Page 143 of Kneel Before Me

“How do you like it, Daphne?” he whispered. “Tell me.”

“Slow,” she whispered back. “At first.”

Immediately, he slowed his motions. “And then?”

“Faster.”

Maximus didn’t go faster yet. He was showing her that he could listen—that he could be patient. Clearly patience was required in order to seduce her. If he ever wanted to touch her properly, he’d have to do it this way first. Their lips never touched, although they came close. It took all of Maximus’s self-control not to close the distance and smash his mouth against hers. Everything about her drew him in: the warmth of her body, the scent of her skin, the flush that built gradually on her freckled cheeks. Her beauty was stupefying. He could stare at her forever.

It was unbelievable to see how she reacted to his touch. Maximus felt every hitch in her breath, heard every tiny noise that she made. He welcomed it all, taking everything she would give him, holding her as close as he dared without trapping her. He wanted to do so much more. He wanted to do everything. But he could not. He would practice restraint, even if it killed him.

Maximus dared to break her gaze, tracing his eyes down her neck instead. He followed with his lips, his heart surging in his chest when he heard a gasp escape her mouth. He wanted to hear that gasp again over and over, and he wanted them both to be naked while he heard it.

“Daphne,” he murmured against the warm skin of her throat. “Daphne.”

He could only say her name; full sentences were beyond him. If it was the only word he said for the rest of his life he would be just fine with that.

“Max,” she whispered back.

His cock was so hard it was beginning to ache. He knew she could feel it; they were pressed together too tightly for her not to. A hundred warring desires engulfed Maximus: her on his bed, splayed open for him. Her on her knees, pleasuring him. Him on his knees, returning the favor. He wanted her to touch his cock, to stroke it with her perfect hands, to cry out as he fell apart inside her. To actually fuck her would be a privilege beyond words. For now he could only imagine it.

Daphne was close. Her breaths came quickly, her hips jerking to meet his touch. Maximus went faster now, just the way she liked. He knew she was seconds away when her hands gripped the pommel, her knuckles whitening. Maximus shifted his body weight forward, pressing his fingers against her clitoris while pressing her hips against the saddle. At last, Daphne came.

It was the sweetest sound in the world—the most delectable symphony. He wanted to kiss her on the mouth, to drink her moans like they were water. Instead he held her tightly—so tightly that he could feel every shudder as it passed through her body, not letting go even when she was once more limp in his arms. They sat there together, breath coalescing in white clouds, the wind snapping at their cheeks.

Without a word, Maximus took the reins once more. They rode back around the castle in silence, each canter sending a jolt down his still-hard cock. When they reached the stables, Maximus hopped off before helping Daphne down. The moment her feet were once more on the ground, she slumped against the horse.

“Daphne?” He leaned in closer, realizing she was pale. “Are you feeling well?”

She shook her head.

“What’s wrong?”

Was it just the cold air? Or did she look rather ill?

“Daphne,” Maximus said desperately. “If I went too far, I apologize. I—I couldn’t help myself. I should have—”

She shook her head, and he cut off. “I’m just…tired,” she said slowly. “I…think.”

Relief swept through him, although it was tentative. “I see.”

He paused, and they looked at each other.

“I…had fun today,” she whispered. “With you.”

He raised his eyebrows. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

She crossed her arms. Then she shrugged. “It’s not a bad thing. It’s just…not what I expected.”

Maximus decided to take that as a compliment. If she was warming up to him, he would accept any concession of favor. “Shall I take you home?” he offered.

It was the last thing he wanted to do. Yet he knew there was no use trying to get her to stay. He was playing the long game now, and it would require patience—something he was not accustomed to—something that he would gladly learn for her.

“Yes,” she said.

They were just turning to leave when the last person he wanted to see appeared.

“Maximus,” Augustus said. “Come with me.”