The Scotch Series: The Complete Series (Scotch #1-3) - Penelope Sky Page 0,40

whining, I have work to do.” Ariel opened her briefcase on the wooden table.

London’s jaw dropped, shocked that Ariel could be so foul. She turned to me in shock. “This woman is your business partner? Does she talk to everyone like this?”

“Just the ones who annoy me.” Ariel tested the syringe before she sat on the couch. “Don’t expect me to feel sorry for you just because I’m a woman. If you don’t like your circumstance, change it. It’s that simple.”

“You think I want to be here?” London asked incredulously.

Ariel pointed to the cushion beside her, silently commanding her to take a seat. “I think you need birth control because you enjoy fucking the man who captured you. So yes, I do think you want to be here.”

London glanced at the vase sitting on the nearby table.

I knew exactly what she was going to do next. “Don’t even think about it, Lovely.” I grabbed her by the wrist before she could do anything that could get her killed. I guided her to the seat and sat beside her, keeping an eye on both of them.

London was so angry she couldn’t speak—which was a first.

Ariel inserted the needle and deposited the fluid. Then it was over. She placed a cotton ball against the skin and covered it with a bandage. “You’ll be ready to go in twenty-four hours.” She put her supplies away then walked out, leaving us alone together.

I knew London was eager to speak her mind.

“That woman is horrible.”

I shrugged. “She’s not that bad when she likes you.”

“Does she insult all of your clients like that?”

When I thought about it, I smiled. “Actually, yeah.”

“And that’s okay?” she asked incredulously.

Ariel had a lot of valuable qualities that couldn’t be replaced. “She’s the best at what she does. That’s all I can say.”

“And what is that, exactly?”

I never told her about my other company. “She pretty much runs my scotch business. I just oversee a few things here and there.”

“Wait…you make scotch?” she asked in surprise. The realization slowly dawned on her, probably thinking about all the times she caught me drinking the amber liquid throughout the day. “I guess it makes sense.”

“It’s my clean money, how I launder all my other cash.”

She nodded like she understood. “And she works with your intelligence stuff too?”

“Yeah. She does a lot.”

London sighed when she realized there was no way to get rid of her nemesis. “I haven’t done anything to earn her hatred. She’s pretty cruel.”

“It’s nothing personal. She doesn’t like people she doesn’t know.”

“Well, she didn’t know everyone at one point.”

“And honestly, she still doesn’t like me now.”

London actually chuckled. “Can’t blame her…”

I liked seeing her smile—for me. It was an expression she hardly wore, like a rain cloud in the desert. “Give it time. She’ll come around.” I examined the cotton ball stuck to her arm, knowing within twenty-four hours I could have her the way I wanted. “Looks like you’re ready to go.”

Her smile dropped instantly.

I knew she was at war with herself. Her body craved mine, especially after the exquisite orgasms I gave her. But her mind couldn’t accept the attraction, not under the inhumane circumstance. She would always see me as the man who imprisoned her, a dictator.

But that was all about to change soon enough.

13

London

He came to bed late that night again, finishing up work downstairs with Ariel and the rest of his crew. I didn’t bother to pretend to be asleep this time. He walked inside and undid his tie, his eyes finding mine. Seductively, he removed every single item of clothing and dropped them on the floor. First, it was the tie and then it was the collared shirt. He undid his belt and bent it in his hands, testing the tightness. Then he dropped his slacks.

I eyed his near-naked body and felt repulsed by my immediate arousal. For a criminal, he had soft and flawless skin. The muscles coiled and moved every time he shifted, his power obvious in his build. He wasn’t bulky like Dunbar, but his long and lean look implied he was strong—but also fast.

He kicked off his shoes and socks then grabbed the brim of his boxers next.

I knew I shouldn’t look. I wasn’t sure why I was looking in the first place.

His brown eyes held a vibrant desire and confidence that was borderline arrogant. He pulled them down his waist until his hard cock appeared, the head swollen and a darker shade than the rest of his length. Nine