Chapter 14
fourteen
Gentry
Gentry blissfully dreamt of nothing. Perhaps Drayer Netherton was too exhausted to torment her with nightmares the way he had at Sophia’s orphanage, or maybe he was busy buying the entirety of Skadra’s nomads to hunt for her.
Either way she appreciated drifting in the abyss, relaxing, even if she was on the floor.
She knew it was a terrible idea to sleep in the same room as the witch who’d tried to kill her, but one could only run on adrenaline for so long.
So she had to rely on the Favors to keep Kit at bay. The ancient magic had done her well so far. While she wasn’t so sure of loopholes, she did think it kept the witch from trying to snap her neck again.
At least, that’s what she thought until she felt warm, strong arms lift her up. The cloud of relaxation broke as she snapped her eyes open.
Ice-cold fear ran through her as she realized Kit had her cradled in his arms like a baby. Before she could struggle, he gently set her on the bed, which felt every inch like it belonged in an acclaimed five-star hotel.
“What’re you doing?” Gentry growled, her aggression softened by grogginess. For being so freaked out, her body hadn’t seemed to have gotten the memo.
“A lady shouldn’t be sleeping on the floor,” the witch said, sounding like an old-school gentleman, but Gentry woke right up when she realized he wasn’t wearing a shirt.
Kit was cut in the way where she could tell he used his body for work, his arms corded with muscles and every bit of him sleek and dangerous.
Even in the dim light of the hotel room, it made a healthy dose of pure desire stir inside Gentry.
It didn’t help that he looked at her like she was something to eat.
It also irrevocably pissed her off that he thought such an obvious trick would work on her.
“My bag—”
“—is right where you left it, darling. Promise.” Without taking his eyes off her, Kit hooked a thumb towards the wall where she’d been guarding it. Sure enough, it looked exactly how she left it.
“See?” he murmured. “Nothing to worry about. Now let’s get you settled.” He dared caress her cheekbone like she was an animal to be gentled.
The tiny amount of physical contact set Gentry’s body on fire. She clenched her legs together, her denim jeans providing enough friction to make the situation worse. She gritted her teeth. Five years of celibacy had been too long, but she needed to regain control.
She’d be damned if her streak were broken by a smooth-talking cowboy witch assassin.
Kit’s hand was still on her cheek, but he’d stiffened like he hadn’t expected her response.
“You know, I would’ve thought you’d tell me to stop already.
You really should. Aren’t I one of those filthy witches you hate?
Letting me touch you seems counterintuitive.
” His thumb pulled her bottom lip down, exposing her teeth.
Rather than his words killing the mood, it murdered the last remnants of Gentry’s self-control. Her body burned with want. Fuck this. She knew when someone was running a con on her. Especially a novice like Kit. But fuck if it wasn’t working. She wanted the gorgeous man to touch her.
It was time to show him how a con was really run.
Gentry put his thumb in her mouth and sucked. She bit lightly and let go, enjoying the way Kit’s eyes widened with surprise. She nuzzled his hand and caught his wrist, guiding him to hold her throat.
Just as she predicted, his hand went slack, applying no pressure where she’d like it the most. “What’s wrong,” she purred, “I’d actually like it this time.” She ran his hand between her breasts and down her stomach and released his wrist just before it went too far.
Kit pulled his hand up as if she’d burned him. “I won’t do that. Not again. I won’t hurt you.”
God, but he sounded sweet and so desperate. Hiding her surprise at his sincerity, she smiled up at him and delivered the final blow. “Then I’ll settle for a kiss since you’re not man enough to give me what I really want.”
The words worked like a charm. Kit’s eyes narrowed. He looked equal parts pissed and turned on. “Fuck. You are crazy,” he said before fisting her hair and pulling her up into a sitting position.
Gentry’s scalp burned wonderfully and she bit back a moan, particularly as he stepped between her spread legs in a single smooth motion.
His erection provided the friction she needed, and her legs wrapped around his waist instinctually.
He lifted her up by her ass, not a second wasted. Kit was a man on a mission.
Feeling deliciously manhandled, Gentry’s brain hardly had time to keep up when Kit crushed his lips to her own.