A Worthy Opponent (Wicked Villains 3)

“Lot for her to take.” Beast watches me closely. He might be a few inches shorter than me and built leaner, but he’s not one I’d happily turn my back on outside of this place. Having both him and Gaeton in the same room for this scene is a risk. Even now, they stand on either side of Malone, as if they need a buffer to even occupy the same space.

Fuck, am I making a mistake? I pin him with a look. “Are you two going to play nice?” If they wreck the room, Hades is going to kick my ass.

“We’ve put aside old … grudges … recently.” Gaeton grins, but not in a way that convinces anyone standing here. “Haven’t we, Beast?”

“More or less.” Beast might be the only person in this place who can get away with wearing jeans and a plain T-shirt, but somehow it just works for him. He holds my gaze, his blue eyes almost eerie in the low light of the hallway. “Regardless, we’ll behave tonight.”

It’s as good a promise as I’m going to get. “Then let’s get started.”

I open the door and am gratified to find Tink exactly where I left her, kneeling with her head bowed. The fire backlights her, and fuck if the view doesn’t steal my breath for a second.

Gaeton bumps his shoulder against mine and waggles his eyebrows. I glare, but it’s hard to maintain my distance when I’m anticipating what’s to come.

I let Tink hear me walk to her as the others spread out. I guide her slowly to her feet, keeping a hand on her hip to ensure she doesn’t wobble. “Tell me your safe word again.”

This time, she doesn’t hesitate. “Pirate.”

“Good girl. Let’s get started.”

Chapter 9

Tink

There is nothing like a blindfold to change the face of a scene. I wasn’t lying when I said I trust Hook with my body, but not being able to see what’s coming has anticipation and a delicious lick of fear curling through me. There is only one true rule in the Underworld, but there have been times in the past when people broke it. When someone was threatened or harmed because of an ignored safe word.

I might be facing down a tsunami of fear at the thought of what the future holds, but I know right down to my bones that Hook won’t do anything tonight that I’m not 100 percent into.

I just don’t know what he’s going to do.

His big hand comes to rest at the back of my neck. Not gripping, exactly. It’s more of a steadying touch and hell if I don’t lean back into it. He’s my rock in the sea of blackness, the one thing I can be sure of in this room. His voice sounds in my ear, low and intimate. “I’m feeling particularly generous, so I’m going to give you a series of choices tonight.”

It’s a trap. It has to be.

I lick my lips. “Okay.”

“First up—pain or pleasure?”

I strain my ears, but I can’t sense anything except him at my back. I suspect he left the room when I heard the door open and shut, but I’ve also seen that trick set up to only seem like the Dominant left their submissive unattended. The agony of waiting without knowing for sure is a special kind of foreplay.

If he did leave … What did he leave to do?

In the end, I can only answer him honestly. “Both.”

His chuckle rumbles through me, and I clench my thighs together in response. I’ve denied my attraction to him for so long, it’s as if it’s been building all this time, a volcano ready to erupt in a flurry of really impulsive fucking decisions. Even knowing that, I can’t stop. I’m trapped and afraid, and damn it, I’m going to take this little slice of pleasure for myself, and I’m not making a single damn apology for it.

I want Hook. It’s enough of a reason to take it.

His free hand catches mine. “Greedy girl. You think I won’t give you exactly what you want and more?”

“What I want is your cock.” The words burst free, a truth I’ve been actively ignoring for far too long.

“As always, my offer stands.” His mouth brushes my bare shoulder. “Providing you’re willing to get on your knees and beg.”

I know I’m going to get to that point. It’s inevitable. I want him inside me. I want him using his body to pound away my worries until we’re sweaty and exhausted and sated. I just plain want him. But I’m a prideful creature, and I can’t make myself beg. Not like this. Not yet.

I shake my head slowly. “No.”

Instead of sounding disappointed, his voice is downright delighted. “I thought as much. Don’t worry, beautiful girl. I said I’ll take care of you tonight, and I have every intention of following through on that.” He pauses, the moment filled with anticipation. I can’t help holding my breath as Hook releases my hand, though he keeps the heavy weight of his palm against my neck. He strokes his thumb down the side of my throat. “Since you can’t have my cock, I’ve arranged for several substitutes.”