Page 5 of Allegiant

“Like how I did that?” I purr, turning back to face him. My hand lands on his chest, resting over his thudding heart. “Care to tell me why you have a knife in your pocket? You gonna kill someone?”

I’m teasing, of course. Despite his size and the aura of danger around him, I doubt this man will hurt me.

Even if I kind of want him to. If he did, maybe I’d get some respite from the pain living inside me. I wouldn’t mind feeling something other than this dark, nagging agony I’ve been holding on to. It’s suffocating me.

Choking me.

“You kinda look like a killer.” I continue mischievously, not letting the unwanted thoughts infiltrate my mind. I’m going to focus on this guy, right here.

Right now.

A smirk spreads slowly over his face. “Shouldn’t that make you run away, little dancer?”

It should. It really should.

But something tells me this high I’m chasing will be the best distraction yet.

2

ROWAN

We flirt like that for several minutes, my hand brushing the now-empty sheath that held his dagger. I like the reminder that this man isn’t what he seems. Danger never used to call to me, but I’m not the same person I once was. I should know to ignore it, but it’s a siren. I can’t resist it.

Besides, this is what I need right now. To play with fire that might burn me a little. Enough to forget.

My fingers skim up the skin of his torso, and I feel the muscles beneath as the easy banter flows between us. His abdomen clenches under my touch. His chest heaves as I drag my fingers down to the waistband of his pants.

The temptation to slide them down rides me hard. Almost as hard as the desire to sink to my knees and take what is, hopefully, a fabulous cock between my lips.

But, of course, we can’t do that here. Not in the middle of Rounds. I may be a patron here, and one who comes very often, but even so, I don’t think they would let me do that out in the open.

No, I want to take him somewhere private, somewhere I can have at it.

At him.

I lift onto my tiptoes with a grace I usually save for the stage. Something about this guy has me wanting to show off. “I know a place…”

He grunts at the heat of my breath against the shell of his ear. “What kind of place?”

The corners of my lips curl up as my fingers clench the front of his jacket. I want to peel him out of it, want to see the body beneath it. I know it’s impressive—from what I can feel, anyway.

This is a man who works out, who takes care of himself.

I want to see it on display, like art in a museum.

I want to be the one to sit back and admire.

“How about you just wait and see?” I ask and then tilt my hips forward, letting my hardening cock grind against his. His lashes flutter, his hands coming up to grab onto my biceps. I feel the cut of his nails against my skin—a bite. A promise.

The things he could do to me… To my body.

I shouldn’t feel safe with him. He’s been watching me from the shadows, and he had a dagger in his belt. But oddly, I do. Safe enough to leave with him, anyway. I don’t think he’ll hurt me.

If he does…well, that thought doesn’t bother me as much as it should. The only thing that can’t take any more pain is my heart, and no fucker is getting near that. Doesn’t matter how hot they are.

I’ve learned my lesson there. It was painful. Soul-destroying.

One I’m determined never to repeat.