Ravaged By Passion

“You asshole,” she says, shoving me, but I catch her wrists and turn her. I slam her up against the wall and she sucks in a sharp breath. Her ribs still hurt and she’s favoring her right side, and instantly, guilt lodges itself in my guts. She struggles, but I don’t release her. I’ll have to be gentler for a while, but gentle doesn’t mean soft. I don’t do soft.

“I’m not paying you because you had a shitty life,” I say, nearly whispering as my lips graze her ear. I don’t know what I’m doing or why but I want my mouth near hers right now, and based on the way she’s breathing fast and not kneeing me in the crotch, I think she likes it too. “I’m paying you because I value the people that work for me. Now, I think you should say thank you instead of acting like a spoiled brat.”

“Spoiled?” she breathes, shocked.

“That’s what I said, princess.”

Her teeth click together and she stares at me. I’m inches away, my mouth yearning for hers. I haven’t stopped thinking about that kiss in Malcolm’s office, the way she moaned, the way she wriggled her hips. I thought she was acting at the time, making a show of it, but looking back now, I realize she didn’t even understand what was happening at first. From her perspective, I really was coming on to her—

And she fucking liked it.

I know she did. She can lie and pretend all she wants, but my hand cupped her pussy and I felt it dripping wet through her thin panties. She was slick and warm and wanted nothing more than to feel my fingers slide deep inside of her.

“I won’t thank you, if that’s what you’re waiting for.”

“You don’t have to say the words. Just keep looking at me like you want me to rip your clothes off like I started to back in Malcolm’s office.”

Her eyes widen, and I’m about to tease her more, but someone clears their throat nearby.

I release Jeanie and step away. Olivia’s watching from halfway down the hall, smiling sweetly. Casso’s wife is petite, dark skin, dark hair, the daughter of a Mexican drug lord and our direct line to illegal product. She’s in ripped jeans and a white blouse and her hair’s pinned up.

“Sorry, was I interrupting something?” Olivia comes forward and holds out a hand. “I heard someone new was staying in the house and I wanted to introduce myself.”

“Jeanie, this is Olivia, Casso’s wife. Liv, this is Jeanie.”

“Nice to meet you,” Olivia says, beaming sweetly. Behind that smile is an extremely smart and shrewd woman that knows exactly what she’s doing right now. I’m trying not to laugh as Jeanie gathers herself, shakes Olivia’s hand and gives her best smile in return.

“Nice to meet you too.”

“I know this family’s a little overwhelming and overbearing, what with all the kids running around and the staff and guards and Elise—have you met Elise yet? No? You will—and anyway, feel free to come chat with me anytime. I mean that.”

“Thanks,” Jeanie says, and yes, overwhelmed is a good word for the way she’s blinking rapidly at Olivia and looking at me for help. She must be feeling extremely awkward after being caught with my lips so close to hers. That gossip will spread around the house very quickly and exactly nobody will be surprised to hear it.

“I was just giving Jeanie a tour of the house,” I say but Olivia walks past me and slips an arm through Jeanie’s elbow.

“Oh, I can do that,” she says sweetly, pulling her away. “I’m sure she’s already sick of you.”

Jeanie looks back at me helplessly and I only wave. “Good luck,” I say and Olivia laughs and begins to chatter away, telling Jeanie about the staff, the various rooms they’re walking past, and soon they disappear around the corner at the end of the hall.

I glance back and notice Casso standing in his doorway. “You set that up, didn’t you?”

He shrugs, grinning. “Might’ve.”

“She’s not some moon-eyed farm girl, you know. You won’t scare her away with kindness. Olivia’s not going to intimidate her.”

“Maybe not, but I can try.”