Page 94 of Savage Ambition

She gave me a kind smile. “Sure. I’ll wait for you here.”

I hurried back and knocked before entering the suite.

Dante stood in the center of the room with my phone, a towel slung low on his hips. Water droplets traced paths down his torso, drawing my attention to the angry red indentations where the steel bones of the corset had pressed into his skin.

Without the breastplate, his chest was hard planes and muscle. My fingers itched to touch him again, chasing the memory of his soft curves.

He still wore the long wig tied up in a messy bun. Dark strands escaped to frame his face, softening his sharp jawline. His beautiful makeup created a stark visual contrast with his flat chest.

“Forget something?” He rotated my phone in his hand, his thumb caressing the screen. “Or did you want another look at me before you left?”

I tracked a water droplet sliding down his ribs. “Sorry, it must have fallen out when my pants hit the floor. Thanks for finding it.”

“Looks like I’m not the only one who wants you tonight.” He held up the phone, showing four missed calls from Jace. “Your friend seems more desperate for your attention than normal.”

“What are you talking about? He doesn’t want me like that.” Dante’s smirk fed the tension churning in my gut.

“No? Then why is he blowing up your phone while you’re fucking me?” Dante stepped closer, holding my cell out of reach. “Maybe he suspects you’re with me.”

I extended my hand. “Please give it back.”

“Make me.”

He raised it above his head, well out of my reach. Even without the six-inch heels he’d worn earlier, I couldn’t grab it. The movement caused his towel to slip lower, revealing the sharp cut of his hip bones.

“Real mature,” I muttered, trying not to stare at the trail of dark hair disappearing beneath white terry cloth.

“All you have to do is take it.” Dante’s challenge hung heavy between us.

I jumped for it, knowing I’d fail. He caught me around the waist with his free arm, pulling me against his damp chest.

“Let go,” I said, pressing against him. His towel did little to hide his growing interest.

“You sure that’s what you want? Because your actions are telling me something different.” His fingers slipped beneath my shirt, tracing the same path he had explored earlier. “Maybe you should stay. We could give your friend something to complain about.”

“Knock it off,” I snapped.

“As you wish.” He walked me backward until I hit the wall, his hand slipping my phone into my back pocket before gripping my hip. “What would Jace say if he could see you now? His precious friend, ready to beg for the man he hates.”

My protest died as Dante crashed his lips against mine, swallowing my words. He traced the seam of my mouth, then pushed inside.

I shoved against his chest. “Stop, I need to go, or they’ll charge me.”

“Let them charge,” Dante murmured. His teeth caught my bottom lip, the sharp sting melting into pleasure as his tongue soothed the bite. “You can afford it.”

The reminder of paying for him sent a conflicting wave of shame and arousal through me, yet I couldn’t make myself pull away.

“Clock’s ticking,” he taunted. “Every minute costs you. Is this worth it?”

“Fuck you.” My words were defiant, but my body arched closer to him.

“Again?” Dante laughed against my throat, teeth scraping over my pulse. “That’ll be extra.”

I reached up, tucking a stray dark strand behind Dante’s ear before gripping the back of his neck and tugging him down.

The risk of getting caught and being charged thousands more drove the kiss deeper. Each punishing kiss pushed me closer to saying to hell with the consequences.

“Next time,” he whispered, “I won’t let you leave at all. And that will cost you everything.”