Page 11 of The Photograph

When the beautiful manipulator shuffles on her feet, I dip my eyes on her pink painted toes she curls on the carpet. “It’s all right. I’ll do the stencil in my studio—”

As if my fingers had a will of their own, they lift to pinch a rebellious lock of her hair before I tuck it behind her ear. Her small gasp hovers between us as I brush my knuckles on her cheek, and I get hard. Sexiest mouth.

I need a taste.I wrap my hand around her nape and pull her on her toes while her lips part. The light bite of her fingernails as she grips my waist jolts me out of my trance and I shift back.

What the fuck am I doing?

Her hand flies to my chest. “Gabe?”

Clenching my jaw hard, I step back. “Sorry for startling you. Next time I’ll call ahead.”

“It’s all right, I—”

I stalk out of the room and head straight for my car.

Once at the penthouse, I lob my keys on the platter on top of the silver side table and

march to the open plan kitchen where I pull a bottle of bourbon from the black sleek cabinet beside the fridge and pour myself a generous serving. With my glass in hand, I settle on the leather sectional in the living room. I drop the back of my head against the cool leather and sweep my palm over my face.

I nearly fucked up tonight.Sitting up to put my glass on the coffee table, the picture the investigator took peeks out of the binder and teases me. She’s not supposed to be so damn sexy, barefoot with that stubborn strand of hair that falls over her golden eyes. And a mouth I want to bite, and lick. And fuck.

Next thing I know, I’ll be giving her money. Aelin Thorne, you might be fuckable, but I know how this game is played and I know what you are.

Stretching my neck from side to side, I stride to the terrace where I wait for the cool air to temper my anger. Then, I grab my cell. She picks up on the first ring.

“Kerry, I’m sending my driver to pick you up.”

An hour later, standing on the black rug of the second bedroom, I peruse the blonde naked woman laid on the bed. After curling the silky rope around my hands, I bind her wrists together on the metal frame of the bedhead. With another flick of my hands, I secure the knot under her breasts and bend her knees high.

When Kerry chortles, the sound grates against my ears, and I clench my jaw.

“I know you’re a sex wizard, but if you could just speed up the tying up and fuck me. That’d be great.”

Peering up at her smiling eyes, I roll my shoulders back to relax them.

After running the rope around her calves and her thighs until they’re tied together, I spread her thighs wide and kneel between her legs.

****

As I walk Kerry out and call the elevator, she turns to me.

“Everything all right, big guy?”

When I say it is, she touches my arm. “Is there something you needed me to do differently?”

Yes. Not ask questions.Our interactions usually last longer. I like her well enough and between us things are clear. She knows what I like, I make her come and I spoil her financially. But tonight, the pent-up tension I was hoping to release still knots my back.

She flicks her long blonde hair over her shoulder. “Is it still okay that my girlfriend and I stay at your hotel in London next week?”

Shoving my hands in my pockets, I nod. “Call Ann, she’ll make the arrangements.”

The pretty woman I’ve been sleeping with for the last five months touches her fingertips to her painted lips and waves at me. “Soon, big guy.”

“Bye, Kerry.”

When she finally steps between the sliding doors of the metal cabin, I raise my chin in response to her little wave, and exhale slowly as I head back inside the apartment. Once there, I head straight for the shower.

While the multiple warm jets beat on my shoulders, I hang my head low while my mind wanders to Aelin. I press my palm against the cool, tiled wall and wrap my fist around my cock.

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