Page 68 of When I Accidentally Snagged a Serial Killer

I tilt my chin. “Maybe I wanted to see if you were capable of one.”

“Oh, I’m capable.”

I should back down. Instead, I smile. “Prove it.”

For half a second, Gage doesn’t move.

Then—the world tilts. I yelp as he catches me around the waist and throws me over his shoulder so fast, my hair falls across my face.

“Gage!” He locks one arm across the backs of my thighs and starts walking. I shove my hair out of my eyes, laughing despite my rioting pulse. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“Reacting.”

Not breaking his stride, he carries me upstairs to his bedroom. My laughter falters. Not because I’m afraid. Because he’s heading for the master bathroom. The one place in this house with zero cameras.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I repeat.

Gage pushes open the door. “Princess,” he says, maddeningly calm, “I’m going to teach you to respect a goddamn coaster.”

CHAPTER 18

Gage

I set Jubilee on her feet.

And then? I walk to the door at an infuriatingly slow pace—and shut it. Almost surprised she didn’t try to bolt. I gave a wide berth. She had plenty of room to run. Everything is intentional tonight.

When I turn around, I discover her paling. Eyes wide like prey. And yet…she shifts her gaze, surveying the area as if she’s envisioning whatever I have planned.

My fists aren’t clenched. My muscles are primed but not locked. I crack my neck from side to side, thrilled when she lifts her brows.

“Um…should I be worried?” she wonders, one shuddering hand trailing up the other arm.

“Depends.” I move closer.

“On?”

I twist one side of my mouth into a smirk. Less devil, more dominance. “On whether or not you are going to be a good girl.”

Her jaw drops, and I close the distance between us until my shadow falls over her. Jubilee isn’t short. I’m simply taller, broader, and right now, I am using every inch of that difference. She’s spent weeks testing the edges of my control and practically daring me to give her more.

Fine. I can be creative.

She wants to know if she can push me to the breaking point, if I’ll leave her as everyone else has. Tonight? I will show her.

But dominance isn’t the same thing as taking away her choice. I can command. Imply I expect obedience. The rest is up to her.

I tip her chin higher and let my thumb brush the soft swell of her lower lip. Arousal shoots straight to my groin, and for one dangerous second, I imagine drawing that lip between my teeth. Her breath catches, but she doesn’t pull away. If anything, her cheeks pinken more.

Good. I need to know she wants this—even if it hurts. I need her trust. I may be hard, but in control, as I need to be. Beyond this being my house, she matters more to me than anything. I don’t want to lose her.

Tonight? She will know that.

Leaning in close enough until my beard grazes her ear, I lower my voice. “Bend over, Princess.”

Her breath hitches sharply. “Excuse me?”

Now, I cup her chin, holding it steady, firm. “You can choose to bend over the counter, so I may discipline the brat you’ve been acting like for the past thirteen days—or you can walk out that bathroom door.” I indicate.