Page 39 of Playing with the Devil

After quietly entering her bedroom, I found myself sitting beside her as I tugged the sheets low enough to reveal the nude cotton panties she was wearing.

Goosebumps pricked her thighs and carefully, I ran the back of my four fingers down her skin, rubbing them away.

“Antonio,” she breathed, but this time, I couldn’t decipher whether or not it was pleasure, or pain. But I didn’t give a fuck.

Quietly, I strolled over to her drawer and picked out a pair almost identical to the one she was wearing.

When I reached her again, she’d kicked the sheets all the way down to her feet and the corner of my mouth twisted up. You’re making it easy for me, aren’t you, tesoro?

Reaching down I gripped the sides of her panties, slowly dragging them down her smooth, tanned legs.

My head fell back as I straightened my spine, bunching the material in my fist. My dick twitched again, straining behind the material of my pants and I inhaled in an attempt to subside the temptation rising to the surface. Do not fucking wake her, Antonio.

After slipping her panties into my pocket I dragged the similar pair up her legs, before covering her with the sheets again.

Reaching up I cupped the side of her face, running my thumb over her cheekbone.

Her lips parted, as though she wanted to speak, but no words came out.

“Shh.” I leaned in, brushing my lips over hers as my eyes slowly closed.

I shifted slightly, placing a tender kiss to her bare shoulder then inhaled her scent. She’ll never be able to leave me again.

* * *

It had been two days since I’d been in Nirah’s bedroom.

Every night I found myself behind my desk… watching her. Observing her. Whether she was awake or asleep, it didn’t matter.

I’d already missed out on four years without her. 1461 days too many. But two nights ago, I got too close. I couldn’t risk it again.

Right as I was about to slip into bed, I heard movement downstairs. Glancing at my bedside clock I noticed it was almost two in the morning.

With the hairs on the back of my neck rising, I reached for my gun and cocked it, leaving my room.

Nirah, should be asleep, and no one else should be wondering around.

As soon as I shut my bedroom door I turned to see Nirah staring back at me—wide eyed in nothing but her little tank top and some pajama shorts—holding up a… baseball bat?

“What are you doing?” I whispered, approaching her and she glanced at the stairs then back at me.

“I heard a noise,” she whispered, her fingers tightening around the bat.

“You heard a—” I cut myself off, mindlessly looking around until my eyes settled on her. “You heard a noise?”

“Yes, I heard a noise!” She snapped back and stepped forward but I grabbed her arm, making her look back at me.

My eyes shifted toward the baseball bat. “Where’d you get it?”

She swallowed, adjusting her grip. “I was thinking about getting into baseball.” Then, her eyes narrowed. “Don’t judge me.” Bullshit.

“Give me a name.”

“Antonio—”

“Tell me who gave it to you, or I’ll start killing my men one by one.”

She hesitated for a brief moment, then murmured, “Koren.”