King of Sloth (Kings of Sin, #4)

by Ana Huang

“But fine, I’ll hang out with Ále until you’re done. She and Dom better not be hooking...

My husky whisper didn’t sound like me, but dragging someone into a bathroom so I could have my way with them didn’t feel like me, so it was a night of firsts.

“You like that, don’t you?”

“Fuck, Luna, you look so good on your knees, choking on my cock.”

“Not with your hand.”

Xavier’s harsh command stopped me a second before I made contact. I let out another whimper of protest, but this time, he was unrelenting. His body shifted, but he didn’t let go of my hair as he nudged his shoe between my legs. He ground the tip against my most sensitive spot, eliciting a muffled yelp. I was so desperate for more friction I didn’t think. I simply did as he asked, and straddled his shoe. I spread my legs wider, the beautiful pressure and rub of leather against silk and tender, sensitive flesh making me ache all over.

Strong hands unwound my arms from his thigh and picked me up. Xavier set me on the counter, his movements smooth and fluid as he cleaned me up.

“Well,” he drawled, his voice husky. “If you need another favor, anything at all, I’m right here and willing.”

After Saturday, I could add the Valhalla Club bathroom to the list of places I’d never look at the same again (after my office, my kitchen, Xavier’s living room, and well, pretty much every place we’d had sex).

if he cheats with you, he can cheat on you.”

karma’s a bitch.”

But there’d been a time when I could pretend, and on days when I was too tired to fight, pretending was enough.

Sloane always complained about how much cash I carried around, but it was damn handy in times like this.

I’d fallen in love with Sloane Kensington.

I wasn’t a violent person. I rarely had to resort to physical brawls to solve a problem, and in Bentley’s case, I didn’t have to; I wanted to.

Loved. It was a strange concept, and not one I’d had experience with in the past. But now that I’d identified it, I couldn’t believe it had taken me so long to recognize it.

I loved her, totally and completely, and I’d be damned if I let anyone hurt her.

My business here was done.

That was right. I, Sloane Kensington, had willingly invited someone to stay—count them—one, two, three nights with me, and I didn’t dread it. Who even am I?

“Have you ever baked before?”

“No, but I’m a fast learner.”

“Are you?”

“Yes.”

“Not that I don’t believe you, darling, but your cupcakes are burning.”

“I wanted to try something new,” I grumbled. “Baking is an essential life skill.”

I was too embarrassed to admit I’d been trying to impress him. It was so stupid and backward, the notion that a woman had to be good in the kitchen. Hello, wasn’t that what food delivery was for? But I liked Xavier so much, and baking had seemed like a nice, domestic activity to add some life into the apartment.

“You know what else is an essential life skill? Living,”

“I’m concerned any future baking attempts will result in your kitchen burning down.”

“Very f...

“Next time, you try ...

“I’m good. I know where my talents lie, and it’s not...

“But you don’t need to cook for me, Luna. I’m hap...

“Because restaurants do i...

“Well, ...

If I put enough time and effort in, I was positive I’d kick baking’s ass. There was no way a little sugar and flour could beat me, but I didn’t like baking, and I didn’t have to be good at everything (even though I could be if I wanted).

“Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

“If I ask you a question, will you answer truthfully?”

“Uh-oh. Nothing good ever comes after that opening.”

“It’s nothing bad,” I reassured him. “I’m just curious. Why do you want your inheritance so badly? It can’t be about just the money.”

“Why not?” he asked lightly. “Maybe I’m a greedy bastard, plain and simple.”

“I’m giving half of it to charity.”

I almost choked on my cake. That wasn’t what I’d expected. At all.

“Not that I don’t think giving to charity is admirable, but isn’t that exactly what your father’s will stipulates will happen to the money...

“...

“So ...

“You’re donating to charities your father hated, aren’t you?”

“I wouldn’t say he hated the charities themselves,”

“But he certainly wouldn’t have approved of donating to som...

“You’re evil but genius.”

“You’re an evil genius.”