Chapter 181: A Reward?

[Music: Your Breath By Saint Vice]

My hands settled in my lap as Zade leaned forward, bracing his hands against the arms of my chair, his face inches from mine.

I thought he would kiss me right then and there. I recklessly waited for those tan lips of his to brush against mine.

The men on guard were the last thing on my mind, and I didn’t care if they had a front seat viewing experience.

They certainly didn’t exist right now; all I could think and breathe was this man in front of me, who oozed danger and protectiveness.

"Now, kitten. Is there anything I should know?" he asked, voice deeper, and I could feel the vibrations even though we hadn’t made physical contact.

"A ball, sponsored by the Syndicate. Julius bought an invitation at a high price. He asked me to attend with him."

"And what did you tell him?"

"I haven’t given him my answer yet. I was waiting for your thoughts."

There was a flicker in those gemstones. "You went out of your way to meet up with Julius without my knowledge, yet you seek my approval for this?"

"Yes. Whatever you say, if you don’t want me to go then I won’t."

He said nothing as he leaned away, pulled his phone from his suit pocket, and dialed a number. I heard the dial as he pressed the device to his ear.

"I need you to do some thorough digging, make it as discreet as possible. Find out about any recent spikes in expenditures in the undercity."

There was a pause.

"Yes, the idea is a ball might be held; look out for that. Twenty-four hours tops. Be quick."

He ended the call and said to me, "Now, my decision is gonna depend on what I find. You did good, little kitten."

My cheek swelled as I smiled broadly.

"Finish up your meal, and then we head home." He walked back to the other end of the table.

What? That’s it? Don’t I get a reward or something?

In frustration, I began eating while Zade helped himself to call after call.

I haven’t seen him like this since our wedding night, when he spent all the hours on call like he was in some business meeting.

He was probably trying to get what he could find about everything Julius told me.

Note to self that what my husband despises the most was things that were unknown to him. This news of the Syndicate must have got him on edge even if he doesn’t show it.

When I finished my meal, Zade wrote a check and dropped it on the table before walking back to me.

I grabbed my purse and pushed to my feet, and he guided me down the stairs with his men following behind.

"Why that look, kitten?" he asked when we got to the entrance, and he took my coat.

"Nothing." I turned and slipped my hands into my sleeves, and the coat slipped on with ease.

Zade pulled my hair and gently brushed it aside. "I find that hard to believe, kitten. You have that frown twisted on your pretty face," he murmured to my ear. "Any more of that, you’re gonna start getting wrinkles."

"What frown?"

He chuckled. "Playing dumb now, are we?"

"Looks like I’m not the only one." I walked out of the entrance, and the valet held up the umbrella for me and led me to the car.

I got in, and Zade followed after, getting comfortable beside me.

The car drove out.

"Were you expecting a reward, kitten?"

"Were you gonna give me one?" I countered, pinning him down with my eyes.

He chuckled once more. "You greedy little brat."

I rubbed my knees together when I felt a pulse between my legs.

"How dare you expect a reward after diving headfirst with that little plan of yours?"

"I thought you weren’t angry anymore!"

"And who told you that? Hm?"

God, I can’t tell. He was just so stupidly amused right now, and I wanted to wipe it off.

"You shouldn’t expect... rewards. Rewards are only for good girls."

"But you called me a good girl."

"A momentary praise."

I swung my hand, but he caught my wrist before I had the chance to strike him.

"Were you gonna hit me?" he asked with a spark of danger in those orbs.

"A momentary instinct."

I yelped when he grabbed hold of me and saddled me on his lap. His lips collided with mine in a quick and hot connection, and before I even had the chance to enjoy myself, he pulled away.

I was completely breathless as Zade licked his lips as though he had tasted something sweet.

I blushed. "S-Should you be doing something like this? You could reopen your stitches!"

I darted my eyes to his arm; although he didn’t show any signs of pain, I knew it still hurt. There was a slight discomfort in his expression.

This reckless snake!

"I prefer punishing you, kitten. It’s what suits you right now."

He completely ignored my concern.

"Are you gonna punish me now?"

He grinned devilishly. "I’m not gonna give you what you want."

Figures. In some way this was still punishment, and he knew it.

"Then I guess this discussion is over."

I tried to get off his lap, but he pinned me down.

"Stay right there until we get home."

I opened my mouth, but he didn’t give me the chance to speak.

"Is your period done?"

"A-Almost."

"Hmm."

I gasped when he took hold of the rim of my dress and pulled it up, exposing my panties.

"Wha-What are you doing?"

"Getting comfortable."

His fingers dug into my waist and pressed me down against him. My mouth fell wide when I felt his growing erection.

The only thing keeping us from making skin contact was the piece of clothing, but even I knew that bridge was very, very thin.

"Don’t tell me you expect me to stay like this until we get home."

"Good guess, kitten."