17. Bash
Chapter 17
Bash
“Get out!” Stasia grits through clenched teeth, pointing to the street. She’s alight with fire as she stomps up the stairs toward me. Fuck, she’s beautiful when she’s angry. Her hair’s pulled up in the tight bun she wears when she’s at the studio. I’d watched her for an hour as she danced with her eyes closed, her movements graceful with each turn. I wanted to go in, to lift her in my arms before she could stop me, but I knew that wasn’t the place to have the discussion we’re about to have. She ignored my texts on her way home, and I must be crazy because I got more excited with each one I sent. I texted her the entire way home.
She’s still pointing down the steps like I’m a dog that’s done something wrong, and I take my time looking her up and down. Her sculpted legs are hidden by loose pants, but it’s the jacket that catches my eye. Satisfaction courses through me. I knew it was a good idea to steal that sweater. If I saw her in it once again, I don’t know what I’d do. Probably track him down. Then I’d have to explain to my brothers why there’s a mess to clean up.
My lips curve up in a cocky smile, knowing damn well this will drive her insane. “Aw, your love language is glaring and threats. I can work with that.”
Stasia stomps past me into her house, and I grunt as her shoulder connects with my sternum. She looks like fire when she turns on me, hands flying up and jerking like she doesn’t know what to do with them.
“What do you want?” Each word is clipped, sharper than a knife.
“Want? I thought that was obvious.” I close the door behind me and shrug, my casualness a stark contrast to her frustration.
“Argh! I can’t take it anymore.” She’s alight. I wonder if she realizes that it’s passion, not anger.
Her eyes narrow, and her fists clench at her sides. Maybe not. She may really try to kill me.
It’s too bad for her that I’m enjoying this so much. My gaze travels from her feet to her mouth.
Her anger blinds her to the fact that I’m stalking closer, careful not to spook my little hellcat.
I drop my mouth to her ear and breathe, “I think you’ll take it perfectly.”
She inhales a sharp breath and jerks back, but I catch her by the waist, holding her against me.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” She uselessly squirms to get out of my hold.
I chuckle, lining my body to hers and walking her backward until the islands pressed against her back, trapping her. “I may be playful, but I’d never joke about you.”
“Let go before I break your finger.” Her delicate fingers grip mine, and I can tell she’s really trying to hurt me. It’s too bad for her that she doesn’t stand a chance.
“Fuck. I could do this with you for hours.” I laugh, lowering my face inches from hers.
“You are delusional,” she hisses, and I narrowly miss her headbutt.
I bite my smirk and say, “You’ll grow to like it.”
“Sebastian Everette. Get out of my house.” She shoves me hard, and I let her squeeze out from underneath me. I track her as she moves through the kitchen and pours a glass of water.
My smile is a dare when she holds it up between us. Come on, Princess. Let’s see what you got. Break out of that perfect shell you’re always hiding in.
The water soaks my face and the front of my shirt. Satisfaction tingles my spine that I’m the one that makes her this way. I lick the water that drips over my mouth and watch the way her eyes focus on it. She’s caught in my snare, chest rising and falling as I rub my thumb over my bottom lip.
Her gaze shoots to mine, a flush curling over her cheeks. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“You shouldn’t have avoided me.” I take my time raking my wet hair off my face as I close the distance between us until her hands flatten on my chest, negating her protests. “But it worked out better than I had planned. Gave me the perfect excuse to come here. Not that I need a reason to see my girl.”
“Woah. I am not your girl.”
My lips graze the shell of her ear. “But you want to be.”
Stasia pulls at her hair until strands fall around her cheeks, then covers her eyes with her palms, taking several deep breaths. She’s still trying to get a hold of the situation when she finally looks up at me, her face a mask.
“Tell me the real reason you’re here.”
“Smart girl.”
Her brows are pinched together, lids lowered in a glare. She’s not going to talk until I give her an answer.
Adrenaline rushes through my veins at her challenge, and there’s a bubbling feeling of giddiness climbing up my throat. I’ve never felt like this before, and there’s no chance I’m letting her go.
I lean against the counter, my elbow resting behind me, supporting my weight. “I know you need that tiara.”
She sucks in a breath, a barely visible tremble rolling down her.
Tilting my head, I go on. “What I don’t know is what the Russians want from you.”
“How do you know that?” she whispers.
I stand tall. “That’s not what matters, Princess. What matters is they have something on you that has you so desperate you’re willing to risk your life for it. And I don’t like it.”
“I’m not telling you anything.” She’s shaking her head no as I walk closer.
“Sure you will.”
Her face scrunches. “And why in the world would I do that?”
I shrug. “Because I’m your best bet to get it.”
Her mouth drops open, and she moves toward me subconsciously.
Gotcha.
“Why would you help me?” Her voice is breathy, and a thin line forms between her brows.
“Because it’s fun.” I give her my most mischievous smirk. Like this is all a game, even though I’m no longer playing.
She sucks on her teeth, and I can practically see the wheels turning in her mind. “What do you want in return?”
“What makes you think I want something?” I inch closer until she’s nearly within reach. Just a little more.
A hand planted firmly on her hip, she waits until I answer.
I just keep liking her more and more. I’ll have to be careful, or she’ll realize she’s got me by the balls, not the other way around.
“I’m not asking for anything you can’t give me. Be my girlfriend so everyone gets off my back. My brothers have turned into real nags since they settled down.” Not a lie, but also not the reason I’m doing this. The more she’s with me, the deeper I’ll get my hooks into her. If she doesn’t love me right away, I’ll feed her with my body until she’s addicted to my touch.
“What if I don’t want to?” she responds flippantly.
I make sure she’s looking right at me so she knows I’m telling the truth. “Then I’ll tell everyone I caught you trying to steal from the Order.”
Blood drains from her face, turning her a ghostly white. I don’t like it at fucking all.
I take the final step, close enough to grab her. “You don’t need to worry. Just accept the deal, and you’ll get everything you want.”
She’s shaking her head, attempting to sort it out again. Sorry, Princess, you’re not figuring this one out. Not until I want you to.
“Why are you willing to steal from your brothers?”
I choke on a laugh. “We’re not. We’re stealing from the Order of Saints—completely different. Plus, why do they need a tiara? They’re already rich. What are they going to do with a tiara?”
“You don’t play fair.”
“True. I’d never trust me if I were you.” She will though. I’ll make sure of it.
She presses her palms into her eyes before pulling them away. “I can’t believe I’m considering this. What’s your plan?”
I’m inches from her now and use her confusion to mask my hands gliding up her arms.
“I know how to turn off the alarm.”
Her shoulders sag in relief, some of the strain in her face easing. “And you’ll help me if I pretend to be your girlfriend.”
“I never said anything about pretend .” I pull her toward me, capturing her mouth with mine. She holds her lips tight. I grip her neck, and she gasps, opening for me. I don’t waste time sinking my tongue and twisting it against hers. She responds so sweetly, and I eat her moans even as she pushes me away.
I raise my knee, pressing it to her core, and she sinks her nails deep. I groan when she pulls me closer.
One thing’s for sure: I’ve already won her body.
I place open-mouth kisses down her throat, taking my time to mark every inch of her. Her chest rises with each of her rasping breaths as I unzip her jacket. Her skin pebbles as I pull down her top as far as the fabric will let me, sucking the curve into my mouth.
Her fingers pull my hair, and I rock forward, snaking my arms under her ass and lifting her onto the counter. We only pull away to inhale before devouring each other again. She’s shaking in my hold, her cries growing louder. She’s so fucking close, and I won’t survive unless I see her come apart for me. I lower my hand to her core and press my palm against her clit. Her head falls back, mouth gasping as she tugs me closer.
“So close. So close. Please. I’m so close.” She begs for her release, and I’m more than happy to give it to her. I capture her mouth, applying pressure as she grinds herself into me. She’s trembling as her orgasm rolls over her and collapses her into my chest.
Music plays, and I want to scream when her phone rings. Her head lifts, confused, as she’s still lost in the afterglow of her orgasm.
“Someone has a death wish.” I slide my hand into her pocket, silencing it, but I can see her thoughts clearing as she comes to her senses.
I drop my forehead to hers, taking a deep breath, then place a gentle kiss between her brows. I desperately want to keep going, keep pushing her past the edge, but I’ll wait. Just a little longer. Until she’s the one begging for it.
“See, if you’re good, you get rewarded.”
“Fuck you.” She spits the words out.
“I plan on it.” I wink before walking out the door.
Leaving her like that is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.