Her movements falter. She whimpers in protest.
“I said slower,” I repeat, voice harsher than either of us is used to. “If you want to come, you’ll do exactly as I say.”
Her fingers move torturously slow.
“Better.” I drag a claw along the outside of the tub again. The scraping sound makes her shiver.
“Tell me how it feels.”
“It—it feels—” She can barely form words.
“Does it ache?” I tease. “That empty feeling? Knowing your fingers aren’t enough?”
“Yes.”
“And you want more, hmm, Saelûn?” I rasp. “You want me to fill that needy pussy until the ache goes away?”
Her hips buck against her hand.
“Stop.”
She freezes.
Her pulse jumps in her throat. The bond screams at me to give her what she needs.
“Look at me,” I command softly.
Her eyes find mine, glassy and hooded.
“You don’t come until I say you can,” I remind her. “Not a second before. Because this—” I gesture to her spread legs, her trembling body, “—belongs to me.”
I let the silence stretch between us so she can feel the weight of my words.
“Again. Slow circles, Lumi,” I settle back, drinking her in. “Show me how my mate likes being touched.”
Her hand starts moving again, but she’s holding back.
“Faster, my little flamebound soul.”
Her breath hitches.
I count her heartbeats through the bond. The second her pulse starts racing, and her thighs start to shake, I stop her.
A broken sound tears from her throat.
“Please, Andrik. I’m sorry. Please?—”
I tilt my head and study her face. “You gave him that beautiful release. Now you’re going to earn the right to give it to me.”
I lean forward, chest folding over the lip of the tub, until I’m a whisper from her ear.
“He made you play a game, didn’t he?” I murmur against her ear.
She nods frantically.
“Then let's play our own game, Saelûn.”
She’s right on the edge. Her hand stutters between her thighs. I catch her wrist and pin it gently to the edge of the basin. “I’m going to say things. And you’re going to tell me—with your body—what you like.”
