She glanced at the door, then back at him.
“Okay.” She scooted on his lap, trying to get comfortable. “So, how do we do this?”
His hands tensed on her waist.
“Do not. Push me. Again.” She raised an admonishing finger, proud of herself for being assertive and drawing a line she would not allow him to cross. “I do not like it, and you are not allowed to harm me.” She quickly amended, “Besides whatever it is that you must do for blood.”
He leaned back in defeat, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “As you like then,m’lady. Have it your way.”
She shifted in his lap, bringing their faces closer. “Good. That’s—”
She gave a sharp intake of breath.
He washard, so much so that she could feel him through the layers of fabric that separated them. Even though she very clearly turned him on, his face remained impassive.
“You’re—you’re,” she whispered, unable to bring herself to say the words.
He raised a brow. “I was trying to spare your innocence for a moment longer.”
“I-I know things.”
“You knowthings.How lovely,” Caspian drawled. “Glad to see all those years of fancy governesses weren’t wasted.”
“You’re an arrogant man.” She covered her mouth in horror. “I’m sorry, I just—”
“Wanted to insult me? Wanted to make me angry?”
“No—I just—”
She tried to shift out of his lap, but he gripped her chin, halting her.
He turned her face this way and that. “I bet your parents had high hopes for you.” He paused. “How does it feel? To have thrown it all away for nothing?” He released her.
Extricating herself from his lap, she sat primly beside him, smoothing her skirts. She turned towards him and lifted her chin. “I’ll have you know that freedom is worth more than gold.”
“Is it?” His voice was low and dangerous.
“It’s fine. A normal response.” She gestured between them. “I won’t trouble myself over it. Don’t worry.”
Another raised brow. “I really wasn’t going to.”
“Er.” Her face flushed. “Right. Demon, I suppose that sort of thing—”
“I am begging younotto finish that sentence.”
She pursed her lips to keep from smiling. “Okay.”
He said nothing and remained unnaturally still.
She bit her lip. “Now?” she asked softly.
He leaned in a fraction. “Yes, now.”
He kissed her softly, and her eyes flew wide in alarm. But it was nothing but a kiss.
Focusing on keeping her breathing even, she felt his lips trail down her throat and graze her neck.
She swallowed a moan as his tongue swiped along her skin. She arched into him, her entire body going warm and molten at his attention.
