My eyes drift, but I pull them back up to his, noting, "You're surprisingly calm for someone on a clock."
His arrogance mixes with a lewd expression. "I don't panic before breakfast. And you standing in my bedroom… Well, I can't lie. It's a decent way to start the day."
"Get out of bed," I order, fighting a smile.
"Maybe I'll negotiate from here."
"You lost the right to negotiate the moment you refused to listen yesterday."
He smirks, like he enjoys provoking the sharpness in my tone. "You came to kill me, sweetheart? Or to stare at me while I sleep?"
I step closer, glaring harder. "I'm here because you're out of time. You can choose obedience or prepare for the consequence."
His smirk fades. "So you think you can kill me?"
I don't flinch. "If needed."
His expression turns into calculation. A muscle jumps in his jaw. He studies me in a slower, deeper way.
"Don't underestimate me," I warn.
"You're cold, Minx."
"You think this is easy for me?" My voice stays calm, but truth edges through. "If you fail, the blame lands at my feet."
Brax's expression shifts a fraction. It's enough to tell me he finally understands the cost to him and me, even though he has no idea about my future seat at the table.
"Go ahead, then. Do what you need to do." He rises, naked as a jaybird, and struts into the bathroom.
I gape at him.
Pull it together!
The sound of water hits my ears. I lunge into the bathroom. "What are you doing?"
He turns his head, smirks, and taunts, "Taking a shower. Want to join before you kill me?"
"This isn't a game!"
"So you've said, Minx." He steps behind the glass, and water drips over his silhouette.
My heart thumps hard against my chest cavity. I debated taking him out in the shower for too long.
He turns the water off, glides the door open, and reaches for a towel.
I swallow hard, keeping my eyes on his.
He challenges, "Well? Why haven't you done it yet? It would have been nice and clean in the shower."
I glare at him harder.
He wiggles his eyebrows and adds, "Ah. So you want me to live."
I lie. "No. I want you to decide."
A slow, maddening smile erupts across his lips. "You're looking at me like you're hoping I'll choose yes."
I lift my chin. "Say the words, Brax."
