Page 129 of Inflict

He moved forward an inch. “Ready, set …”

Evelyn swallowed hard. “You better make it worth it.”

Oh, he would.

Did she really doubt him?

Connor murmured, “Go.”

He didn’t need to tell her again. Evelyn bolted, heading around the opposite side of the island with an almost sly grin on her face as she dared to glance back at him. Connor didn’t move at first, letting her at least get to the entrance of the kitchen before he went after her.

Evelyn looked back again, slowing at the entrance.

Connor stalked around the island, already pulling his shirt over his head and letting it drop to the floor as he walked forward. Might as well make it easier on himself.

He couldn’t say the same for her.

“Run, pretty lass,” Connor taunted, “because once I catch you, it’s going to be all for me, then.”

Evelyn’s breathless laughter echoed back into the kitchen as she disappeared into the hallway. “For me, too.”

Of course.

Even when it was for him, it was still for her.

With his shoes already off, he quickly kicked off his slacks, leaving him in nothing but boxer-briefs as he jogged out of the kitchen. A quick trip down the hallway, and he found Evelyn waiting at the bottom of the stairs, staring back in his direction.

“Aye, you’re being cute today, thinking I was joking,” Connor said. “We’ll see how you feel in about ten minutes or so.”

Evelyn let out a squeak before stumbling up three stairs. She just managed to gain footing by the time he was already on her, grabbing her around the waist and yanking her off the stairs entirely. Her shout ricocheted off the walls, followed by Connor’s dark laughter. She kicked and bucked in his hold, trying her damnedest to get out of his embrace, and failing just the same.

“I gave you a chance, remember that,” he told her.

“It’s not fair, you’re stronger than me!”

“Should have found a place to hide; I have no patience to play games.”

“Oh, you … you—”

Connor flipped a still struggling, yet laughing, Evelyn over his shoulder, the skirt of her flimsy dress flying wildly and leaving her behind bare but for her black knickers. Unable to help himself, he smacked her arse with his palm. “Just say it, lass. And that’s one.”

Evelyn let out a heated laugh, the sexy, almost airless quality betraying her next insult. “Asshole!”

He slapped her backside again, a bit lower, where the curve met her thigh. She tightened in his embrace, stiffening from the sting before her body relaxed even more. “You need a new insult.”

“It fits.”

Connor held tight to Evelyn, even as he strolled through the kitchen, heading for the windows. She slapped his back, though the force barely stung, as he yanked the curtains closed. They were the only ones that might allow someone to see in.

Then, he grabbed the satin rope that was used to tie back the curtains.

“What are you going to do with that?”

Connor smirked. “You know.”

“You said you were going to—”

“And I am, and I’m going to make it easier on myself while I do it.” He could already feel her prepping for another slur to hurl at him. “Remember, lass, get a new insult to say.”