Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
She taps her hip.
I sit up straighter, my eyes lighting with inspiration. "Oh my god, yes! I can totally design something for you. Hold on, let me grab a pen."
Rummaging through my purse, I pull out a Sharpie and grab my sketchbook again. "Okay, what are you thinking? Flowers, stars, a quote maybe?"
As I start sketching out possibilities, a shadow falls across the paper.
I glance up to find Viper looming over us, his jaw set in a hard line.
"She's not getting a tattoo. Allegra isn’t like us, Iris. She’s classy. She’s not an ex-con or a whore," he says flatly.
I cock an eyebrow, meeting his steely gaze head-on. "Isn't that her choice? Allegra's an adult, Viper. If she wants a tattoo, she can get one."
I don’t even say anything about the whore, or ex-con remark…but when he calls me a whore, it gets me all hot and bothered.
I’m his whore.
His slut.
His little plaything.
The air crackles with tension as we stare each other down. I've never dared to challenge him so directly before, and I can see the muscle ticking in his clenched jaw.
"Not as long as she's living under my roof," he grits out. "End of discussion."
Allegra leaps to her feet, swaying slightly.
"Fine!" she snaps, glaring daggers at her father. "I'm out of here."
Before either of us can react, she's storming toward the door, snatching her purse on the way.
The slam echoes like a gunshot in the charged silence left behind.
I stare after her, my lips parted in shock. "Allegra, wait—"
But it's too late.
She's already gone, tires screeching against the pavement as she peels out of the driveway.
My phone chimes with an incoming text a moment later.
Going over to Jaxon's. Sorry to dip out on you.
I exhale slowly, dragging a hand through my hair.
Part of me wants to race after her, make sure she's okay.
But the other part, the part that's acutely aware of Viper's heated presence behind me, knows I'm not going anywhere.
Not when the air practically vibrates with unresolved tension, a livewire just waiting for a spark.
I turn to face him, pulse thrumming in my ears.
Our eyes lock, and I feel that spark ignite into an inferno.
"Where did she go?" Viper demands, his voice a low rumble that sends shivers down my spine.
I swallow hard, trying to gather my scattered thoughts. "She texted to say sorry for bailing."
The lie tastes bitter on my tongue, but I force it out anyway. "Didn't say where."
His eyes narrow, and for a moment I'm certain he sees right through me.
That he knows exactly where his wayward daughter ran off to.
But he doesn't press the issue, just takes a step closer, crowding into my space.
"I don't like it when you undermine me," he says softly, dangerously. "When you disrespect me in my own home."
My breath hitches, trapped in my lungs.
He's so close now I can feel the heat radiating off his body, smell the intoxicating scent of his cologne.
It makes my head spin, sets my nerve endings alight with a different kind of anticipation.
"Yeah, well, I don't like being this fucking horny all the time," I shoot back recklessly. In for a penny, in for a pound. "Knowing you're right there, but not being able to do a damn thing about it."
Viper goes preternaturally still, a jungle cat poised to strike.
His dark eyes glitter with banked hunger, with the promise of retribution.
Pleasure and pain inextricably entwined.
My heart pounds wildly against my ribcage, desire and trepidation warring for dominance.
I know I'm playing with fire, goading this dangerous man.
But god help me, I want to be consumed by his flames.
I want him to burn away every last shred of my self-control, until nothing remains but desperation.
Until I'm writhing against his sheets, begging for the sweet relief only he can provide.
The very air seems to shimmer between us, heavy with expectation.
With a baited breath, I wait for Viper to make his move, to cross that final line into uncharted territory.
And then he does.
In one fluid motion, Viper hauls me up against his hard body, crushing his lips to mine in a brutal, claiming kiss.
I moan into his mouth, my knees nearly buckling at the onslaught of sensation.
His tongue demands entrance and I grant it eagerly, the slick slide against my own sending licks of heat straight to my core.
Large hands grip my hips possessively, pressing me into the thick ridge of his erection.
"This what you want, baby girl?" he growls against my throat, nipping sharply at the tender skin. "Want me to fuck this tight little pussy 'til you scream? Wring every last drop of pleasure from this sexy body?"
"God, yes," I gasp, rocking shamelessly against him, chasing the delicious friction. "Please, Viper...need you so bad..."
With a muttered curse, he spins me around and bends me over the arm of the couch. Cool air washes over my heated skin as he rucks up my skirt, exposing my thong-clad ass.