19. .... steal a kiss?

Kayla.

A tight, dry lump formed in my throat, and I swallowed hard, trying to force down the sudden surge of adrenaline.

This was it. This was exactly what I had been waiting to hear, the very words I had prayed for.

It was the perfect, golden opportunity that had eluded me for so long, finally presenting itself. I needed to get close. I needed a single, unguarded moment to be near enough to strike, to slip beneath his defenses.

Yet, as much as my heart screamed to seize it, I knew I couldn't accept his offer too quickly. To yield without a fight would look suspicious; I had to play the part of the reluctant captive.

Whore? The word echoed in the silence of my mind, but it failed to sting. Honestly, I couldn't care less what he thought of me, nor did I care about whatever arrogant nonsense was spilling from his mouth. His insults and opinions were entirely irrelevant. None of it was my business.

All I wanted—the single, burning desire that kept me breathing—was to kill him. And right now, he had graciously handed me the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Still, a sudden throb of pain distracted me. The spot where his teeth had sunk into my flesh earlier still stung sharply. It was a lingering, burning ache, but worse than the pain was the strange, pulsing sensation that radiated outward from the wound. It was a bizarre, confusing warmth that ran through my veins, something I barely understood.

Forcing my expression to remain blank, I masked the wild, hammering excitement in my chest. “Yes, Alpha,” I said, my voice slipping out in a quiet, submissive murmur.

Before the words had fully left my lips, Seth lunged forward. His large hand clamped tightly around my waist, his fingers digging in as he violently yanked my body against his. The instant our skin met, a wave of profound disgust washed over me. It took every ounce of my willpower not to flinch from the sheer loathing of his touch. I really couldn't wait to carry out my agenda.

“That’s more like it, Vixen!” he said, as he stared deeply into my eyes, searching for compliance.

He led me to the bed, and I lay down as instructed, my body stiff. Every second felt like an eternity; I really couldn't wait for him to close his eyes.

He immediately also lay on the bed, and I adjusted my position, subtly scooting toward the far edge of the mattress just to ensure he didn't come any closer to me.

But it was entirely pointless. Seth instantly closed the gap I had created, wrapping his heavy hands firmly around my waist from behind.

“You are to remain closer to me, Vixen!” he whispered into my ear. “Don't push your luck,” he added.

I stared at the dark wall and rolled my eyes in sheer annoyance.

Couldn't he just sleep and shut up?

And surprisingly, Seth didn't make another sound. The arrogant threats ceased entirely, replaced by a heavy, rhythmic quiet.

It was as if a switch had been flipped, and he had instantly fallen asleep. The sheer speed of it was incredibly strange, happening so suddenly that it felt almost unnatural.

How could someone so alert just a moment ago drift off this quickly?

But regardless of how bizarre his sudden unconsciousness was, I knew I had absolutely no time to waste questioning it.

Every passing second in this bed, trapped in his suffocating hold, was a second too long. I desperately wanted to get the hell out of this bed, away from his heat and far away from his touch.

Moving with extreme caution, I turned around slowly to face him, keeping my breathing as silent as possible. Sure enough, his eyelids were shut tightly, his features finally relaxed. To be absolutely certain, I lifted my hand and waved it slowly back and forth in front of his face, searching for even the slightest twitch.

There was nothing. He was really asleep.

A wide, triumphant smile spread across my face. Moving with practiced stealth, I reached up and immediately pulled out the sharp, wooden hairpin I had carefully tucked into my hair earlier. It felt cold and lethal in my fingers.

Holding my breath, I leaned closer to his massive frame. I moved my hand with agonizing slowness, aiming the sharp point of the pin directly toward his exposed neck, right where his pulse fluttered. I was so incredibly close to stabbing him, mere inches from ending his life, when his eyes suddenly snapped open. Before I could even register the trap, he lunged and claimed my lips in a bruising kiss.

My eyes widened in sheer shock. The suddenness of his movement shattered my focus, and the hairpin slipped from my numb fingers, falling straight to the ground.

Seth pulled me flush against him with terrifying strength, our bodies colliding with a heavy impact. I could feel the hard expanse of his bare chest pressing tightly against mine, trapping me.

I tried pulling away from the kiss, thrashing against his lips, but his grip around my waist was firmer, locking me in place like steel bands. He deepened the kiss like a madman.

“I knew you wanted me, Vixen!” Seth murmured in between the rough kisses, his voice thick with smug satisfaction. “Why bother acting tough?” he asked.

He didn't give me the chance to answer. He kept kissing me, and slowly his hand moved down to my thigh, effortlessly raising my leg up and crossing it over his waist.

He pulled out from the kiss and stared down at me.

“You want to steal a kiss?” He paused, and a sly smile spread across his face, as he stared at me. “How about serving me properly tonight!” he added.

I froze.

No way! I am not going to do that.