Chapter 13: Deals and Desires
Amara
“You wanted to see me?”
“Yes. Come, sit.”
He rises and pulls out the chair for me, the gentleman act doing little to disguise the predator beneath. I lower myself slowly, heart hammering. He perches on the edge of his desk, one leg crossed over the other, eyes locked on me — sharp, unblinking, assessing.
“So, Kitten,” he begins, that damn name rolling off his tongue like silk, “I think we could really help each other out here.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you need things here in prison. And I need answers.”
“So, you want information in trade for favors?”
He smirks. “Unless you just feel an overwhelming urge to tell me all about Amara — to bare your soul, unprovoked.”
I stare blankly at him.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. So, what will it be? You need money for commissary? Phone privileges? Work assignments? Maybe even better food?”
“I don’t want that.” I cross my arms tight over my chest.
“Oh? Then do tell, what does the kitten want?”
“First — for you to stop calling me that. You’re Liam. Powerful, rich…”
“That I am, Kitten,” he interrupts smoothly, “and I’ll never stop calling you that. That’s off the table for negotiation.”
I roll my eyes before I can stop myself.
His brows lift. “Did you just roll your eyes at me, Kitten?”
“So what if I did? You don’t own me.”
In a blur, he slides off the desk, standing over me — close enough that his scent, dark and intoxicating, curls through my senses. He catches my chin gently, forcing my gaze up to his.
“You’re right, Kitten, I don’t own you.” His voice drops lower, rougher. “If I did, your ass would already be sore from my hand for rolling those pretty little eyes. But you should tread carefully. I’m not opposed to making you scream my name — begging me to own every inch of your body.”
My breath hitches. Heat floods through me — treacherous, unwanted. God, his voice. Deep, commanding, dripping with sin. My thighs squeeze together, trying to mask the ache forming between them.
“You really are full of yourself, huh?” I bite out. “Assuming every girl in your presence just melts at your feet.”
His laughter rumbles through the room, rich and amused. “Most do. But I don’t want just any girl at my feet. I want you. And something tells me, Kitten, you’d like it there.”
“You’re disgusting.”
“And you’re turned on.” His grin widens. “I can smell it.”
My cheeks flame hot. He can’t — can he?
“Stand up,” he orders softly. “I want to show you something.”
I rise slowly, cautious. He crosses to the far side of the office, opens a drawer, and pulls out a thick file.
“Do you want this instead?”
“What is it?”
“A file on your father — everything I could find about him.”
My pulse quickens.
“Although…” he continues, eyes narrowing with curiosity, “there’s something more pressing I require.”
“Oh?”
“I want money in an offshore account. A new identity. And I want you to teach me how to shoot,” I say, voice steady despite the pounding in my chest. “And the file. I want that too.”
A half-smile curves across his lips. “You surprise me, Amara. Not many people do. I can arrange all of that… so long as your information is worth it.”
“Fine. Do we have a deal?”
Before I can blink, he spins me, my back slamming into the wall. His body presses against mine — hot, solid, dominant. His mouth claims me, fierce and demanding. He tastes like bourbon, smoke, and sin. Our tongues tangle, breath mingling, the heat between us erupting into something uncontrollable.
He pins my wrists above my head, deepening the kiss until a soft moan escapes me. When he finally pulls away, his voice is a low growl against my lips.
“That’s a deal, Kitten. Now — will you purr for me?”
His hand slides up my thigh, fingers gripping my hip. A gasp escapes me, pain and pleasure mixing as his teeth graze my neck. Every nerve sparks alive — screaming for more. His touch is addictive, dangerous, wrong. And I want it.
“That’s my good Kitten.”
When he steps back, I’m left trembling, dazed, craving what I shouldn’t. Killian never made me feel like this. With Liam, it’s fire — wild, consuming.
He collapses onto the couch, motioning for me to sit beside him. Pressing a button on the end table, he calls out, “Dana!”
His assistant rushes in, heels clacking against the floor, red curls bouncing.
“Yes, boss?”
“Order from the café down the road. Make it quick — we’re starving.”
“Right away.” She disappears as swiftly as she came.
Liam leans back, eyes locked on me. “Now, Amara. What did you do for work before coming here?”
“I worked at a bar. Nothing fancy.”
“Uh-huh. Let’s make something clear. You want something from me, you’ll answer honestly. Understood?”
“Yes.”
“So, what did you really do?”
I swallow hard. “I managed a man’s house. Cooked, cleaned… kept his schedule.”
“And did you fuck him?”
“Excuse me?”
His tone darkens. “Did. You. Fuck. That man?”
My jaw clenches. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”
“I’m paying for your answers, aren’t I?”
“Yes,” I grit out.
“Well?”
“Yes. I fucked him. Happy?”
A dangerous glint flickers in his eyes. “So feisty. Does it make you uncomfortable, talking about personal matters?”
“With someone I’ve known less than a week? No, not at all,” I snap.
He smirks. “You didn’t seem to mind when my tongue was down your throat.”
“You kissed me.”
“And you kissed me back. You could’ve said no. You didn’t. Which tells me exactly what you want.”
“I… Next question, Liam.”
“Ooh, first-name basis. I like that.” His grin fades, curiosity replacing it. “Why did you report your assault to the police?”
“Isn’t that what normal people do?”
“Maybe. But you’re marked as a high-profile case, Kitten. Which means you were involved with someone powerful. Correct?”
“Yeah… you could say that.”
“So, why go to the police?”
“I thought they’d protect me,” I admit quietly. “I had information — leverage. Something that could’ve made their careers. I thought I could trade it for safety.”
He studies me, unreadable. “And I take it that didn’t go well. His reach was deeper than you thought.”
Just as I open my mouth, Dana bursts back in — two coffees and a bag in hand.