Sprawled out with his arms behind his head, his tunic rose up his torso—a temptation sculpted just for me.
Behave, behave,I repeated to myself.
I cared little about how long he lasted. Curiosity spiked over what he looked like in the throes of passion.
“Oh, puppy...” I cooed.
“I knew this was a terrible idea to bring up with you. Clearly, this is not an issue you understand.”
I leaned over him, forcing him to meet my gaze. “You would be wrong about that.”
His brows rose.
“I have not been with anyone in ten years. Maybe more.” It had been more. Since discovering the mirror’s power, I hadn’t been able to follow through even when I’d tried.
He stared up at me with his mouth agape. “No one?You always spoke of trysts and wild affairs.”
“I lied,” I answered plainly and covered my mouth.
He shook his head, still searing me with an intense stare.
I continued, “It’s easier than admitting that I don’t desire the things I once did. I have a reputation to uphold.”
His gaze burned into mine. “Why tell me now, then?”
I shrugged. If he was admitting vulnerabilities, then why shouldn’t I? I’m sure my sexual appetite still existed within me somewhere—my attraction to him proved it. The buzz of mulled wine and the warmth of the room made no topic feel off-limits.
He felt like the safest person to hold my truths. And he was being mature enough to not laugh at me as I had over his anxieties. A pang of guilt struck me.
“If you’re truly concerned, there are ways to prepare yourself. How many times have you taken care of your needs since waking?” I asked him with no air of teasing.
His brow creased. “What? You don’t mean...” He glanced down at his groin briefly and shook his head.
“You sincerely might be the best of men. You are telling me you’ve been awake for two whole days and haven’t even given yourself a good stroke yet? I’ve identified your problem, pet.”
Emmerick looked downright mortified before he threw an arm over his face.
I’d promised him I’d respect his boundaries. Yet here I was toeing one just to see where he would draw the line.
Despite my greatest efforts, my self-control had floated out the damned window.
I had a wicked idea.
Chapter 39
Emmerick
“This conversation is over,” I said with muffled embarrassment, through the arm I’d slung over my face.
I couldn’t look at her—this had taken a turn from vulnerable truth to utter humiliation. Instead, I was hiding like a coward after a beautiful woman had talked about whether I’d been pleasuring myself adequately.Kill me.
My body reacted despite my greatest efforts to think of anything other than her waiting presence beside me. Blood rushed to my groin, and my cock strained against the seam of my breeches. I pulled a blanket over myself.
“Oh, pet...”
I groaned.
“Do you not knowhow?” Her question made me want to crawl under the low table to my left, but I wouldn’t fit.
