Page 50 of Beguiled

His approval was faint but for someone who’d studied him endlessly, unmistakable. As I’d felt from the beginning, the air between us held a sharp edge. We’d both taken to challenging each other without words.

In seeing his glimmer of amusement, I was torn with how I felt about him. On one hand, I should feel intimidated, even fearful of what he could do to me. Including making me disappear as he’d described with the men he’d killed. But on the other, the knots had faded from my stomach, replaced with a string of butterflies.

From wishing he would touch me as he’d done before, but with more intent in mind.

Correction, more carnal intent in mind.

The air between us crackled with electricity even with the cold reality we lived in two different worlds. He moved closer, infusing the current with waves of desire, leaving my mouth dry and an almost desperate need to kiss his lips blocking out all common sense.

“Especially in my… alternate world, Saige. Your beliefs about who I am mean little now that you’ve stepped into my world.”

“Why is that?”

“Because once you’re inside, there is no turning back.” The challenge shifted into an opportunity lingering in the air.

“What if I don’t want to turn back?”

He finished crowding my space, towering over me in a way that should be unnerving. But the sweeping sensation of pureexcitement was as confusing as before. Including how the rush of heat between my legs created a deep, explosive throb.

“Then I’d say you’re playing with fire.” He took my wineglass from my hand, allowing his fingers to linger against mine for a little longer than necessary.

I couldn’t move a muscle as he placed the glasses on the table. I also couldn’t seem to look away, which I should do to break the hypnotic spell he had over me.

Maybe if I did, my pulse would return to normal and the ache in my nipples would finally go away.

But I didn’t.

“That’s what my mother used to accuse me of doing.”

“Did she now?” When he slipped his warm palm against my cheek, the tiny moan escaping mortified me.

“Yes, along with telling me I was a bum magnet.”

The heavy weight of his stare lightened, the tiny creases by his eyes softening. “Your mother is very intelligent.” His thumb brushed back and forth across my skin and I could feel my body swaying.

Every word passing through his lips was dripping with innuendoes, something that should alarm me. What was I doing instead? Wrapping my hand around his shirt. Everything about this man was unnerving, but his touch alone did things to me that I couldn’t explain.

As he lowered his head, he did so with hesitation. His hold on my face became more possessive, the tips of his fingers digging into my skin. “You’re making a mistake.” His voice dropped enoughto remind me of how dangerous both the man and the situation were.

“I try never to do so. My boss doesn’t like them.”

The corners of his mouth lifted enough my stomach did a few little flipflops.

The moment he slipped his hand behind my neck, his grip became completely possessive. As he’d told me moments before, there was no turning back.

He captured my mouth, holding our lips in place long enough for me to catch my breath. But I had a feeling I wouldn’t be allowed another chance at backing away.

He offered few choices to anyone. When I didn’t pull away, he yanked me onto my toes, sweeping his tongue inside. I had no idea what to expect from him, including his level of passion.

I would think him completely unforgiving in everything he did. When he was controlling in a way that made me feel as if I was being cherished instead of being taken, I was thrown more than anything else he could have done.

My brain was screaming that I needed to put an end to this, to stop the madness before it got out of hand. I found it interesting that my body wasn’t paying any attention. In fact, I was leaning into him, the hunger driving everything else away.

Forget common sense. I had to be out of my mind.

Being swallowed whole by him was the only thought I could concentrate on. I could easily see myself falling hard for the man, which was completely ridiculous. Yet as he rolled his other hand down my back, I was completely aware of how intense the throb in my pussy had grown.

Without warning, the kiss changed. No longer soft and inviting.