Page 38 of Queen of Misfortune (Shadows of Redemption)

“Too bad, Princess. You’re going to sit here and tell me what the fuck is going through that pretty little head of yours.”

“So now you think I’m dumb?”

I push her until she plops on the couch. Then I stare at her, wondering how she came up with the idea that I think she’s dumb.

“No. Why would you say that?”

“Pretty little head… that indicates that you think I’m dumb.”

I roll my eyes. “I don’t think you're dumb. Irritating, yes, but?—”

She starts to rise, but I step up in front of her, glaring at her with an expression that should tell her I’m not having it.

“You’re like a petulant teenager,” I say.

“And you’re an overbearing?—”

“Toady, yes, I know.”

She purses her lips. “I was going to say oaf, but Toady works too.”

I cross my arms. “What’s your problem?”

“You.” She turns her head away.

Deciding she’s not going to run, I sit on the couch next to her. “Is it Giuseppe?”

She frowns at me. “It’s not your business?”

I remember how I kissed her the other night and then how she tossed the drink on the man tonight. I felt like she’d been into the kiss with me. She hadn’t slapped me or reacted like she had with that dickwad tonight. But maybe I’m wrong. Maybe she is putting on a strong front but deep down, she worries I’ll touch her again.

“Are you afraid of me? Because you don’t have to be. What happened the other night—that won’t happen again.”

Pain crosses her beautiful face, but it’s fast, barely perceptible before she’s got her cool, indifferent mask on again.

“Oh, you made that clear.” She looks away.

I’m confused because it almost sounds like she’s upset that I won’t kiss her again. “What do you mean?”

When she looks back, there’s no missing the anger or the pain underneath it. “You’re the worst, Donovan, do you know that? Why do you hate me? Why do you torment me? Is this some plan you’ve concocted with Niko to make me leave?”

I stare at her in total incomprehension. “There’s no effort to make you leave, and I’m not tormenting you. If anything, it’s the other way around.”

“Can I go now?” She starts to rise, but I stop her. At first, I prevent her from standing, but the effort brings me close to her. So close that I can see the depth of her dark eyes so filled with sadness. So close that I can inhale the scent of her… sweet and spicy. So close that I could taste her sublime lips if I just dippeda bit closer. The need for her is a rush of adrenaline. It drives me forward until my mouth consumes hers.

12

LUCIA

What is happening? Why is Donovan kissing me again? Is this more punishment? More trying to keep me in my place? Better yet, why aren’t I stopping him?

Like before, his tongue slides along the seam of my mouth, coaxing my lips to part, which they do. His tongue dances with mine, and it’s shocking how something like French kissing can feel so divine. It’s just a kiss, but my entire body has lit up. Neurons are firing. My blood is pumping.

And then his hands begin to roam, and my body turns into liquid fire. Hot. Pliant. I should be stopping this, but I’m too weak to fight against the need Donovan brings out in me. The need to be seen. The need to be touched. How strange that he’s the one who can make me feel that, is the one I want to make me feel that.

He pushes me back on the couch as his lips trail down my neck. “You’re so fucking sexy. I nearly came in my pants when I saw you on the stairs.”

“You did not,” I say on a gasp as he tugs the bodice of my dress down and my breast pops out.