Kasimir narrows his eyes, then asks smoothly, “Was it because I fucked you in the whorehouse?”
“What?” A fierce blush burns up my neck. “We did not… Whatever you did to me in that private room was devious, and if my father ever found out, he’d almost certainly have us both executed. But it was not… fucking,” I hiss.Even if it did feelabsolutely amazing.“Because I’m fairly sure that would require us both to be undressed, and…”
My voice trails off as I notice Kaz’s sly grin.
“So you do remember?” he muses.
Oh no.
“Of course not!” I blurt. “Well, maybe a little bit, but—” A squeak flies from my lips as Kasimir’s hands fall to my backside and he squeezes firmly.
“Take off your gown, Ruby.”
I shudder. “What?”
“You heard me.” One of his hands trails up my spine, teasing my lower back. “Take. Off. Your. Gown.”
“I-I can’t do that.” My breasts feel heavy beneath my bodice. It’s not a tight dress, but with Kasimir looking at me like that, it feels like I’m wrapped in wool.
“I’ll give you two choices, Princess,” he growls, his green eyes darkening. “You take off that gown and show me that pretty body of yours again, or…” – he pauses, removing his hands as he leans back in the chair – “I’ll carry you to my bed and find somewhere else to sleep.”
His words catch me off guard. “You’d just leave me in here? Alone?”
“I’m not going to force you to do anything.” He rolls his shoulders. “I might be a monster, but I’m not that kind of evil.”
Warmth builds inside me, melting away my fear, until I find myself desperate to pull on the laces of my bodice.
“You’ll stop if I ask you to?”What am I doing? This is so wrong.
Kaz nods slowly. “But be careful, Amaryllis. I don’t like to share.” His voice rumbles through me. “If you give yourself to me, I won’t ever give you back. No matter how much you hate me. Or how much you beg. You’ll be mine until the demons of hell drag me down with them. Do you understand?”
Reaching for my corset lacing, I nod.
“Say that you understand,” he grumbles. “It’s very important that you realise just what you’re getting into here. I won’t let you go after this, Amaryllis. I can’t.” His gaze locks onto mine.
“I understand.”
“Good,” he purrs. His grip around my waist tightens.
Blood rushes to my ears. “I-I haven’t ever done this before… So I don’t really know what I’m—” A finger presses my lips shut before I can utter another word.
“Allow me.” Kaz flicks a blade out from his sleeve and slices through my laces.
I gasp as the top of my gown falls away.
His gaze pours over my bare chest. I feel so exposed. I almost wrap my arms around myself until the hunger in his voice makes me freeze.
“So fucking beautiful.” His hands squeeze the flesh of my waist. Before I can reply, he scoops me up by my backside. “And all fucking mine.”
I yelp as he carries me towards the bed. “Kasimir!”
“Don’t be afraid, Princess,” he murmurs, cradling me. “I’ll be gentle. The first time.” His green eyes sparkle.
“I’m scared it will hurt,” I whisper. “My maids said it would. They told me it’s only meant to be nice for the men.”
Kaz’s brow furrowed. “Then your maids have terrible lovers.” Gently he lowers me onto my feet beside his bed as my gown slips to my ankles. “It won’t hurt, Ruby. I promise you that. But if it does, then you tell me and I’ll stop. Immediately.”
My weak knees paired with the throbbing between my thighs makes it hard to stay standing. “You promise?”
