Page 50 of Christmas With The Kings
I arched a brow, smirking despite the flush in my chest. “I thought I was perfect?”
“You are. But even perfect girls need reminders.”
The adoration in his aqua eyes stole my breath and made my heart thump wildly. Damn, I was a lucky woman to be loved so thoroughly. My thighs clenched, heat spiraling down. Before I could say something wildly inappropriate, he called my name.
I scrambled to my feet, pushing the ribbons and scraps of wrapping paper away as I walked toward my beast. He held a beautifully wrapped silver box in his hand.
“Saved the best for last,” He murmured as he placed it in my hands. His eyes never left mine, and the intensity spoke volumes. This one was going to be trouble.
He lounged back in the chair, one arm draped lazily over the armrest, watching me like a tiger ready to pounce. The faint smirk on his lips was pure provocation.
“You’re enjoying this far too much,” I said, narrowing my eyes as I traced the bow.
“Of course I am,” he replied smoothly. “Go on. Open it, the anticipation is killing me.”
I pulled on the string holding it together, flipped the lid, and my eyebrows shot up. Lace, delicate and wicked, pooled in the tissue paper. I tugged the panties free.
“Bright red?” I said, arching a brow. “Really? The Reaper would not approve.”
His smirk widened into something sharper. “You are right about that, but it’s not his day now is it? And news flash, little love, I’m not scared of him. I’ve been able to beat him in a fight since year seven.”
“Hey now. No beating up the Reaper…I guess we could keep it a secret,” I said as I fingered the lacy material. It was exquisite and so soft.
“We could, but where is the fun in that. And let’s be real here, you can’t do Christmas without red.”
That made me laugh. “Oh my god, exactly. See this is why I love you so much. You get me, my beloved.”
His gaze lingered, and in it was a man who had every intention of ruining me. Heat spread from my face clear down to my toes. “That I do. But look inside there is more than a pair of panties in there.”
“Oh,” I said, surprise lacing my voice.
Just as I was about to dive back into the box, I noticed a tiny pocket sewn into the lace panties. Nestled inside the box were a sleek little bullet-shaped device and a ring that looked far too ordinary to be innocent. I glanced at him, one brow arched.
“You didn’t,” I whispered.
“I absolutely did,” he said, the words velvet and smooth.
Our eyes locked.
“That,” he said, leaning forward, his tone dropping into that low rumble that always made my skin prickle, “is where the fun begins.”
I turned the bullet over in my fingers, then pointed at the ring. “Explain.”
“Hand it to me.”
He gestured toward the panties. “The bullet slips into the pocket. Perfectly placed. You put them on, no one sees a thing, and you carry on as if nothing’s different. Meanwhile…” He plucked the ring from my palm and slid it onto his finger. The gesture was so deliberate and possessive my knees went weak. I leaned on him for support. “I get to decide when and where to torment you.”
My mouth went dry, though I fought to keep my grin. “The ring is the remote.”
“Exactly. Works up to fifty feet. Disguised so no one else knows. And it’s monogamous—only responds to me. The Reaper and the Crow can get you one of their own if they want a turn.” His gaze locked on mine, steady, unyielding.
I laughed again, but it came out softer, a little breathless. “I thought what was yours—was theirs?”
His smirk turned slow and devastating. “It is, for the most part but I hear the Reaper got you a beginner collar. I took a play from his book is all.”
“Hmmm…well now that I think about it, the Crow needs to up his game a little. Although he did tie me up which neither you or the Reaper have ever done. So I guess that could count.”
“Did you like being tied up?”
