The Skull Crusher (Skull 2)

“You think he will?”

“Eventually. He’ll negotiate to get Cassini back.”

“And will you give her back?”

“Depends.”

“On what, exactly?” he asked.

“What he’s offering. And how valuable she becomes.”

I stepped off the elevator at four in the morning. My pockets were emptied, and my valuables were placed on the entryway table. My eyes turned to the couch, wondering if Cassini would be there like last time.

She was.

She’d been asleep just a minute ago, but the sound of the elevator stirred her. She’d been waiting for that beep to tell her I was home, and now that I was in the building, she could relax.

I walked over to the couch, a gloating smile on my face. This woman had only been here for a short time, but she was already dependent on me in many ways. Clearly, I made her feel safe because the second I was gone, she was uncomfortable. Knowing she needed me for something was a turn-on, especially when she tried to pretend that wasn’t true.

She sat up and tucked her hair behind her ear, her eyes heavy from exhaustion as well as the rest she’d just had. She looked at me before she looked away, clearly ashamed by my arrogant smile. “I fell asleep watching TV. I wasn’t—”

“Liar.” I looked at her baggy t-shirt and boxers and wished I could rip them both off. My dick seemed to always be hard around her because I’d been unsatisfied for so long. Jerking off wasn’t cutting it. I’d never been a fan of masturbation in the first place. I’d always preferred real pussy to the imaginary pussy I could replicate with my hand.

I scooped my arms underneath her body and lifted her from the couch. Light as a feather and with the softest skin, she was a perfect fit in my arms. I cradled her against my chest then carried her down the hallway, feeling her body heat against mine.

Her arm immediately circled my neck as a flash of surprise crossed her face. But she allowed me to carry her down the hallway and into her bedroom. Her eyes moved to my neck before they narrowed.

I set her on the bed then straightened, hoping she would invite me between her legs. But when I saw the pissed-off look on her face, I knew that wasn’t going to happen.

“Out with one of your whores tonight?” She scooted away from me until she was in the center of the bed.

My head cocked slightly at the accusation.

“Don’t give me that bullshit speech about your integrity. I can see the damn lipstick all over your neck.” She scooted back against the headboard, trying to get as far away from me as possible. “If you think I’m going to fuck you without a condom when you’re screwing whores, then forget it.”

I recalled the moment Yvonne kissed me on the neck. Her bright-red lipstick probably smeared against my neck, and now it marked me like a tattoo. My fingers reached up and brushed the area. When I stared at my hand, I could see the paint on my skin.

She rolled her eyes. “Say what you want about Lucian, but at least he didn’t pretend to be something he wasn’t.”

I didn’t want to be compared to that man, especially when he was painted in a better light. “I didn’t sleep with anyone tonight.”

She rolled her eyes. “I don’t believe you.”

I was annoyed she didn’t believe me like everyone else, but her jealousy was entertaining. She didn’t like the idea of me being buried between another woman’s legs—at all. “I was at a strip club tonight.”

She slowly turned back to me, her arms crossed over her chest.

“I met with one of my spies. He informed me that one of my drug dealers isn’t fairly distributing his profits. When he left, one of my regular whores came over. She snuggled into my side, kissed me on the neck, and offered to suck me off. I turned her down.”

Cassini kept staring at me, the rage burning like a bonfire.

“Then I came home.”

“You expect me to believe that—”

“I don’t give a damn if you do. In fact, watching the jealousy torment you is very entertaining. If you want me all to yourself, then take me. You want my fidelity? Then ask for it. We both know you want it.”

She looked away, her arms tightening over her chest.

“If you don’t want another woman to fuck me, then you better start riding my dick. A man can’t be tempted when he’s satisfied. That’s my best advice to you.”

“Get out.” Her voice came out weak, like she lost her fire.

I wanted to confess that she was the only woman I’d been with since the night we met. My cock hadn’t been tempted by anyone else because she was all I wanted. But that information would give her too much power. I would much rather hear her demand my monogamy than freely give it to her. Much sexier that way. “Whatever you say, baby.” I moved to the door.