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“You know what they say, packmaster.” He smiled a little, and stepped back, resolved that for tonight, he’d leave her wanting, aching for him. Let her desire flare. “All’s fair in love and war, and the line between love and hate is dangerously thin.”
Her wolf eyes flashed in challenge.
“Do you want to risk it?” He grinned, his gaze raking over her, blazing a trail of heat in its wake. He didn’t need to caress between her legs to know she was wet for him. He could smell it on her, practically taste her sweet heat on his tongue.
“Tell me,packmaster,” he growled her title like she belonged to him, or he belonged to her. He wasn’t certain. “Can you walk that line without stumbling across? Because I don’t think you have that kind of resolve in you. Not now that I’ve been inside you.”
She bristled, angry with him, but still wanting. “We’ll see about that.” She crossed her arms over her chest. A poor attempt to hide her erect nipples beneath.
But it was too late, he’d already noticed them. Wished he could suck each one into his mouth until she was crying out again.
Lord, it would be a long, lonely night for them both, but he’d make the payoff worth it.
“You’re right. We’ll see.” He cast her a wry grin, before he turned, and whispered. “Goodnight, Frankie,” he said, leaving her standing there alone on the sidewalk.
Frustrated and full of wanting.
“You’re awfully confident for a man who barely knows me,” she called after him as he made his exit.
Jace turned and cast one last smirk toward her. “Oh, it’s not confidence, Princess. It’s reality that you want me. I know you do,” he called back. “And given enough time, I’ll prove it to you.”
Frankie couldn’t possibly have knownwhat that sinful promise could mean, until she arrived in her office the next morning in a now empty K9s, only to find a delicate satin-lined box on her desk. Jace hadn’t returned to the Imperial where she was still holed up as her apartment was cleaned. She hadn’t expected him too, of course, and she’d known better than to ask him where he was headed when they’d parted ways last night.
But now, the black satin box waited for her. It’s branding and label crisp and pristine, a sign of its luxury quality.
She deposited her purse on the edge of her desk and opened it first thing, her heart racing at the possibility of what she’d find inside.
The interior of the box was lined with pink silk, revealing the lacy matching bra and panty set beneath. The lingerie was a stunning ruby red. The same color as her old salsa costuming, and exactly her size. As she lifted the undergarments from the box, a small note on thick, matted cardstock fell out. She grabbed it from the desk and read the inscription.
Since you like playing dress up. Maybe you’ll wear this for me?
There was no signature, but she didn’t need there to be.
The jewel shade said it all. There was only one person who’d seen that old photo of her recently. She glanced down at the lingerie again, trying not to smile or act giddy. The color was such an exact match it was uncanny. How had he—?
“Is it from Amarok?” The sudden sound of a woman’s voice drew her attention.
Startled, Frankie’s gaze shot toward the door, where Jeanine was smiling and wiggling her shoulders suggestively. Of course, she’d likely been the one to place the box there, though Jace had clearly managed to be discreet about who its sender had been.
Frankie blushed, feeling her entire face turning beet red, an impressive feat considering her olive complexion. Shoving the lingerie back into the box more forcefully than necessary, she snapped, “Not now, Jeanine.”
Her secretary only smiled knowingly, and grinned before exiting.
Later that afternoon, when it came time for her and Jace’s training, Frankie cast the now closed lingerie box onto the empty bartop. At this time of day, K9s was entirely empty. Eerily vacant and quiet. Save for the two of them.
“Lingerie, really?” She lifted a sculpted brow.
Jace shrugged with a nonchalance that was both delicious and infuriating. “You didn’t strike me as a flowers kind of woman. Not after last night.” His gaze raked over her, taking in the low-cut pantsuit she wore. It showed off her cleavage perfectly. “Seeing you play queen was...” He considered her for a long moment. “Interesting. Made me figure fancy is kind of your thing.”
“That’s an interesting observation.” She shrugged casually, before pinning with him a stare full of challenge. “Considering you said it wasn’t yours.” He’d made that clear when they’d booked the room at the Imperial. It’d struck her then how different they were, but she hadn’t had the courage to point it out or explain it.
Jace smiled at her, a devilish grin. “Just because fancy isn’t my thing, Princess, doesn’t mean I can’t spoil you for my own pleasure.”
She sucked in a sharp breath, though she hoped he hadn’t heard.
“If you give me the chance, that is.” His gaze raked over, lingering on that exposed bit of cleavage.
She was suddenly aware of exactly how much this suit showed, but she wouldn’t apologize for it. She wouldn’t bow down to those who thought that because she was powerful meant she couldn’t flaunt her sexuality, claim her prowess. Use it like a weapon when it suited her, even.
