Chapter 157
Noah
The first vibration hit low and sneaky, like a warning shot–just
enough to make my spine lock. I flinched, champagne trembling in
my hand. Lexie laughed like I’d told a joke.
I sucked in a breath and tried to smile. Okay. Okay. I can handle this.
But when I risked a glance
across the room, Aiden’s eyes were already across the
on me. Narrowed. Calculating. He lifted a single finger to his lips-
shh–and the buzz died. Relief washed over me so fast I almost
sagged.
Then the bastard did it again. Stronger. Quick pulses that made my thighs twitch and my knees weaken. I bit down on a curse, lips
twitching into a laugh I didn’t mean. Lexie pressed closer, slipping
her arm around mine, and right on cue the vibrations climbed.
Oooh, you son of a bitch. My jaw ached from grinning. My chest burned with the effort of acting normal.
I dared another glance. Aiden hadn’t even turned his head–still locked in easy conversation with William and two other men in suits
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-but from the corner of his eye, he was watching me. And that
smirk… that evil, private grin.
Lexie leaned against me, warm and soft, and the plug kicked harder,
steady now, relentless. I went rigid, nearly spilling my drink down the
front of my shirt.
She looked up at me with a sweet smile that cut like a knife. “Noah,
are you okay? You look a bit flushed.”
“I–uh–I’m fine,” I stuttered, voice cracking like a kid at puberty.
Sweat prickled under my collar. My skin was on fire. I tried to take
another sip of champagne just to look casual, and that’s when he hit
me with a long, merciless surge. The glass shook so badly bubbles
spilled over the rim.
My vision whited out for a second. I laughed too loudly, heat crawling
up my neck, my body jerking like I’d stepped on a live wire.
Lexie tilted her head. “You sure?”
“I just–excuse me, I need to use the bathroom.” I blurted, setting the
glass down before it shattered in my hand. I bolted toward the
hallway, pulse racing, desperate to escape before I embarrassed
myself beyond repair.
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I stumbled down the hall, heart ricocheting, and slammed a door
behind me. Hands on the sink, face in my palms, I stared at my
reflection and tried to summon dignity.
I grabbed my phone, typing furiously.
Very funny, Sir–are you enjoying this shit?
I exploded because I couldn’t help it.
Oh, immensely. He replied, calm enough to drown in.
As you have probably guessed by now–this is your punishment.
I dropped my forehead to the cool porcelain and laughed–an ugly,
helpless sound.
You’re an asshole. You love this. I’m going to die, and I’ll thank
you for it later.
I let myself breathe for a sliver of time, counting seconds, willing my hands to stop shaking. Maybe I could walk back in, paste the smile on again, and pretend nothing happened. Maybe Aiden would let me be normal and keep the toy off for the rest of the night.
When I opened the door, Lexie swept me away to a balcony that
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looked over manicured gardens and glittering lights. Cold night air
was better than the heat burning my cheeks.
She leaned in, voice sugary. “You’re doing great. I can tell you’re
nervous, but relax. Tonight’s fun–promise.” She tucked her hand
through my elbow and pulled me toward a small circle of her friends.
As she laughed, the plug thrummed again–tiny, intermittent pulses
that made me do a little hop and clamp my thighs together. I felt
ridiculous. I felt electric.
Across the lawn, Aiden’s stare found me. He was deliberate–tapping
a few keys, eyes glinting like a man with a private joke at someone
else’s expense. He didn’t need to smile. He had the room, the joke, the remote, and I had a goddamn cage on that kept me from coming, no matter how much he tortured me. I was not gonna forgive him for
this shit.
I wanted to punch something. I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to crawl
into a hole. My emotions were a riot.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
