~VENGANXA~

~| Indie/Private/Selective | Erron Black of MK X | written by Rene' | est. Jan. 8 2016 |~

[nika-vincent]

Erron Black is a ladies man. 😃

[venganxa]

“Miss me?”

[glowneau-blog]

          There’s nothing gentle or loving or even remotely emotional about his      kiss–it’s needy and lustful and greedy and she wouldn’t have it any other      way. A soft, muffled noise leaves the blonde as she returns his kiss with the      same fervor, both arms winding around his neck and gripping tightly to his      shoulders, and he has to push herself up on her toes just a bit to make up      for the height difference but she’s hoping he doesn’t notice that. As he      steps forward, she easily moves back in turn, allowing him to lead her      backward without breaking their kiss.

          She’s not new to this. Cassie’s pace is always quick and wild and      reckless and casual sex for her is nothing short of that, but with someone      like Erron Black? It feels so taboo, like she’s breaking the rules, and it      makes her a little nervous, but at the same time there’s something…      exciting about it. The rush of knowing she’s hooked him, the secret she’ll      have to keep even from her closest friends, the risk they run of being      caught out here in the open by one of the guards or even Kotal      Kahn himself and her adrenaline overrides her rational thought and fuck,      how could he taste so good? She parts her lips in a faint moan against his      mouth, nearly stumbling as she feels the backs of her legs touch against      cold stone, the chill biting through thin leggings.

          “Don’t get too cocky,” She retorts, lifting a hand to swat his away from      her face only to be turned away from him anyway, flinching a little and biting      her lower lip once more at the swat on her ass. His demanding tone is      something she’s not quite sure she wants to allow to happen or stop right in      it’s tracks–after all, she’s the one who’s supposed to be in control of the      situation in her mind-but after some brief deliberation, she decides she can      handle giving him the reigns this time around. Might as well see what he      can do.

          Following his orders, Cassie hops up to sit on the cold stone and      immediately pulls her shirt off over her head, tossing it carelessly aside and      leaving nothing but the bra beneath as she reaches for him, pulling him in      closer to speak directly against his lips. “Better be fuckin’ careful tellin’      me what to do like that, cowboy,” She purrs, trailing a fingertip lightly      along his jawline.

[venganxa]

     Her respondent lips were sweet with carnal need. No cute fluff or heartfelt nonsense. This was visceral. Real and raw. Erron found himself enjoying this even more than he thought. He’d be lying if he didn’t think Cassie wasn’t nice to look at, but he never thought in a million years he’d find himself in something like this. The very fact that they were amid the ‘daises’ and ‘roses’ of Kahn’s courtyard made it all the more thrilling. Even if one of the Osh-tekk saw them, Erron knew a flash of his gun and narrowed gaze was all it took to set them one their way without a word. The respect he demanded and received was beyond well earned at this point.

     “You’re one to talk, Cage.” He retorted to her words on getting cocky. She was a yappy little shit, but it was hard to argue with her staring up at him with those lust ridden eyes. The slight realization of her shorter stature made her seem a little less intimidating than he first took her for but it was honestly a bit endearing seeing her tip toe to press her needy lips to his. As Cassie hopped up upon the chilled stone of the bench and slipped free of her shirt, Erron hungrily gazed upon her. It had been far too long since he’d seen a body like hers, if ever. She knew how to take care of herself that was for damn sure. Some would think it was her skintight outfit that did most of the work, but they’d be wrong. There was no hidden glances or quick looks. He was drinking her in and he wanted her to know. Her taut and toned core lined with lean muscled and insanely soft and smooth skin that was highlighted perfectly in the otherworldly moonlight.      Never taking his eyes off her, Erron unclasped his belt and let it fall to the floor, but not before taking Lucille from her holster and shoving into the back of his pants. He unhooked and shrugged off his cloak, laying it upon the stone and motioning for her to lay there. “I’ll tell you what I want... when I want, Cage.” He ruffed with a deep breath following as he ran his fingers along her neck and shoulder. A part of him wanted to wring it, while another wanted to brand her little tokens of his lust. He could feel her pulse quicken beneath her skin as the pad of his thumb ran down along her neck.      He stood directly in front of her with is body pressing closer as he bit his lip and knelt before her. His hands found their way upon her shoulders were he slowly slid her the taut straps of her top off her skin. Leaning in he greedily kissed where the straps once sat and then looking up to her and smirking against her skin, Erron bit down on the radiant flesh that teased him. A deep humming moan echoed into her skin as Erron savored the feeling of her shuddering between his teeth. “I always wondered if you tasted as good as you looked.”

[venganxa]

‘When The Man Comes Around’

[heartxripper-archived-deactivat]

          Hearing his name in there was no surprise, the crime lord did have quite the reputation, especially around the filthiest corners of Earthrealm, not to mention that he was pretty easy to spot, given his condition. Normally, Kano wouldn’t even turn back, maybe giving a grunt of acknowledgement at best, he wasn’t here to work tonight, but the way that voice was muffled made him frown, his calloused thumb freezing against the rim of his mostly clean glass.

     “You don’t belong here, Black, go back to Outworld.” 

          Reluctantly, the Australian turned to look at the cowboy with his good eye, squinting. He knew the cowboy probably had some reason to crawl all the way here, this was no vacation spot. His whole face scrunched up in distaste as this outdated merc kept on talking, noticing how he even went for one of his damn revolvers. Ugh- way to keep this casual, Black. It still wasn’t enough to worry the Black Dragon, who remained sitting, though his shoulders tensed up ever so slightly, until he felt the cold steel of his blades against him.

     “Drop the bloody attitude, mate, this ain’t the place for ya to act like a smartass. You know you’re gonna drop dead the second ya try somethin’. ‘M sure you won’t sacrifice yourself just to get rid of me.” He scoffed, his eye not leaving the older mercenary. ”Why are you here, eh? Missed me?”

[venganxa]

     A harsh scoff left the muzzled gunman’s throat as he stared down the Black Dragon leader from under the shaded brim of his hat. “I belong where I want, Kano.” He stoically retorted. He looked to all the other cutthroats around him and softly shook his head thinking on the cyclops’ threat. He shifted his stance a bit to be more relaxed, hand not so active around his gun, but still close enough to draw in a deadly flash.      “There ain’t gonna be any sacrifice. You really think this is the first time I’ve walked into a bar outnumbered? Don’t kid yourself.” Erron spoke with a simple air of unbridled, absolute truth. For all of Kano’s wit and instinct, he never took account when he was in real danger. Despite the small battalion of Black Dragon around him, there’s a strange sense of couldn’t-give-a-fuck-less that comes from surviving for 150 years like Erron has. He casually eyed a few of the ‘tougher’ looking ones around the room and he used that term loosely. “Honestly, I’d be fine with going down as long as I got to drag your lousy ass with me.” He jokingly threatened. “Question is if you... or any of your men... wanna take that risk.”      Erron snorted a forceful exhale through his nose to get the odor of the joint outta his nostrils. A crack followed as he rolled his shoulder a bit and refocused on Kano. “And no, I haven’t missed your wrinkled hide... but Kotal does.” He replied in a matter-of-factly tone. With a snide look in his eyes and an impatient exhale, Erron tilted his head as he awaited some form of disbelief. “The Emperor wants to see you. Business he said.”

[katshinigami-deactivated2021082]

Blackcage - Lovers on the sun 

My blackcage babies! Otp theme? Maybe :P

Credit to @tomabangalter for some of those beautiful gifs :3

[venganxa]

                               ~Venganxa && Glowneau~

                                     “You and me against the world?                                  It’s almost not fair. For the world I mean.”

                                                       art credit

[cienie-isengardu]

“This is why you could never be Black Dragon, Erron. You’re trying to save people… instead of exploiting ‘em”

Erron Black in Mortal Kombat X Comics (2015)

[venganxa]

Go check out the MK fandom they said...

You’ll have fun they said.

[glowneau-blog]

     listen……… do it for blackcage

[venganxa]

*Hearteyes like a MF* Okay.

[venganxa]

‘When The Man Comes Around’

@heartxripper

     There was something about Earthrealm that always made Erron sick to his stomach. Maybe it was the petulant whining and worry of all the trivial shit that people still cared about. Maybe it was the fact that every portal he’d ever taken from Outworld landed knee deep in filth, grime, and darkness. Or maybe, just maybe, it was the god awful sight of the one person in all the multi-verse that put the sourest taste in his mouth... and a spark of rage in his heart.      “Kano...” The gunman called out from down the fly infested bar. It was no surprise he’d find the lousy Aussie laying low in a shit-hole like this. The yellowed lights were flickering and dim and the air smelled of machine grease and putrid smoke. The other patrons weren’t much different. Uneasy eyes looked away as Erron scanned the room for possible escape routes and ambush points. This was near Black Dragon territory. He couldn’t be too careful.      “I don’t think I’ve ever told you... but that’s one sharp looking eye you got there.” Erron continued as his fingers delicately grazed over the worn leathe holster of his left pistol, Shelby. The heavy toe of his boot tapped softly against the rotted, plank floor. The jingle of his spur coinciding with the creak of the wood. His eyes narrowed on the cutthroat as he spoke again and with a deeper growl to his voice. “You like, I can give you a matching pair?”

[glowneau-blog]

          An amused little hum leaves her lips in response to his question,      eyebrows raising as she leans in to let her own teeth graze his lower lip,      fingers flexing in his grip. “Not quite what I was saying, but that saves      me the trouble of telling you that later,” She muses, her spine arching      slightly under the touch of his fingers on her bare skin. The light, worn fabric      of her t-shirt hardly did anything to cover her from the night’s chilled air and      her skin is cold under his warm hands, goosebumps raising in the wake of      his touch, her back arching to press herself more firmly up against him with      his urging. The hand that he isn’t holding captive lifts to wind around his      shoulders, fingers burying themselves in his hair, and she grips tightly to the      strands as she ducks her head to kiss his neck. Once, twice, three times      before she bites down hard, leaving a quick and dirty mark on his skin.

          Once she’s satisfied with her work, she looks up to his eyes again,      noting the way his gaze appears fixed on something just past them–she      turns her head to immediately spot the bench in question, tilting her head      slightly as she looks it over. “A couple, huh? Sure you can handle      that?” The blonde smirks as she looks back to him, then quickly bites her      tongue to stifle a small sound as he boldly gropes her. She curses beneath      her breath, digging her nails into the back of his neck, then lets out a short      laugh. “Alright, let’s go–right now.”

[venganxa]

It almost catches him off guard. Almost. Her searing lips against his neck, each meeting more fiercely and heated than the last. A few hurried huffs leave Erron’s mouth as he breathes out a content and smirking sigh. Her fingers in his hair pulling him and causing a growl to leave his throat. Then a sudden sharp and radiant pain from his neck as she bites down on him. A soft wince follows as his grip on her tightens. Erron can’t help but be a bit more inclined to have at her. After a minute, he can tell she’s eyed the bench as well. He give a light chuckle at her doubt of him. “Who’s the one underestimating who now?” He retorted with a brazen look of confidence on his face. Her reaction to his wandering grasp simply eggs him on as he releases her wrist and grasp the back of her head. His eyes fiery and face hungry with lust. With a quick movement, Erron closes the space between their lips and kisses her with a longing need. An agreeing gleam in his eyes is obvious as he steps into her pushing her back towards the stone bench. Her bare feet echoing his boots as they make their way forward. Her lips are like liquid fire. A shock of warmth rang though his body. He closed his eyes and savored the sweet softness that only an Earthrealmer could offer. He swore he felt her shudder as her lustful moan echoed against his lips. His hand went from her rear to her lower back to hold her up as they backed up to the bench. Their lips parted only a second and Erron smiled at the girl. “I have to hand it to you, Cage. You got more gall than I gave you credit for. Though, I should’ve figured this was a good way to shut your mouth... at least for awhile.” He stopped as he felt a slight bump and realized the his prey was nudged up against it. With one hand he patted her cheek and with the other he turned her around and smacked her ass. “Get up there.” Erron ordered her a devious growl.

[venganxa]

New Rules and Head-canon Page! (even new music- what?!)

Whew! That took waaayyy too long.

Finally finished my Rules and Head-canon page. I’d greatly appreciate if you guys went and checked it out. WARNING: The Head-canon page is fucking long but I worked really hard on it so PLZ give it a read if you have the time. I also added a few new jams to the playlist so yeah there’s that too. Thanks again for following and I can’t wait to get more involved with all you guys. :)

[glowneau-blog]

                                     venganxa & glowneau 

                               you’re awful (i love you). 

[glowneau-blog]

          Cassie revels in the feeling of his hands on her, ducking her head      slightly and casting her gaze downward, blue-green hues fixed on his arm      around her, their bodies touching–holy shit, is this real? She must be      insane… She only looks down for a lingering moment before she’s focused      again on the buckles holding his mask in place, working at the worn leather      and metal, surprise crossing her features when he stops her. Is that      uncertainty in his eyes?

          “Fine,” She huffs, feigning annoyance and letting her hands fall back to      her sides, raising an eyebrow and watching him expectantly. In all reality,      she’s dying to see what he looks like under there if only to be one of what      she knows is the many few to do so, but on the surface she appears      completely unphased, a scrutinizing gaze flicking back and forth to take in      the sight of him. As he speaks, the sergeant meets his gaze again with a      small smirk, shrugging one shoulder nonchalantly in a half-hearted attempt      to dismiss the more intimate portion of this encounter. She wanted it out of      the way for practical purposes, that’s all.

          “I’ll just call it a win, then.” She retorts, trailing off as he draws      attention to her hands. Balling them into fists, she bares her teeth a little,      leaning up closer to his now exposed lips. “You lookin’ to get a kiss from      my fists instead of my lips, Black?” The blonde growls playfully, letting      the tip of her nose just barely touch his.

[venganxa]

     His stoic gaze softened a little at her playful threat. “Depends. You’re telling me you like it rough, Cage?” He retorted snapping at her lips and grabbing her wrist, giving a light squeeze. With his mask off, Erron wasn’t half surprised he felt more at ease with the mask off. His breathing a bit less labored and his senses more acute. He could feel the warmth of her breath on his face, could smell the arousal off her body thumping with each beat of her pulse. That look in her eyes. The same look that she had in her eyes whenever they had fought. That same intensity and drive... only this time that intensity was awash and masked with a flaring lust. A primal need of carnal decadence. This was the kinda ‘fight’ Erron didn’t mind doing for pro bono.      With his right hand clasped tight around her wrist, The brooding mercenary ran his other hand slowly up her side. His fingers slipping under her shirt and gently grazing her bare stomach. He could feel the taut muscles of her core tighten up at his touch. He greedily palmed her hip and brought her in close enough to feel her heartbeat in her chest. Fingers teasing the hem of her leggings. So tight around her luscious legs and hips. He made sure she could see his eyes. Locked on him has he slowly eyed an ornate stone bench that sat just up the path from the two. “Because we can take this to the arena... or we can go a couple rounds right here.” He challenged as he shifted his stance and let his spurs clink against the stone. His hand slipped further back around her hip till it rested just atop the curve of her ass. With no hint or preview and throwing it all to the wind, Erron’s fingers grasped a healthy handful of her rump as he bit his lip from the fullness in his hand.

[glowneau-blog]

          Her breath hitches in the tiniest gasp as he grips her wrist, fingers      flinching away from the weapon at his side as he gaze flicks downward only      for a second before she’s meeting his eyes again. There’s confusion there      for a hint of a second, but she quickly lets it go and focuses on the task at      hand, her own hand turning over in his grip to let her nails scratch lightly      against his forearm. She bites her lip again, this time without a care whether      or not he sees it–it’s already obvious what she wants, so there’s no use in      hiding it anymore.

          Her lips part slightly at his touch, warm breath washing over his skin as      she exhales a sigh. It quickly turns into a chuckle at his comment, an      amused smile gracing her features, and she presses closer to him as her      second hand joins the first at his chest. He grabs her, earning him a soft,      pleased hum from the blonde’s throat, her eyes closing briefly before she      lifts her hand from his chest, resting them on either side of his face, toying      with the edges of his mask with clear intent to remove it.

[venganxa]

     Erron found himself growing more and more relaxed in her presence and while any other occasion he’d be berating himself for letting it happen, he knew this was simply too good to pass up. He was only easing in as much as she was and always held on to that sliver of readiness at the back of his mind. As good as it all felt... you could never let down your guard completely.

     As he let his fingers trail absently around her supple curves, he watched with wondering eyes as she lifted her hands to his mask. His heart skipped a beat as her fingers slowly grazed the bracketed leather. She softly worked the worn straps as he closed his eyes and clenched his teeth in trepidation. His own hand rose up to meet hers and hold them still. His eyes were resolute and stern. A gleam of uncertainty flashing against the dark stone of his gaze. “I... I don’t know if you... How you...” He voice wasn’t shaken, but concerned. Erron let out a harsh huff of breath as he refocused on the girl. “Just... let me.” He told her like he was angry more at himself for being wary of it.   Reaching back behind his head, Erron twisted the small copper and iron lock that clasped the straps together behind his skull. A small clicking sound could be heard and his breathe slowed to a steady pace as he lifted his hat with one hand and cupped the face mask with the other. He tentatively pulled it away and took in a nice, deep breath. He found himself wearing the mask more and more often more as an intimidation factor than for it’s true purpose, but even now he thanked God he could relinquish it for now. Especially for times like now.      He had lowered his face at first to ease into looking her in the eyes. Slowly he looked up and met her gaze. His smile all but faded but a look of carnal need still obvious in his eyes. His face was gaunt and weathered. High cheek bones with more than a bit of scruff. Most prominent was a scar that ran down across the right side of his mouth. Straight down from next to his nostril to just above his chin. It was old, but deep. “You’re the first Earthrealmer in a very long time to have seen me like this.” He stated with a bit of remembrance in his voice. “Do not mistake this as a kindness.” He added as he exhaled heavily through his nose. He hooked the mask on his belt loop and reach up to grasp her hand that rested on his chest. The wind had picked up a bit and her shirt was billowing and flowing in the breeze. Every now and then offering a better view of what lay underneath. After a moment of quiet, he shot the blonde a devious gaze. A smirk barely tugging at his lips. “You tellin’ me you punch that hard with soft, little hands like these?”

[glowneau-blog]

[venganxa]

[glowneau-blog]

          His gaze leaves her and she bites her lower lip briefly, taking the time to      look him over once more. They’re so close she can hardly move without      touching him, but then again, moving any further is only going to shove the      barrel of his gun further up against her throat. She can tell that he’s      checking to make sure they’re alone, and it’s promising–whether or not      they actually are she’s not sure, but every obvious entity, the guards they’d      observed earlier, are nowhere in sight. Cassie looks back to him as soon as      his gaze flicks forward to her once again, her head tipping back downward      as soon as he pulls his gun out of her face.

          She raises her brows, shifting her hands to rest them on her hips as she      eyes him expectantly. “Oh, are you? I’d say you need to boost your      work ethic.” Not that she actively wanted Erron Black to want her–this was      a recent development within the last thirty seconds or so, but the idea is      sounding more and more alluring the further she mulls it over, the more he      plays along with her. Cassie isn’t particularly picky in her sexual partners,      after all–as long as they have half a brain and know how to please a woman,      she’s content. She knows he won’t just be some second-rate fuck to tide      over her libido, though–not Erron. No, this is a game she’ll likely be playing      for a while.

          The blonde tips her chin back slightly once more as a rough, calloused      hand finds her skin. The last time that hand had touched her it’d been trying      to kill her–the reminder almost sends a rush of adrenaline down her spine.      In a slow, lithe movement, Cassie makes the move to close the distance      between them, pressing her body flush against his, the steely, challenging      gaze inherited from her mother locked firmly on the gunslinger. One hand      rests flat against his chest while the other finds his waist, the pads of her      fingers dancing precariously over the holster of one of his guns, and the      corner of her lips turns up into yet another cocky smirk.

          “If you call me Cassandra while you’re fucking me, I’m gonna      crush your head with my bare thighs.”

[venganxa]

     She’s either crazy or foolish. Either way, she’s testing him and Erron has never backed down from a challenge. Cassandra Cage was not someone he ever thought for a moment he’d catch giving him those eyes... but here she was. A living, breathing temptation tearing asunder all the hard forged allure he’d put up all these years. He had to keep his wits about him around her. He knew that. This wasn’t about her getting the best of him. It was about getting the worst.

     As her body closes in, Erron sucks in a quick and quiet breath between his teeth. She’s warm. Very warm. Her eyes are an absolute perfect mix of ‘fuck you’... and ‘fuck me’. He catches himself smiling a little deeper as she places her hand upon his chest. The pulse in her finger tips matching the beating of his heart. She’s moving in for the kill. He thinks to himself with a lithe smirk, but quickly his eyes dip to her other hand’s fleeting touch over his holster. A steady, sullen breath leaves his lips.

She doesn’t know... don’t hurt her. Badly.      With a firm grasp of her wrist, he slowly moved it from the holster and gingerly caressed her flawless skin with his fingertips. He didn’t let it deter him or her and let his sly smile become more evident in eyes as she spoke. “Hmm. Don’t threaten me with a good time.” He replied with a rough whisper as he took his thumb that rested on her chin and brushed it across her plump bottom lip. “You know better than to be pulling my chain, Cage.” He threatened as he took his hand that once held hers and shifted his grasp to her waist. Fingers trailing over the sick curve of her hip and sinking into her flesh.

[venganxa]

     She just had to do it. Of course she had to do it, she’s a Cage. Beneath his mask Erron was secretly biting at his lower lip as he looked the young soldier up and down. “Underestimated? I simply work with what you give me, Cassandra.” He want from subtly checking her out to doing it much more obviously. Her fluffed up form pressing almost against him. Chest heaving with a still beating heart. Rising and falling with huffs of bated breath. He tilted his head glancing over her hip to eye her rear with quick, impressed rise of his eyebrows. He was sure to note the semi-auto Colt 1911 strapped to her hip as well. The leather fastener still in place. Bad choice.      He returned his gaze to hers and smiled a sly grin that could only be seen in his eyes. The pad of his thumb and trigger finger anxiously rubbed softly together just an inch from his holster. “You may have the tools, Cage.” Before he even finished the sentence, his hand became a blur of leather and gunmetal. The ornate, silvered tip of Lucille’s barrel was pressed flush under the blondes jaw. The cock of the hammer clicked loud and hard against the otherwise silent night. “The real question is if you know how to use them.” He added in a rather, low growl. The shine of his eyes the only light beneath his hat’s brim.

[glowneau-blog]

          The sergeant keeps her gaze fixed intently on his eyes as they      shamelessly travel over her form, chewing at the inside of her cheek with      her lips pulled into a thin, tight line. She feels like a purebred under the      scrutinizing gaze of a judge at some dog show, but she’s getting the      impression that he likes what he sees. Good, he’d better. “Joke’s on you–      you want me to give you anything you’d best be working for it,” She      quips in response, shifting her weight from one hip to the other. 

          The smile in his eyes distracts her from the itchy fingers at his gun, stern      gaze narrowing slightly, trying to read that expression. Yet again, he hides      behind that goddamn mask, and she’s starting to understand now why he      wears it in the first place. The prodigy parts her lips no doubt to come back      with a smartass remark, but before her words can even fall from her mind      to her mouth she feels the familiar pressure of chilled metal against her jaw      and, on instinct, freezes in place to assess the situation at a million miles an      hour.

          She swallows hard, exhales a slow breath through her nose, then allows      her body to relax as she tips her head back and away from his weapon. Her      smirk is back, more smug than ever, and she lifts a hand to delicately run a      perfectly manicured nail down the barrel of the gun. “Is that a question      you’re willing to find the answer to?” She taunts, winking at the      gunslinger, “Because I prefer show over tell.”

[venganxa]

The gunner lets out a slight, scoffing chuckle as she winks at him. He watches intently as Cage’s slender finger slowly trails along the hardened steel of his barrel. For a minute he takes his eyes off her to scope the surrounding gardens. Not a soul in sight. Which is saying a lot since those things are like a dime a dozen around here. The haunting Outworld breeze softly swayed the trees and ferns around them. His stern gaze softened as she spoke and he slowly pulled his gun away and with a quick spin and flick of his wrist, set it back in it’s holster. “What if I said I was?” He replied in a gruff whisper. His chest rose as he took in a deep breath, watching her body language for an answer. Erron was slowly realizing that for all her wiles, this could all be some trap. Some way to catch him off his guard. At the same time, it was hard to think straight with a leggy blonde pressing the issue... while pressing against you. A part of him said fuck it. Get her back to your chamber and just take it. But the other half of him was eating away at his conscious. Or what was left of it. It’d been so long since he’d last had a taste of Earthrealm. But... but like this? Beggars can’t be choosers. Not everyday something like her comes waltzing into Outworld. He closed his eyes a second and took in another breath before raising his gaze from her body to meet hers. That blue green tint locked on him. The subtleness of her sly smile was all to evident and he found himself having a harder time getting a read on her than he thought. She was either throwing caution to the wind or working him over like a charm. Two can play that game. “You know what they say, Cassandra...” He raised his hand to cup her chin. Her skin was smoother than anything he’d felt in ages and the warmth upon his fingertips was more than inviting. “Actions speak louder than words.”