then,” Rafe murmured, his lips a breath away from mine. “Tell me youdon’twant this.” His other hand drifted up my thigh toward the hem of my tight blue dress.
I didn’t say a word.
His smile was pure wickedness. “That’s what I thought.” Before I could respond, he swiftly lifted me and placed me on my desk. Then he was kissing me, and there was nothing soft or patient about it. It was heat and hunger, a demand I had no hope of resisting. He positioned himself between my thighs, and heat rapidly flared through me. My hands twisted into his jacket, dragging him closer even as I knew we were being absolute dumbasses.
The glass walls of my office weren’t entirely opaque. Anyone walking by could see the way Rafe tilted my head back, the way his body pressed against mine, the way Imeltedfor him.
“Rafe,” I breathed against his mouth, half a warning, half a plea.
But he wasn’t in the mood to be careful. His teeth grazed my bottom lip, his hand sliding into my hair as he pulled my head back roughly, exposing my throat. He was feeling...dominant this morning.
“Maybe I should just take what I want,” he whispered, his breath warm against my skin. “And with everyone here, no screaming.”
When his teeth nipped at my pulse point, I forced myself to shove a hand against his chest, dragging in a shaky breath as I pushed him back.
“We can’t,” I said, though my voice was far from convincing.
Rafe’s eyes gleamed with wicked satisfaction. A predator suddenly triggered. “I don’t think you believe that.”
“I don’t care what you think.” It was a lie. A weak one.
His mouth curved. “Of course you do. You care what I think. You care what I want.” His gaze dropped to my mouth, and my stomach twisted with anticipation. “And you’re going to open your legs and let me take it. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t hear a safeword,Dela.”
But before I could snap back, before I could make the choice to push him away or pull him closer, there was a sharp knock at the door.
I froze.
Rafe didn’t move. If anything, his grip on my desk tightened.
“Adela?” Lauren’s voice floated through the door, light and amused. “Sorry to interrupt your…strategymeeting. But we’ve got a situation.”
I closed my eyes and took a slow, steadying breath. “One second,” I called, my voice miraculously even.
Rafe didn’t move. His eyes stayed on mine, his body still crowding mine like he had no intention of going anywhere.
