Page 13 of Knight’s Dominion

"What did you expect?"

“As it happens, not a hell of a lot when it comes to you.”

He’d never met anyone more infuriating in his life. His gaze dropped to her mouth. And before he could stop himself, he’d reached out with his thumb and was wiping off the red lipstick smeared past the curve of her full, lower lip. A jolt shot up his arm at the contact.

Her nostrils flared, and she jerked back.

Shit, he’d lost his damn mind. He’d seen Oden do it, marking her, trying to make her feel small, and he hadn’t liked it, any of it.

Again, why the fuck do you care?

“Enjoyed the show?” she said scowling, and not giving one shit what Chaos thought about what she’d just done with that asshole.

Despite the directness of her gaze and the fire in its depths, her voice was husky, different.

“Grace…”

“Gigi,” she said. “When I’m here, you call me Gigi.”

This was her work persona, the temptress, the dancer. A female who would sell her time, a piece of herself to males like the conceited demi she’d been sitting on moments ago.

He didn’t like that, either.

She saw it on his face, because just like that, the steel veil dropped into place, all softness washing from her expression. "Let’s save us both some time, shall we? No, I won't stop what I'm doing. No, I won't stop recruiting. And yes, you are the biggest asshole I have ever had the misfortune to encounter. Does that about cover everything?"

This female pissed him off like no one else. Not even Rocco’s smart mouth could piss him off like—

He slammed the door on that thought instantly. His helplessness and anger over what happened to his brother was more than he knew how to deal with. He gritted his teeth as anger forced its way forward. “Not quite. I have one more question."

Her hands went to the gentle curve of her hips. "Illuminate me."

"Do you enjoy the power you have over weak, spineless males like your friend Oden? Does it turn you on? Or do you feel shame after you’ve let them pant all over you?”

He didn't know where the words had come from, or why he'd lashed out, but it was too late to take them back now. Her entire body went rigid under his hands, and he realized he hadn't yet released her. What was he doing? It wasn’t her he wanted to strangle…no, he realized it was Oden. And that loss of control pissed him off further—it also confused the hell out of him.

She moved quickly, flicking her arms out in an arch, forcing his hands from her upper arms, and shoved his chest.

A sneer twisted her features. "If anyone should feel shame, it’s you for phenomenally sucking at your job, for failing those who rely on you most, those who are unable to protect themselves." Pain flashed across her eyes, but it was gone almost instantly. "And as for the power I hold over weak, spineless males"—her hand landed on his hard cock and she cupped him over his jeans with a firm grip and squeezed—“you tell me."

“Fuck.” The word slipped out before he could stop it.

"My sentiments exactly. Only I don't fuck people I don't respect."

“Glad we’re on the same page." Except he did respect Grace, he respected the hell out of her. He just didn’t want her and her people fighting, not when it was his job.

She laughed, a mirthless sound that held so much behind it. "We’re not even in the same damn book, Chaos."

His name on her lips again sent a shiver through him, and he scowled harder. She squeezed tighter and he didn’t move, didn't shove her hand away, wouldn't give her the satisfaction. “Yeah, I’m hard. Big fuckin’ deal. Any male would be when confronted with a blatant show of tits and ass. But the difference between Oden and me, is that I have a semblance of control, and most importantly, as far as you're concerned, I'm not the slightest bit tempted." Yeah, right. Who are you trying to convince, her or your dick?

Her hand dropped to his balls and he braced. But instead of squeezing the shit out of them, she gave him a light slap. Pleasure and pain shot up through his lower stomach. It took effort, but he managed to stop his eyes from rolling back in his head.

She laughed and leaned in. He had to fight not to do the same. "Like a little pain with your pleasure, do you, Chaos?"

He gritted his teeth. She had no idea what he liked, but fuck, he desperately wanted to show her.

"Have we finished here?” she said. “I have customers to see to, then I have demons to hunt and kill. Y’know, the job you should be doing instead of coming here to stare at my tits and lie about the real reason you tracked me down."

"And what reason would that be?" Dammit. He should keep his mouth shut and leave. This female annihilated his control.