Cruel Vows

“Who was that?”

“Adrik Volkov,” I murmur, yanking her over to our table on the far side of the room

“Where are we going?”

I don’t respond to her pointless question and stop in front of the table we’re supposed to sit tonight for the meal. “Sit down.”

She doesn’t disobey, sitting behind her name tag. “Who was that guy?”

“An enemy.” I sit next to her, loosening my bow tie slightly. “A dangerous one.”

Paisley squirms a little in her seat. “That device is worse when sitting.” Her eyes find mine. “Are you going to turn it off?”

“Are you going to behave?”

She pouts at me. “I always behave, sir.” Sarcasm drips from her tone, but I offer her relief—for now.

“Don’t give me a reason to turn it back on.”

She leans forward on the table. “So, why is he so dangerous?”

I shake my head. “I won’t discuss it here.”

“Is it because he kissed my hand?” There’s delight dancing in her eyes again and I’m starting to think my princess is enjoying tormenting me.

“No,” I huff, reaching for the bottle of wine on the table and pouring myself a glass. “The others will join us any minute, so shut that pretty mouth before I make you come in your panties.”

Paisley grabs her glass and tilts it toward me, expecting me to her pour her some.

I raise a brow. “You’re underage.”

“So what?” She waves the glass expectantly. “Don’t tell me that you sell women for a living, but giving some wine to your underage wife, that’s where you draw the line?”

I chuckle, as when she puts it like that, it sounds ridiculous. “Just one, though. As I want you alert and sober for later.” I pour her the glass and she sips on it, gazing at me over the rim.

No matter how badly she tries to fight what this is between us, it’s quickly becoming clear that she feels it, too. A deep and dark pull toward each other. Every time we’re alone, we can’t keep our hands off each other.

I signal for her to move closer to me, and she does.

“Why don’t we play a little wager, princess?”

Her eyes flash at that. “What kind of wager?”

“I turn on the device and play with it throughout dinner. If you manage not to come, you can be in charge tonight.”

Her eyes light up at that. As I know, she’s been gagging to get some control in the bedroom.

“If you do come, then I do whatever I want with you.”

She licks her bottom lip as if that excites her, too. “You’ve got a bet.” She holds her hand out.

I shake it, smirking as I turn the device on to level six, the highest she’s experienced yet.

She jolts from her seat, sinking her teeth into her bottom lip. “Just out of interest. What level is that?”

“Six,” I say smirking. “Only another four to play with.”

Her face turns a little pale as she reaches for her glass of wine, taking a long sip. “Bring it on.” Despite the confident remark, her tone is less arrogant than before.

Paisley is going to lose this bet and once she does, I’m going to play with her in ways she’s never experienced. Tonight should be fun.