Yes or no,Aveen.I couldn’t find a lie in a response like that. “Does it make you uncomfortable?”
“Yes,” she breathed.
I tasted the bitterness of truth. Except, there was something in her eyes. A hunger that hadn’t been there before. “Do you like it?” I pressed.
“N-no.”
The lie left my blackened soul singing. “Oh, my dear. You have no idea how bad a liar you are. It’s quite endearing.”
“I’m not lying.”
“I can taste the lies when they fall from your lips. They’re sweet, like honeysuckle. A good liar sticks as close to the truth as possible. A great liar mixes the two. You don’t bother. You say what you believe you’re supposed to say in order to make others happy or save face. It’s fascinating.”
Her frown only deepened.
“Ah, here now. There’s no need to get cross.”
“I’m not cross.”
I bit back my smile. I couldn’t help it.
She gave my shoulder a good wallop.
I didn’t bother hiding my laughter. “Careful now, human. Striking a prince has dire consequences.”
What’d she do? She hit me again.
“Do it again and see what happens.”
When she hit me a third time, I launched upright, sending her scurrying back like she could bury herself in the mattress to escape. My magic wrapped around her wrists like manacles, lifting her arms above her head. Her chest rose and fell in irritation. She looked so delectable that way, stretched beneath me. I sent another tendril of magic across her hips, pinning her in place.
The things I could do to her.
The pleasure I could make her feel.
I settled my hands on either side of her head, lowering myself so I could see my face reflected in her blown-out pupils. She smelled of rose petals and rage, a heady combination I could have drowned in for eternity.
“You said you wouldn’t touch me,” she rasped. “You swore on pain of death.”
That beautiful throat bobbed when she swallowed. I dragged my nose down her soft skin, breathing her in. “Ah, but I like pain and enjoy death. And I swore not to lay ahandon you.” And my hands were behaving. “What you fail to realize, human, is that I do not need my hands to make you come undone. I could use my mouth.” To taste her would be heaven. I allowed myself one kiss, feeling her pulse spike beneath my lips. “My teeth. My tongue.” Oh, the things I could do with my tongue. “My cock.” I gave in to the urge to grind myself against her leg, hearing her breath catch. Her eyes hooded with desire. “My magic.” I could sit across the room and make her come harder than she’d ever dreamed with my magic alone. “I’d let you choose, Aveen. Choose how I unravel you.” One or two or all at once. I’d give her everything I had. All she had to do was say the word.
“I hate you.”
Her truth stole my desire.
“First honest thing you’ve said all night.” I forced a chuckle, retreating to my side of the bed, releasing the bonds holding her in place.She hated me—and who could blame her?
“You are the worst person I’ve ever met.”
“Another truth. Very good. Does violent Aveen have any more confessions?”
She stole the coverlet, leaving me without so much as a corner.
“Ah, here now, sullen Aveen is no fun. Bring back the violent one.”
She kicked me.
And I liked it.