Page 28 of Betrothed in Fury
“Coffee?” he asks.
Nowthissurprises me. Despite what an asshole he’s been since I found out our fathers intended for us to marry, he’s being incredibly attentive to my needs. It reminds me of last night, when he was giving me water and towels to wipe off the sweat and blood. Killian Lorde is a fucking mystery.
“Yes.”
“Cream and sugar?”
“Black.”
He heads to the espresso machine and selects a few settings before it grinds and then dispenses into the mug. He makes another, setting it beside my plate before settling in the seat opposite me. After unfolding his napkin and readying his silverware, he forks a turnip and sticks it into his mouth.
As much as I wish I could resist, it’s impossible when I have this selection before me. I take a few bites and down a swig of coffee, enough that it’ll give me the much-needed energy boost. As my body adjusts to having the sustenance, I say, “Last night was a strange thing.”
His lips twist into a sneaky smirk. “When you tasted my cum?”
Familiar heat rushes to my chest as I think about the way he took advantage of my need to avenge my brother. Even now, I can see how much he loved dominating me, how it pleased him, and how it’s pleasing him even more to mention it in front of one of his cronies.
“I didn’t want to do that.”
“You sure were good at it for someone who wasn’t interested.”
“I was getting it over with.” Surely, he understands why.
“If you insist,” he says, shrugging. “How did it feel to have me in your belly all night?” He looks at me like he’s proud of the sick thing he did to me, and rage pulses through me, reminding me that just as thoughtful as he can seem to be, I know the kind of asshole he really is. “I love the way I get under your skin,” he observes.
“Do I seem bothered?” I’m desperately trying to disguise it.
“Yes.” The word comes out quiet and cool, assuring me that he does, in fact, know.
“That wasn’t even what I meant, you bastard. I was talking about the other thing that happened.”
“Oh, when you sliced up Sik Rick?”
“Vik,” I correct. He should have at least remembered his name if he was planning to kill him on my behalf.
“Doesn’t matter anymore, does it?”
As he smiles, I ignore his remark since Killian seems to have the power to keep me from making my point, ever.
“I just wanted you to know I don’t normally act like that. It was a onetime thing because of what he did.” Of course, as my mind flashes back to other instances when I’ve let this beast out, I know I’m a liar. I’ve always had this darkness within me. And I’ve always hated myself for it.
Killian stares at me, his brow quirked, his lip twisted upward. I doubt he believes me any more than I believe myself. His smirk, as if to say he knows me better than he possibly could, makes me want to lunge across the table and show him just how bad I can really be. But this feels like something lingering from last night, so I do my best to keep the beast in its cage. Although, I don’t know that I’ll be able to contain myself if he starts calling me out on my shit.
“So you’re saying that’s the first and only time you’ve done something like that?” he presses.
It’d be so easy to lie to him, but what would be the point? He’d know it was just that.
I’m quiet, just pick at my vegetables with my fork, and he snickers, rattling me anew.
“What are you laughing about?”
“I’m just relieved you didn’t try to lie to me again, Logan. I don’t handle lying well.” His expression turns serious so quickly, I don’t doubt there would be consequences, and for a guy who’s already proven he can easily gain the upper hand, it wouldn’t be wise to test him.
“If you don’t want to discuss last night, that’s fair. We can discuss something that’s far more interesting to me.” I already know where it’s going even before he says, “Our arrangement.”
I tighten my grip on my fork, balling my free hand into a fist. “What? Did you want me to pull out my schedule so we can set a date?”
“It’s too soon for that, but I do think last night brought up an important detail we haven’t covered.”
