In the Common World, it was often suggested that my father had been a cult leader. Not that I was cognizant of that as a child. Only much later in life did I realize he was a more complicated figure.
But regardless of Charming’s claim, he’s still dead wrong.
“Some people like to play with their food,” I say, though the words come out weak.
“Oh, I want to play with you, maybe eat you alive.” That cheeky tone is back in his voice as his tongue curls over his teeth, a wicked glint in his eye.
I flush as I feel my panties dampen. Prince Charming is everything the tabloids say. A walking sexual innuendo.
Despite knowing that, his words still have such an effect on me.
Though part of me really,reallywants him to do what he says, vulnerability, danger, and primal fear braids in with my desire.
“But okay,” he shrugs and takes a step back. “I won’t touch you.”
A pang of disappointment shoots through me, almost causing my body to sway towards him.
Almost.
Then I narrow my eyes. There’s something about the way he says it that tells me that’s not all. He has something up his sleeve. The tension in the air thickens despite his retreat.
If I hadn’t been sure of a hidden agenda before, the half-smile that kicks up confirms it.
With a few long-legged strides, he falls splayed in one of the bedroom’s sitting chairs. He hooks a leg over the arm of the seat, as if he’s posing for a provocative painting.
“But what if Itellyou how I would touch you?” A positively devilish grin curls up until he’s showing off his fangs.
Chapter 12
Flutters in the Iron Maiden
CINDER
Adark chunk of hair falls over Kaison’s gaze, his eyes hooded with lust.
I want to say something, but my throat constricts, cutting off anything from coming out.
“I would start,” he murmurs, his voice low and husky, “by tracing the curve of your jaw with my fingertips. Slowly, so you can feel every movement, every caress as if it were a whisper against your skin.”
He can’t be serious.
Kaison’s eyes darken with intensity. “I want that robe in a puddle at your feet. I want to discover all the secrets you hide under there. More ink, maybe a bit of metal?” He lifts an eyebrow in suggestion.
No. Tell him to stop. This is ridiculous. We aren’t really involved, it’s just for show.
“I'd drag my fingers over your bare arms. Trace the petals of the cherry blossom tattoos along the smooth skin and follow theskulls no matter where they lead.” His words become languid, each syllable drugging me.
Phantom sensations caress my tattoo, swooping down my rib cage where it swirls under my breast.
The coals in my stomach burn brighter, hotter, heating the blood in my veins. My heartbeat slows, pounding in heavy, rhythmic thumps. In moments, I’m hypnotized. The room fades around us and there is only the space between us and the words traveling from him to me.
Kaison’s eyes drop down my body with open desire, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. “I want to slip my fingers under that silk robe until I find your sweet little nipples. Find out if they are shades of rosy pink or a dusky brown. Though,” a wicked grin curves his mouth, “based on the outline I’m highly keyed in on right now, I can see I’ll have little bars to play with as well because, like me you have a penchant for piercings.”
My breath catches in my throat. The tips of my breasts screw up into little buds, clenching around the piercings and intensifying the arousal shooting through me like an electric shock. Goosebumps wash over my entire body. Even though I’m still in panties and the robe, I feel completely naked and exposed.
My mouth parts then shuts.
Tell him to stop. Tell him you don’t like this.
