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“Yes,” he nodded. “You served me the other night.”
“Yes,” I responded and gave him a quick and shy smile before dropping my gaze back to my hands.
“Regardless,” he continued, inhaling deeply. “You must be aware that you aren’t allowed here. I could have you beaten for trespassing.”
I dared to look up at him then and when I looked into his eyes, I could see the submissive routine wasn’t working. There was nothing in his harsh violet eyes that suggested otherwise. Time to change tactics. Perhaps he wanted a different side of the innocent—childlike, yes, but instead of playing the innocent child, perhaps I needed to play the naughty one. “Or you could beat me… yourself.”
I knew from the other girls that Prince Balduin enjoyed putting them over his knee for some light recreational spanking, perhaps it was a predilection the master shared with him?
Hmm, but no, he didn’t seem to take the bait, but looked at me a little suspiciously, and I wondered if I’d overplayed my hand.
Blast.
“Aren’t you afraid of me?” he asked but the words came out as more of a demand.
I cleared my throat as I held his gaze and wondered whether I would get farther playing submissive or rebellious? As I gazed into those violet depths, they seemed to shadow with his anger. Yes, it was time to shelve the submissive act and try dominant instead. “Do you want me to be?”
“Most people are.”
“Yes,” I agreed.
“And you…”
Hmm, it didn’t seem that either act was fooling him. Perhaps he was the more direct sort? The type of man who appreciated a woman making the first move? I supposed that made a certain sort of sense because he was unaccustomed to anyone being dominant with him. Everyone cowered before him, afraid to upset him and release his legendary temper.
He took a step closer to me. “You came here purposely knowing you could be beaten for it.”
“Yes,” I answered.
“You didn’t care.”
I swallowed hard but held his gaze. “No.”
“Then you are either foolhardy or foolish.”
“Perhaps both, sir.”
He chuckled then and took another step nearer me, glancing down and holding my gaze. “You are aware that Balduin fancies you.”
I cleared my throat. “Yessir.”
“Were you hoping to find him here?”
I shook my head. “No, sir.”
“You were hoping to findmethen?”
At that moment, it occurred to me I could play this one of two ways—either dominantly claim the gold or beat around the bush a bit longer. I still hadn’t sorted out just what type of man Nicolo was so I opted to play it a bit safer.
“I just… wanted a bath, sir.”
“And what would you think if you ended up getting more than you bargained for?” As he said the words, he lowered his face and brought it closer to mine. I could feel my eyes going wide of their own accord as my heart began to race, something I found odd because I thought I’d schooled myself against such silly responses. Apparently not.
“More than I bargained for, sir?”
“You are luckyIfound you and not a less… noble man.”
“Why is that, sir?”
