Hope Restrained (Estate Series) by M.S. Willis Read Free Book Online Page A

but he tsked.
    “I also learned that you have more weapons on you than I’d
expected. Given your profession, I’m not surprised.” Stepping out, he trapped
her other foot with his. Pushing forward he bent her leg up towards her body
causing the muscle in her thigh to burn from the strain. Once he had her
pinned, he used his hands to untie her boot. “I’ll have to perform a more
thorough search to ensure I’m not injured again. I’m sure you understand.”
    Contemptuously, Hope laughed. He was pressed so close to
her, she could feel his heat brush across her skin. His cologne wrapped itself
around her senses, mixed with another distinct scent — musk or
sandalwood. Taking shallow breaths, she willed her body calm but noticed that
her heart still beat wildly against the walls of her chest.
    Lifting one hand from her leg, he pressed it against the artery
in her throat. “Your pulse is racing. Is it from fear or excitement?” Chuckling,
he returned his hand to her leg, running it up the ankle and calf slowly, his
fingers digging into the muscle as they passed. Despite the shiver the coursed
through her body, she remained blank, expressionless while he performed his
search. Her anger grew to know that he was stripping her of her clothes in an
attempt to strip her of her dignity. She wouldn’t let it work.
    Angling her head down, she pressed her forehead to his. “It’s
good to see that my hopes and dreams will be fulfilled after all.”
    His blue eyes shot to hers and the stubble on his jaw pulled
across his face when he grinned. “I suggest you remain calm, Sunshine , we’re just getting started.”

Chapter Six
    After examining one leg, Xander lowered it, trapping her
foot under his, and bringing her other leg up to remove the boot and search for
additional weapons. Although, he performed this search already while she’d been
passed out, he did so again while she was conscious to show her who held the
control between them.
    She scowled at him as he ran his hand up her leg.
    He smirked in response.
    An assassin. She was a fucking assassin, and one who, for
the most part, had kept her distance from any dealings with The Estate. Xander
couldn’t understand why, now, she chose to attack. The file they had on her
wasn’t thick, but what he did know was that Hope was raised within a much
smaller and less powerful network. The only reason she’d even been noticed was
because of the rumors that if there was someone out there who could compete
against Aaron, it was she. They’d never been able to obtain anything more than
a grainy image, but given her skill, Xander had taken a shot in the dark to
connect this woman to the one discussed in the documents he’d found.
    Her name had been familiar to Xander when he’d first
discovered her identity. He’d heard of the woman who, like Aaron, seemingly
enjoyed her profession too much. And he remembered a story about a woman
bathing in the blood of her targets — who could calmly and quietly tear a
man apart without so much as flinching at the act.
    “It appears your legs are free of unexpected surprises, but
what about the rest of you?” His blue eyes shot up to look at her, the corner
of his mouth twitching from his attempt to hide a salacious grin.
    She rolled her eyes. “Strip me naked and fuck me or shut up.
I’m already tired of your threats.”
    He stood up slowly, his eyes searching her face for any sign
of fear … there was nothing. He marveled at her ability to remain so calm and
uncaring about what he’d been doing to her. He hated to admit it to himself,
but he was confused by her lack of concern. “Eager, aren’t you?”
    “Remove my chains and I’ll show you just how eager I am.” Shaking
them above her head, she added, “But I can’t do much without my hands.”
    He laughed. “How many times has that worked? Obviously, you’re
alive and were previously free to run about … how many times have you fucked
your way out of a tight