Page 31 of Hurts So Good
We’d practiced a few kisses yesterday, but this one held heat, and his lips were soft and warm. Our tongues gently met, but the kiss quickly melded into something much hotter than I’d ever felt from him. He turned his head, deepening it—drawing out the heat of it into this wave of passion threatening to topple me over like a damn tidal wave.
Shivers slid down my body all the way into my core. As he abruptly ended the connection, I locked eyes with Ronin, and my heart rate kicked up a few notches.
Fuck! I was not ready for this evening’s events.
CHAPTER FOUR
Corbin
Ispotted Tru and Ronin via my security camera as soon as they hit the sidewalk, heading up to my play space. Despite their masks, I knew the way she moved. Even her movements around her apartment, when she thought no one was watching, were sensual.
Just the other night, I had gone on a walk after Ari had fallen asleep and ended up back outside her home. Watching her lithe body dance around her kitchen to whatever music was playing through her earphones were moments I would not soon forget. Dressed in a white tank top and boxers, she grooved across the tiny room, and then Ronin showed up, stopping my show.
I’d discuss that with him later.
“Hop up, Beauty. We’re gonna have some fun.” Ari poked her bottom lip out in the cutest pout and snuggled more into her spot on my lap. This was why I had a lounge chair in front of the security cameras—there was plenty of room to play. “Now you’re gonna cross your arms?” Ari pouted harder. “I don’t think so. Scoot or no play for you tonight.”
Placing her on her feet, I snagged her hand and pulled her down the basement hallway, past our medical and blood play areas. A few screams and several moans later, we rounded the corner. Thank god because these two kinks were not mine. Killing a man was one thing, but playing with the blood—that turned my stomach.
“Hey there, Tru!” Ari said, running in front of me and toward her. She grabbed both of the girl’s hands and began to babble away.
That mask and outfit Tru had on—the woman cleaned up well—very well.
Sliding up beside Ari, I glanced at Ronin standing next to her. Of course, we’d never met in person. However, I knew all about Ronin. He was not the man he was pretending to be.
Wonder how much Tru knew about the real Ronin?
His street cred spoke volumes, so much so that Carlos wanted me to cozy up to him and see if I could pull him into our organization. But fuck Carlos, I wanted him to work with me.
“You must be Ronin.” I stuck out my hand to shake his.
Playing the ‘nice guy’ after all this time felt…odd.
Ronin gripped my hand tightly. “Nice to meet you. Corbin, right?”
I nodded, plastering on a fake pleasant smile. “Nice to meet you as well and to put a name with a face. Ari has mentioned you both several times. So, this is your first time at Le Petit Espace?”
“Yeah, but not my first rodeo.” He held up a small black bag, which could only be full of toys and accouterments.
“Ah, I see. Do you have a preference for your play space?”
“Well, the way Tru’s eyes were following the scene on the cross, I think I’d like to begin there tonight. Is this the only area with a Saint Andrew’s Cross?”
“Actually, if you walk through our dining area, there is a cross in the back room. It should be available because it is only used for when Ari and I play, but you are welcome to borrow it.”
A huge, evil smile formed on Ronin’s face. “That will do just fine.”
“Come. I’ll show you how it works. It has a few extra features.” A chuckle escaped my mouth before I could stop it.
CHAPTER FIVE
Tru
Ari’s voice hit my ears again. I knew she was excited and speaking to me, but the delectable want was still coursing through my veins.
Panicking a bit, I focused on Ari’s face. I forced my eyes to take in her outfit because I needed some sort of small talk to fall into right now, or I could blow our cover.
“Look at you…” I pulled in a purposeful, deep breath. “You look like a Roman Goddess.”