began to weep, big soul-wrenching tears. She cried as if her heart were breaking. Without a second thought, Seth gathered her up in his arms, settling her on his lap.
“Chastity, honey, are you okay? Wake up, baby.” But the drug she had taken refused to release its hold. Pressed taut against his chest she seemed to take some comfort as she again whispered his name and snuggled closer. In time, her sobs died. Still, the irregular sniffling that accompanied a crying spell shook her body with every breath she inhaled. Gently, he wiped her remaining tears away, pressing his lips to her forehead.
Confused and dismayed, he wondered how he could feel so much compassion toward this woman, a woman who felt so right in his arms—yet in the same breath loathe her, want to destroy her.
For almost an hour he held her, caressed her. Felt her skin against his, smelled the clean, sweet scent that was uniquely hers. And, he tasted her. Gently kissed her minty35
Mackenzie McKade
fresh lips, trailed the featherlight kisses he knew she liked along her jawline to the sensitive spot behind her ear, and onto the hollow of her neck. The soft mewing sounds she made as her back unconsciously arched into his touch was a kind of agony he had never anticipated. Even after all she’d done, he still wanted her. Seth eased her off his lap and back onto the chaise, stood and stretched. Her body, so close to his, had brought back old memories, old desires—ones that were best forgotten. What had he gotten himself into? Willpower flew out the window when it came to Chastity.
Control. He had to get his shit together. See this week through. And then get on with his life. He just had to remind himself that she had already proven untrustworthy. In fact, she had decimated him.
“Seth?” Chastity’s voice was drowsy and oh-so sexy. It flowed over him like sweet red wine, intoxicating and inviting.
One word had brought him to a dead halt, sent his pulse racing. He faced her.
“Yes?”
Eyes closed, she stretched her long limbs, reaching, her chest pushed out invitingly. Rosy nipples peeking through leather called to him. The vision of sexuality thundered through his groin, promising an exquisite pleasure that heated his blood. Then her heavy eyelids opened, pulling him like a magnet into their depths. Desperation crashed down upon him. He had to get away, break the trance she had over him. But the more determined he was to refuse his desire, the more fierce his need to possess her. He wanted her beyond reason. Past the realm of madness. Chastity rose into a sitting position. Her ruffled hair had that just-been-deliciouslyloved look. Her lips were shaded a delightful pink from his earlier kisses.
“We need to talk.” Such a sweet, guiltless voice, more lies he couldn’t stomach. Seth’s body stiffened. If he didn’t leave now he might never get out whole.
“You had two years to talk to me. The time for talking has passed.” Bitterness was his only hope. Hastily, he headed for the door, allowing the sound of metal sliding against metal to consume him as it automatically slid open at his approach.
“Seth!” Her cry of despair gave him pause. Slowly, he pivoted to face her. She stood before him, her eyes swollen and sorrowful. “Can’t you give me ten minutes?”
Anger knotted his stomach. His body trembled with emotion. “I gave you two years .” He turned and walked through the exit, the door sliding closed behind him. For what seemed a lifetime, Seth stared at the metallic barrier—just one more thing wedged between them.
36
The Game
Chapter Four
As Chastity stepped off the transporter, she saw her four male escorts had already exited and stood impatiently on the transport platform of Ecstasy Island. Arms crossed upon broad chests, an identical frown of displeasure plastered on their faces. Four angry glares pinned directly at her were not a good sign. A bevy of activity bustled around them—teleporters transferring luggage,
“Chastity, honey, are you okay? Wake up, baby.” But the drug she had taken refused to release its hold. Pressed taut against his chest she seemed to take some comfort as she again whispered his name and snuggled closer. In time, her sobs died. Still, the irregular sniffling that accompanied a crying spell shook her body with every breath she inhaled. Gently, he wiped her remaining tears away, pressing his lips to her forehead.
Confused and dismayed, he wondered how he could feel so much compassion toward this woman, a woman who felt so right in his arms—yet in the same breath loathe her, want to destroy her.
For almost an hour he held her, caressed her. Felt her skin against his, smelled the clean, sweet scent that was uniquely hers. And, he tasted her. Gently kissed her minty35
Mackenzie McKade
fresh lips, trailed the featherlight kisses he knew she liked along her jawline to the sensitive spot behind her ear, and onto the hollow of her neck. The soft mewing sounds she made as her back unconsciously arched into his touch was a kind of agony he had never anticipated. Even after all she’d done, he still wanted her. Seth eased her off his lap and back onto the chaise, stood and stretched. Her body, so close to his, had brought back old memories, old desires—ones that were best forgotten. What had he gotten himself into? Willpower flew out the window when it came to Chastity.
Control. He had to get his shit together. See this week through. And then get on with his life. He just had to remind himself that she had already proven untrustworthy. In fact, she had decimated him.
“Seth?” Chastity’s voice was drowsy and oh-so sexy. It flowed over him like sweet red wine, intoxicating and inviting.
One word had brought him to a dead halt, sent his pulse racing. He faced her.
“Yes?”
Eyes closed, she stretched her long limbs, reaching, her chest pushed out invitingly. Rosy nipples peeking through leather called to him. The vision of sexuality thundered through his groin, promising an exquisite pleasure that heated his blood. Then her heavy eyelids opened, pulling him like a magnet into their depths. Desperation crashed down upon him. He had to get away, break the trance she had over him. But the more determined he was to refuse his desire, the more fierce his need to possess her. He wanted her beyond reason. Past the realm of madness. Chastity rose into a sitting position. Her ruffled hair had that just-been-deliciouslyloved look. Her lips were shaded a delightful pink from his earlier kisses.
“We need to talk.” Such a sweet, guiltless voice, more lies he couldn’t stomach. Seth’s body stiffened. If he didn’t leave now he might never get out whole.
“You had two years to talk to me. The time for talking has passed.” Bitterness was his only hope. Hastily, he headed for the door, allowing the sound of metal sliding against metal to consume him as it automatically slid open at his approach.
“Seth!” Her cry of despair gave him pause. Slowly, he pivoted to face her. She stood before him, her eyes swollen and sorrowful. “Can’t you give me ten minutes?”
Anger knotted his stomach. His body trembled with emotion. “I gave you two years .” He turned and walked through the exit, the door sliding closed behind him. For what seemed a lifetime, Seth stared at the metallic barrier—just one more thing wedged between them.
36
The Game
Chapter Four
As Chastity stepped off the transporter, she saw her four male escorts had already exited and stood impatiently on the transport platform of Ecstasy Island. Arms crossed upon broad chests, an identical frown of displeasure plastered on their faces. Four angry glares pinned directly at her were not a good sign. A bevy of activity bustled around them—teleporters transferring luggage,
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