Throne of Vengeance (Throne Duet #2) by Rina Kent

His head tilts until it falls on my shoulder. I suck in a deep breath, but all I manage to inhale into my lungs is his masculine scent mixed with the wine.

He wraps an arm around my waist, and tingles erupt under my skin. I slowly close my eyes, taking in the sensation. Why does it feel so good to be in his hold? It’s not even about sex. I just love being in his arms like this.

“Straight home, miss?” Katia asks from the driver’s seat.

“Yeah,” I say without opening my eyes.

“Since you weren’t able to do what you planned for the afternoon, should I clear your schedule for tomorrow?”

“No, not yet.”

I think I must fall asleep, because the next time I open my eyes, Katia is calling my name.

Kyle untangles himself from around me, and I try to ignore the loss. I expected that Katia would have to help me carry him upstairs, but he staggers on his own.

“Get some rest,” I tell her and follow him.

I try to hold his arm to keep him standing, but he pulls it from mine.

That’s the second time he’s done that tonight, and I can’t control the lash of my tongue. “I’m just trying to help you.”

“I don’t need your help,” he slurs.

“Well, excuse me for trying.”

I stomp ahead of him toward the room and throw my bag on the bed as soon as I’m inside. My blood is boiling as I remain standing in front of the mattress.

I don’t move until I hear the click of the door behind me.

His quiet voice fills the room soon after. “Is having a child with me such a tragedy?”





26





Rai





The air ripples with a fatal type of tension, one that suffocates and throttles, one that confiscates not only air but also common sense.

Although a significant distance separates me from Kyle, it’s like he’s wrapping his fingers around my throat and backing me against the wall.

Is having a child with me such a tragedy?

Why did he say those words with that dead tone? Why does he feel close and far away at the same time? I’m still not over the rejection from when we sat down for dinner or in the car. Strange emotions I’ve never felt before slam into me all at once and from all directions.

“What are you talking about?” I ask slowly, almost fearfully as I face him.

He pushes off the door and staggers toward me. His voice is sobering up a little, but he’s still obviously drunk. “Isn’t that why you’re getting rid of it?”

“I just…” I trail off when he stops in front of me. He’s larger than life, and I still stop and stare whenever he’s this close. The smell of alcohol wafts off him in waves that hit me in the nostrils. He’s definitely wasted.

He stares down on me with half-droopy, sexy eyes. Their blue, however, appears dark and deep, almost depressed. “You just want to get rid of it?”

“That’s not—”

“Fine.”

“F-Fine?” How can it be fine?

“Yes, fine. Do as you wish.”

“I don’t need your permission.”

“I’m well aware of that.”

God. His meek tone is getting on my last nerve. But instead of shouting and getting in an argument this late, I rein it in. “Let’s talk in the morning when you’re sober.”

“One last time.”

“What?”

“Let me have you. One last time.” He grabs me by the nape and lowers his lips to mine. At first, his kiss is slow, sensual, but then it intensifies, tongues clashing and his lips devouring mine. It’s almost…desperate.

And I share that desperation. He’s kissing me after he rejected me—twice. I probably shouldn’t be feeling this way since he’s drunk, but my emotions seem to be scattered all over the place, and this is the only right thing in my reality.

Kyle lowers the zipper of my dress and slides it down my arms with frantic movements. It pools at my feet, leaving me in only my underwear.

He unclasps my bra with expert deft fingers, and I gasp as they brush against my breasts.

“Fuck, baby. You’re so beautiful.” He lowers his head to latch onto a nipple and I arch my back, head rolling. The feel of his stubble on my breast creates unbearable friction. My nipples tighten into hard buds as he bites down and sucks on them with a ravenous rhythm.

Beautiful. I smile internally. He thinks I’m beautiful.

The rejections from earlier aren’t important, after all. They meant nothing.

I hold on to that idea as I try to undo his belt, but I’m not fast enough and my movements are clumsy at best. I was never good with this type of stuff, but I want to be. For him, I want to give back as much as I take.

Kyle tries to take over the task, but I shake my head, my voice too wanton for my own ears. “Let me.”

Steadying my hand, I finally finish unbuckling the belt. He kicks the pants and his boxer briefs away. I reach for his buttons, but I barely undo the first two before he rips at his shirt, sending the buttons flying everywhere.

I swallow as his sculpted chest comes into focus. This view will never get old.

Kyle places two fingers under my chin and lifts my head, breathing harshly as his eyes clash with mine. They’re raw and intense, and I’m not sure I like what I see there. Behind the lust, there’s a sense of sadness that I want to eradicate.