Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 76857 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76857 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Negotiation had to happen now. I could show him that I would be willing to parlay in exchange for certain freedoms. “I don’t want to be locked in a room for ten years. I will put my mouth on you, if that’s what it takes for you to let me go outside.”
Just like that, the pulsating organ cradled in my palm began to go flaccid. My hand was released as if my touch burned his skin.
Rubbing his eyes, he swore under his breath. “Is that why you consented to be with me last night?”
“Yes. I am trying to show you I can be confident. I won’t run. I’m not stupid enough to think I would get very far before the fever sets in. You have shown me that heat hurts, and I did not like being left alone. I am your mate, but I don’t want you to leave me locked in here.”
Hurt was in his gaze. Disappointment in his response. “After our argument, I made an appointment to take you to visit your mother today and booked a dinner afterward so I might court you.”
I didn’t want to be suspicious when he looked so disheartened, but he had done nothing to earn my trust. “But you don’t like my mother. You think humans should not be trusted.”
“I love you. Seeing her will make you happy. I want to introduce you to a sense of normalcy, give you a chance to make friends or reconnect with academy sisters and their mates.” A sinister quality darkened his tone, his fingers reaching out to brush my jaw. “I would only lock you away if you gave me good reason to do so. And hear me now, Lorieyn. You never have to barter sexual favors with your mate. If I decided to lock you up, no amount of sucking my cock would urge me to open the door.”
“I’m not trying to be problematic,” I murmured, because it felt as if I had made a very grave error.
Letting out a sigh, he cupped my cheek. “I appreciate how brave you have been.”
It felt like I was expected to apologize, but I was not sure exactly what for. “I don’t know how to cheat on this test.”
He started to laugh, the tension ebbing. Reaching for my hair, he began to play with the length, his features going soft as he grew thoughtful. “The devious student has finally found she can no longer lie to get what she wants.”
His words annoyed me. “I had good reason to do the things I did.”
“So did I,” he purred.
Another impasse.
Glittering green eyes running all over my naked body, Cyderial said, “You look beautiful this morning.”
Slimy and leaking? Hair tangled and skin sticky, I didn’t feel very pretty.
Looking him over as he lounged under me as if I had pinned him to the mat, I found him intimidating. The muscles of his abdomen defined yet relaxed, pectoral muscles, broad shoulders, strong jaw, high cheekbones, vorec-green eyes.
Blond.
I had always noted his pale-blond hair.
As his mate, if I were to be an acceptable one, was I supposed to touch it the way he was touching mine? I had fisted it more than once in a sexual frenzy, and he hadn’t seemed to mind. Had it been soft?
I had been too focused on my own pleasure to notice.
His lips were harsh, but when he used them on my body, they could be silken. But more often, he was rough with them.
I think I preferred rough to soft.
“What are you thinking?” he murmured, enjoying my obvious scrutiny.
That my survival would require a massive shift in perspective. “You look different when you’re not scowling or glaring. Your smile, it makes me nervous.”
Maybe I could touch him, just once. Show him I was confident and could earn freedoms he would not let me buy with sexual favors.
Tentatively, I reached forward, unsure what I was doing.
With bated breath, he waited.
Slowly, I took him by the throat, the same way he had done to me back in his office. Talons dancing over a vital artery, I felt an unexpected growl in my chest, even as I leaned closer, mesmerized by what I could do with a flick of my fingers.
I could rip his larynx right out, make a different kind of mess all over the bed.
But no matter how much latent rage was festering deep inside me, I could not bring myself to break his skin.
Minutely raising his chin to give me a clearer target, Cyderial bared his throat to his captive.
To his mate.
I drew in a deep breath, my hair falling around me, and I crouched over him.
I could kiss him this way, my mouth hovering over his.
The noise in my chest wavered between violence and another sound; there was no question he knew my thoughts were dark.