Page 87 of Secret Redemption

“She thinks she is in love with you, you know,” K said darkly, as Zin turned his back to walk away.

He felt regret roll through him. Oh, how he wished he could be that man. “Then she is a fool,” he said and walked away.

Zin headed for the room he had been assigned to grab his gear. He needed some space and a few days at the clubhouse would work. His foot had hardly touched the stairs when he felt her behind him. He froze and dropped his head. Did she have no survival instincts at all?

He was at breaking point, and she was pushing him.

“Zin,” she said softly, and he felt his blood heat as her voice soothed his entire being. He had been careful not to let her touch him since he found out about her gift. Maybe he should let her see him for what he was, it would get her to wake up and move on.

“What do you want Celeste?” he asked harshly.

“I just wanted to see if you were okay.”

“I’m fine, just tired.” He felt her behind him and turned as she reached for him. Her hand grazed his chest, and her eyes went dark and hooded with desire as he stepped back. She was like a siren. The curves of the dress she wore accentuated her tiny waist, and the tattoos that ran a stocking line up the back of her thigh had driven him practically mad with lust.

“Please Zin, talk to me. We were friends, what did I do?”

His control was hanging on by a thread, the need to take her and mark her as his was like a living breathing force. “We were never friends dushka, you are like a puppy following me around wanting attention. I thought perhaps you had some sense, but no. What do you think? That you can fix the big damaged Russian with your sweet self?” He watched her pale at his hateful words and wished there was another way.

“You don’t mean that. You cared about me I saw it,” she said hesitantly as if she doubted her words.

“Tut tut tut,” he laughed cruelly. “That was not caring, that was lust! I wanted to fuck you, and I still do. So, if it’s a quick fuck you want then fine, otherwise leave me the hell alone,” he spat and turned as if to walk away.

“Fine, if that’s all I can have then I accept,” she said, and Zin thought perhaps the concussion he had received had knocked loose more than a few brain cells because he couldn't have just heard what he thought he had.

He felt her soft hand on his arm and spun around grasping her to him roughly, his voice when he spoke was a rasp, “Last chance dushka.” Her eyes shone with desire, her pupils narrowed, and her tongue came out to nervously lick her bottom lip. He was done, he would take what she was offering and damn the consequences. His mouth crashed down on hers in a branding kiss, meant to punish, but it quickly turned into something else as she softened, pressing her body to his as her small arms wound around his neck. She tasted like the most decadent sweet as he swept his tongue into her mouth.

Her groan had his cock hardening further, and his hands went to her hair, tilting her head as he deepened the kiss. Her tongue tentatively touched his back, and it was the innocence of the action that made him see sense. Wrenching his head back he pushed her away, both breathing hard. His eyes on the flush of her cheeks made his dick ache to get inside her.

“I don’t want this,” he spat nastily. “You just don’t do it for me.” Zin saw the hurt and denial on her face.

Then she stiffened her spine, and her look turned knowing. “I never took you for a coward,” she said, and turned on her heel, offering him a delicious view of those sexy legs as she strutted away, her hips swaying sexily as she did.

He needed more vodka, a lot more vodka, to dull the ache in his chest that was not made by any physical wound but by the one he had just lashed on himself. He couldn't help thinking he had just made a mistake that would haunt him for the rest of his life.