Nightshade went to her table, and the large tray of various meats and cheeses and fruits. A large pitcher of dark red wine stood beside it. She took her time, as if making sure to choose the most select foods.
“Come sit next to me. I will let you feed me.”
She nearly spilled the wine.Pompous ass.
Nightshade clamped her jaw shut and perched on the corner of the low mattress as far from him as possible. She extended the goblet of wine to him, but he didn’t lift a hand. “You shall serve me, flower. Hold the goblet to my lips.”
Nightshade forced herself to edge up the bed, even as her skin crawled with disgust as he licked his pudgy lips.
“Come now, I'm thirsty.”
Reminding herself of her endgame, she carefully lifted the gold cup to his mouth, barely keeping her lips from curling as he slurped down a generous helping of the wine.
She waited patiently until he finished and placed the goblet at her feet, awaiting his next order. She’d seen enough of the Middle Eastern lifestyle, at least those more extreme, to know he’d be pleased if she acted as though he were in complete command of her every single move.
Amir placed his hand just above her knee and Nightshade forced herself to ignore the unwelcome touch, all the while silently promising to break every single finger on that fat extremity.
“It’s all right. I'm simply allowing you to become comfortable with my touch. Trust me, flower, you will appreciate my patience when I claim you. Now, feed me the grapes.”
She gingerly plucked a juicy red grape and held it to his lips, careful to keep her fingers as far from his wet lips as possible. He chewed slowly, his heavy jowls sloshing with the movement and her stomach rolling right along with them. His abject rejection of personal hygiene and obvious embrace of slovenly laziness was a stark and disgusting contrast to her life of discipline and training.
“Tell me about yourself.” This time the Sheik plucked a grape and held it up to her lips, forcing Nightshade to take the fruit or end the charade. His thumb lingered on her lower lip and then trailed down her neck and to the top of her blouse.
Nightshade choked. No man had ever touched her. She quickly grabbed a piece of cheese and shoved it in his face, forcing his hand away from her skin. “I am nothing. No one.”
“Come, you are a young beautiful woman. I would like to know more about my soon-to-be wife.” He cast a sly glance her way. “Tell me about the palace that was destroyed. Rumor has it a very wealthy merchant with a beautiful daughter lived there.”
Nightshade tilted her chin down, longing to be back at that palace with her father. “There are many rumors.”
“You do not seek to find favor with me, then? Ask me to ransom you?”
“I am no one, just a lowly servant.”
“You lie. A beauty such as yourself would never be a lowly servant. Perhaps you’re the daughter. Or perhaps his wife.” The hand on her knee shifted up to her thigh. “Perhaps you would tell me the truth if I promise to spare the soldier’s life?”
“Who?” Nightshade feigned ignorance though her heart rate sped up.
“I have a feeling he is your bodyguard. He was very insistent of protecting you when I told him my plans for you.”
She licked her lips. Maybe if she could find out exactly where he held Merc, she could save him. “Where is he? What have you done with him?”
Amir’s grip tightened painfully digging into her thigh. “I have done nothing, but my servant, Salaam has been…questioning him. Why are you so worried?”
She tried to pry his fingers away, but his grip held firm. “He is a loyal guard. I wouldn’t see him harmed.”
Amir’s grip eased a fraction. “Ah, yes, he is very strong. No man has held his silence under Salaam’s interrogation as long as he has. Perhaps I should order Salaam to start chopping off body parts, since you are so unwilling to share information. How would you like that?”
Not before I start chopping you up.Nightshade held that thought to herself. “No, please don’t do that.”
“What will you give me in return for sparing his life?”
A blade to your heart.“Whatever you desire,” Nightshade swallowed the acidic bile burning up her throat, “master.”
Practically preening over her submission, Amir grew bolder, shoving his hand up her leg and cupping her sex.
Nightshade dove backwards. Amir’s hand fell to the mattress and she grabbed the goblet and shoved it to his lips, forcing him to take a sip and putting some distance between her body and Amir.
He pushed the wine away. “I desire you.”
