“I have a place in the same building as his and Elodie’s penthouse, yes. But my place is here. With you.”
I blink at that. His voice is serious, like he’s making a promise. I lean back so I can study his face. He might just be talking about where he lives, but I hear a deeper meaning. Has his loyalty shifted?
No, it’s too soon. He’s talking about his home. His priorities. But it’s a start.
I’ll take it.
He runs a finger down my cheek. “I ruined your makeup.”
“That’s okay. I wanted you to.” My skin is taut under the mess he made of my cheeks, the smeared mascara drying with my tears. “Why do you think I wore it?”
“My sweet bride,” he sounds like he’s falling asleep. I smile to myself.
The poison is working.
“Goodnight, husband,” I test it out.
He doesn’t respond. He’s out.
In a moment, I’ll put my head down and rest. For now, I want to study the way the golden candlelight outlines his perfect face.
23
Kaiser
* * *
Bella’s up to something. She’s pliant and eager, as if resigned to her fate.
I don’t trust it. But I can’t keep my hands off her.
It’s not just sexual. Every time we’re in the same room, I have my hands on her. My hand at the small of her back, guiding her. On the back of her neck, massaging the tight muscles until she relaxes.
In the morning, I brush her hair and dress her like she’s my little doll. In the afternoon, after her classes, we watch a terrible vampire show together while I rub her feet. After an episode or two, I lie down and set her on top of me, so she can grind her pussy on me. Even fully clothed, she can come like that, with me goading her.
“I want it inside me,” she whines.
“Not yet, little bride.” I pinch her nipples, enjoying her pout.
“You’re going to make me wait until marriage?” She sounds aghast.
“Maybe,” I say, to torture her. “Maybe I’m old-fashioned.”
She snorts.
“Maybe I don’t want to hurt you.” But I do hurt her, pinching her nipples to make her rock faster.
Before we’re married, I intend to make her come in every room of this house.
Fuck her on every rug. Prop her legs over the arms of every chair and eat her out.
Press her face into each window while I rail her from behind.
But I’m taking it easy. Going slowly. Putting her through her paces.
“You’re kind of gentle with me,” she says one night after a long scene. “You don’t really hurt me.”
I stroke her silky hair. “You don’t need pain.”
