“It’s alright.” He smirks. “Perhaps the next man who attacks you will be gentlemanly enough to point out your mistake before you hurt yourself?”
I groan, shoving the dagger back into my corset.
“That was better, though,” he adds seriously. “You’re quicker than I thought.” He steps back to his place on the carpet. “Speed is a good thing. If you can’t overpower your enemy, outrun them.”
“But you’re stronger than me, and faster,” I argue.
Grinning, he shrugs. “Then find another way.”
My eyes narrow as he just chuckles.
“Let’s go again,” he says, swallowing his laughter. “I’ll be slower this time. Really try with the dagger.”
As if I wasn’t trying before.My scowl deepens.
Exhaling, I brace for another collision with the wall. But the moment Kaz lunges towards me, an idea pops into my head. It’s risky. Completely foolish. He might expect it. Still, there’s no harm in trying.
Whipping out the dagger, I lower it to my side. Then, when he’s heartbeats away, I rise onto my tiptoes and loop my arms around his shoulders, pulling myself closer.
My lips collide with his.
Kasimir freezes. Every muscle within him tenses as our bodies crash together. For a moment, I’m sure he’ll force me away.
I feel his shoulders stiffen. His jaw clenches.
But then he groans, and any aggression in his stance melts away into something much softer.
The arm that was shoving against my hips, curls gently around my waist. His other arm flies up to tangle his fingers through my hair. The feeling makes me shiver, and with a sigh, my lips part.
Of course, Kasimir doesn’t stop to question the invitation. His tongue dips into my mouth, and I moan in surprise.
I’ve never been kissed like this before. Or at least, not in a way that was enjoyable for me. But this, this is magical. I’ve no idea what I’m doing and yet still, everything feels so right. It’s so natural, like I was made for him. When his fingers tug at my hair, another moan slips out of me.
“Those damn noises,” he growls against my lips. His hands drop to my backside, and he forces me up to his hips, my legs locking around him.
I gasp, stroking his shoulders. But then the rough hilt of my wooden dagger pulls me back to reality, and my eyes flutter open.
There’s a reason we’re kissing right now.
Swallowing, I pretend to moan as my arm slips down his back. Slowly, and without breaking the kiss, I manoeuvre the blade until it’s almost touching his chest. Then, I jab the tip into him.
Kasimir stiffens.
“Got you.” I smile against his lips.
Our foreheads collide as he tips his chin down.
“So you did,” he remarks, out of breath. His gaze lifts back to my swollen lips. “Tell me you’re not planning on using that trick on anyone else.”
My head tilts. “Why? You don’t think it would work again?”
His grip on my backside tightens as I gasp. “No, it would work,” he says in a voice that rumbles through me. “And if you missed with your dagger, I’d be sure to finish the job. Swiftly.”
Warmth pools in my lower belly. “You’d kill them for me?”
“Of course,” he murmurs. “Because those pretty lips are mine, Amaryllis.” I shudder. “All mine.”
He snarls before squeezing my backside and striding over to the wall, shoving me against it until I’m completely engulfed by him. Dark leather. Dark green eyes.
