Revealing the Monster (Playing with Monsters #4) by Amelia Hutchins

Devlin appeared in front of me, offering his hand as I moved down the stairs to stand at the bar. Releasing his hold, I smiled at the look of laughter burning in his gaze. I didn’t care what anyone said; the opening had gone off smashingly.

“Honestly, Lena, I don’t think anybody saw that shit coming,” he laughed. “Lucian is impressed, oh Mistress of Chaos.”

“Good, he should be. I did more for these people than he would have done. They’re enjoying the show.” I looked around as I felt shadows moving about, creating a hum within me.

My attention shifted to the stage, and there, seated on an oversized chair, was Spyder. He wore a white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing the tattoos covering his forearms down to his knuckles. His piercing, icy-blue eyes were on me, watching me with a predatory hunger that caused my entire body to tighten with need. His hair looked blue instead of black beneath the stage lights, making him appear otherworldly—as if he needed any help in that department. His lips curved into a wolfish smile, as if sensing my body’s reaction to his presence.

Lips brushed against my neck, sending a shiver of need rushing through me. Lucian’s enticing scent smothered the air surrounding me, causing heat to pool in my stomach and between my thighs. The hand he placed on my waist made butterflies erupt into flight, battling against one another to escape. I didn’t take my eyes from Spyder’s, knowing that if I looked away, he’d vanish.

“Your twenty-four hours start now. In this room, you belong to Spyder, Lena. Do you understand?” Lucian asked, causing me to shiver with need.

“I understand you, Lucian. And when we leave here?” I asked, needing to know the rules.

“You will see, won’t you? Anything goes tonight. You’re ours and nothing more than a toy we are going to enjoy breaking,” he whispered huskily, placing a soft kiss against my neck. “If he asks you to fuck him on that stage, what is your answer?”

“Yes,” I stated, without needing to think about my answer. “I am Spyder’s, and he has control inside this room.”

“Good girl, Lena. You might want to get a drink first. Take him one as well,” he ordered, stepping away from me.

“Are you planning to watch?” I asked, still staring into Spyder’s predatory gaze.

I knew exactly what Spyder was doing. He wanted me to fail and back down from what I’d demanded we do to ease the bond and sever it. He didn’t think I’d do this, but I’d known it was coming tonight. I’d felt him all night, grinding on his end of the bond we shared. He was nearing the end of the clock, and now was the time for action.

“And miss you showing him up? Never,” Lucian admitted, slapping my ass. “Move, Lena. You either choose this and no longer care what people think about you. Or you still care and will decide to back down. Unless you can prove to Spyder that you want this, he won’t agree.”

I moved away from Lucian without waiting for him to say more or grabbing Spyder a drink. It wasn’t fear making me hesitate. It was how much I actually wanted this to happen that terrified me. I wasn’t scared or feared them sharing me. Whether it was the furies fueling my desire, or my own sexual need to experiment, I wanted it to go down.

The music changed to Bishop Briggs’ River, the rhythm of the music matching the swagger of my steps perfectly. I’d chosen the song to play tonight, knowing that Spyder would grow impatient, unable to remain in the shadows where he’d hidden all day, hoping to hear or sense my fear about my plan unfolding. Moving up the stairs, I paused in front of his chair, placing my hands on my hips as I stared into his light blue gaze.

“Hello, Kitty. You look nice tonight. Black suits you.”

“I’d look better on your face,” I said huskily. “How may I serve you?” I was planning to fuck with him while I could. He’d pissed me off by staying away, which hurt me, too. The look burning in his eyes was pure monster.

“Come here, and prove to me you don’t care who knows that I’m going to wreck your fucking pussy, Lena. Everyone in this room knows you belong to Lucian and what you mean to him. They’ll never forget what you do tonight and that he allowed you to be used by someone else. That shit spreads faster than a virus, seeping into every dark corner of our world. You may think you’re strong enough to endure it today, but what about tomorrow when the sun rises and you’re no longer craving me?”

“You think I care what anyone else thinks? In this room, everyone is as sick and twisted as we are. Will I care if they know I fucked you? No. Because the only opinions that matter to me inside this room are yours and Lucian’s,” I announced loudly, uncaring that the entire room listened to us. “I await your orders, Master. My pleasure is yours to give or take. Use me, for I am yours tonight, and only tonight.”

“Get on your knees, and sit, Kitty.”

I slowly lowered myself, dropping my eyes to the floor as I had been taught. I felt everyone watching, realizing that I’d declared myself Mistress and was now being subdued. I’d planned it, knowing that Spyder would think I was too strong-willed and prideful to submit. Idiot, who didn’t want to get bitten by this Spyder?

Slowly, he began unbuttoning his shirt, freeing a wealth of muscles that tempted me to rise, kissing my way to his lips. I trembled with need, which he was probably assuming was fear. He snorted, sliding forward to lift my chin with one finger.