Page 79 of Bared Betrayal
“That’s unfortunate for her because I suddenly remember I’m going to be stuck in traffic this morning and be really, really fucking late,” I say, and Denise snorts.
“Um…Mr. King. She is standing at my desk, requesting the phone to speak to you.”
“Give her the phone, and I will give your bonus check to Victor.”
“Victor the mail guy?”
“Victor the mail guy.”
“What do you want me to tell her, sir?”
I place a hand on my naked waist, leaning by head back. “Inform Agent Evans that I will only be in later this afternoon. If she would like to wait for me, suggest her car.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Denise, do not let that woman into my office. Call security and have her removed if she tries. I’ll deal with the fallout personally.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Thank you.” I hang up the phone. Victoria is turning into a giant pain in my fucking ass, and I don’t like to walk around in a five-thousand-dollar suit with a pain in my ass. I need to deal with her, the sooner the better.
Stepping into the living room, I instantly relax when I hear her humming. Kallie is in her makeshift studio painting, and just like me, she didn’t bother with clothes. I lean against the doorframe. She’s a vision standing naked in front of her canvas. From this vantagepoint, I can see her side profile, the graceful curve of her back, and the delicious curve of her ass, the faint lines from my whip. Just seeing those bruises fading on her skin is making my palms itch to add more.
The morning light catches her in a way that makes her blonde hair glow like strands of gold. Her head is leaning to the side, her brows curved and lips pursed as she hums. It looks…calm. Serene. Free. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look this beautiful, and while I admire her in silence, there’s this ache inside my chest that’s making it hard to breathe right. I don’t know what the fuck is happening.
I stalk into the room and wrap my arms around her from behind.
“Oh.” She stops painting. “Good morning, Mr. King.”
I place my chin on her shoulder studying her painting. “You seem inspired this morning.”
“I am.”
“Is it fair to say that you got some inspiration pounded into you?”
She lets out a laugh, and it’s instantly my favorite sound in the world.
“One can say that.” She turns to face me, her breasts pressing against my chest, her hair hanging to the side.
“How are you feeling?” I ask.
She feigns a look of thought, glancing up at the ceiling. “Sore. Achy. Tired.”
“You’re welcome.”
Her laughter fills my ears.
“Seriously, though,” I say, placing my palms on her waist. “You feeling okay?”
Her smile fades a little. “Yeah. I’m okay.”
“You sure?” I study her expression, searching for anything that can give me a clue as to what’s going on inside her pretty head.
There’s a glimmer of sadness in her eyes for just a second before she shrugs it off. “You know,” she grins, “since you know everything about me, I think it’s only fair I get to know some of your secrets.”
“That’s true,” I say, holding her close. “It depends on what you want to know.”
I should have seen her question coming.
