“Please,” I say, my voice low and pleading. “I won’t seduce you or anything.”
A soft smile plays on his lips. “But I might try.”
“Would that really be such a bad thing?” I scoot over and pat the bed. “Come on, birdie. Just lay with me. It might be the only way I can rest. You’re the only one who seems to be on my side these days.”
Talon meanders into the room, shutting the door behind him. He doesn’t take his eyes off me as he crosses the space, his muscles rippling with his movements. The corded veins in his arms pulse, and I pull the blanket down, so he gets under it instead of lying on top. I don’t want the barrier between us.
Talon silently climbs into bed and opens his arms, inviting me into them. His warmth is like a comforting blanket, and I want to bury myself against him and breathe in his intoxicating fragrance, like fruit and spices, with a hint of his lavender laundry soap—a cologne that will linger for days.
I rest my head on his chest and stroke my fingers over his torso, mapping out the grooves of his prominent abs through his shirt. I’ve only seen him without a shirt once at a pool party, but it’s something I’ve never forgotten.
“You know, I was against the punishments they offered you. I almost punched William in the face for it. I would’ve risked death had Christos not stood up and took your place. I’m so fucking sorry, Stacia. The whole situation was fucked up.” Talon mumbles the words, keeping his voice low as if he’s afraid of someone overhearing him.
“I’m glad you didn’t. I don’t want you in that position ever. Not for me. I knew there would be consequences for my actions, and as much as I despise the idea, I can handle myself.” I stroke my fingers up and down his stomach, enjoying how his muscles react to my touch.
“I know you can, wild child. And what you did, picking Knave—that was brilliant. That’ll hurt Christos forever.” Talon tilts his head, brushing his lips against my hair. “He’s a piece of work.”
“I won’t lie. It was so fucking satisfying to watch.” I tip my head up and meet his blue eyes. “It doesn’t make up for what he did to me, but damn.”
He chuckles. “Is that a new kink unlocked?”
Warmth pools between my legs as our conversation shifts from all the fucked up shit to something more personal. I think about his question for a moment. A part of me loved seeing Christos give Esteban a blow job. Partly, it was the act itself. Because Esteban is hotter than I’d like to admit, not to mention the size of his cock, completely smooth, his well-groomed body is something I appreciate. The other part of me loved that Christos did it for me. It had to take a lot for a straight man to agree to such an act in the presence of others. I can’t help but wonder what went through his head. I mean, Esteban is bigger than him. That probably hurt his masculinity as much as me choosing Esteban hurt his heart.
Revenge is fucking sweet.
“It definitely is a new kink for you. You’re blushing. Your nipples are hard as fuck.” Talon’s blue eyes darken with both amusement and lust. He drags his gaze from mine to my boobs, staring at my pebbling nipples through my shirt. Fuck I love the way he does it.
“Maybe it’s just your closeness, birdie,” I say, my soft voice turning flirty. “Have you thought of that?”
He shifts slightly, playing with my dark hair, moving it off my shoulder. “You didn’t react until I brought it up. You loved how the fucker deep throated him. How he didn’t gag.”
“Until he swallowed.” A laugh escapes my lips.
“Damn, okay. New kink might not be your ex sucking cock. It’s something darker. Huh, wild child? Does revenge turn you on?” Talon rubs his fingers over my arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps behind.
I can’t stop from smiling. “It was just so perfect. Is that psychotic? I just...it felt so good that he had to do something humiliating. That he chose it.”
“He could’ve taken the cane.” Talon rolls onto his side, stroking his fingers over my cheek.
“What would have you chosen?” I prop up on my elbow, facing him, watching as Talon’s gaze trails down to my lips.
“For you, either one. I don’t know if you realize this, but you’ve been my biggest challenge. I’ve wanted you since the day we met. It has taken everything in me to ignore my attraction. I have been staying away to help, but after how His fucking Majesty just stood by and...fuck Kenneth. I don’t care anymore. He’s lost all my respect.”
Leaning closer, I close the space with only an inch between our mouths. I don’t know if I should push him. I’m afraid that once everything settles, his mind will clear, and he might regret this. But I also want to do something to piss off my dad. Because Talon is right. He is the king of our chapter, and he could’ve stood up for me. He could’ve done something. Instead, he let a twisted, perverted man try to degrade me. He is just as responsible.
“And the fact that he even questioned you...” Talon clenches the blankets in his hand, his muscles tensing as his anger rises. “You didn’t deserve that.”
“It is what it is. I should’ve expected it.” I tip my head slightly, bringing my hand up to comb my fingers through Talon’s, soft dark blond hair. “But I don’t want to think about it anymore. I just want to put it all behind me. I want to forget.”
Talon stares at me in silence, a dozen emotions crossing his face. He wants to kiss me. He craves to kiss me. But a part of him resists.
Closing the space completely, I caress my lips to his, testing his reaction. He admitted he was afraid of seducing me, but how is it seduction when I’m ready and willing. I thought about this hundreds of times. And this kiss is just as sweet as the only other one we shared before.
He moans against my mouth, easing away. “Stacia...”
I expect him to stop.
I expect a rejection to follow my name.