“I never thought Larry would ever betray me. After our parents died, he raised me. He always reminded me that I owed him, that he wasted so much time looking after me. I just thought…” She trailed off and then hastily wiped the tears that gathered in her eyes. “Doesn’t matter what I think now.”
She didn’t want him to see her cry, to witness her at her most vulnerable state, he realized. He leaned in close and kissed away the salt of her tears. Leah froze. Knox could tell his gesture startled her.
It surprised them both. Knox wasn’t a man known for being affectionate. Ex-lovers and his enemies called him heartless for a reason.
“Family should never betray you,” Knox told her. “You’re right to hate your brother.”
“He didn’t need to drag me with him to gamble. I volunteered to come. Larry knew I’d do anything for him. Since he lost his job at the car factory two years ago, I’ve been paying the bills and groceries for us,” she said bitterly. “It still wasn’t enough. It never is.”
“Why would you do that?” Knox asked.
“Some part of me believed I could convince him to change his mind. When we went down those stairs and sat at that table, I knew it was hopeless. He even told me not to worry, that he had it in the bag.” She blew out a breath. “He said Guy and Shane would give him a chance to win his money back.”
“The game wasn’t rigged,” Knox told her gently. “We don’t cheat. Your brother was just a poor poker player.”
Whether she believed Knox or not, it was hard to say.
“I don’t even know why I told you all that,” she whispered. “I’m just a toy to you, aren’t I?”
“That’s where you’re mistaken.”
Knox took that opportunity to slant his mouth over hers.
Earlier, he had only gotten a taste of her. He wanted, no needed more. She responded, hesitantly at first before relaxing into the kiss. Leah parted her mouth and he thrust his tongue down her throat. She gripped his left bicep. Her intoxicating scent of vanilla and lavender wrapped around him.
Knox pulled away first, knowing if this continued, Leah would no longer be a virgin by the time they reached his apartment. He always prided himself on his self-control, so it stunned him how easily it unraveled when it came to her.
“I shouldn’t be kissing you,” she whispered.
Leah furrowed her brow. She looked torn between her desire and hatred for Knox.
“Why? It felt good, didn’t it? Don’t lie to me. I can see your tits hardening under your sweater.” Knox bet if he unbuttoned her jeans and slipped his hand past her underwear, he’d find her soaking wet for him.
“I can’t want you. You’re dangerous,” she whispered.
“So are you.”
“Me?” Leah asked, sounding baffled. “You can break me in two with your bare hands if you wanted.”
“Why would I want to do that? I want you underneath me, screaming out my name in pleasure.”
Leah’s cheeks and neck turned pink.
“Speechless for once, kitten?” I asked.
“Don’t call me that.”
“Why not? You obviously have claws and you’re aren’t afraid to use them.” The car came to a halt. Knox looked out the windows and recognized the street he lived on.
“We’re here,” he told her.
“What’s going to happen next?” There was a hint of fear in her voice but there was also something else. Curiosity.
“You’ll see,” Knox told her with a smile. He got out of the car and opened the door for her.