CHAPTER 15

His grip on my throat tightened, his eyes burning into mine with a fierce intensity that made my skin crawl. I swallowed hard; the motion sent my throat sliding through his grasp, igniting a shiver that coursed down my spine. His gaze was unrelenting – two dark, ruby-red pools of pure predator that left me frozen in place.

"I asked you a question, little toy," he whispered, his breath caressing my face. I squeezed my eyes shut, heaving a shaky sigh as I struggled to calm my racing heart. I wanted to speak, to say something—anything. But words refused to form on my lips; my voice was trapped, suffocated beneath his chilling grip, which tightened with every silent moment.

His fingers traced the curve of my neck, and I flinched, a sharp gasp escaping my lips. "You see," he began, his voice low and husky, "dishonesty bothers me. It makes me wonder what else you're hiding."