Page 150 of This Vicious Dream

I know exactly what Madinia looks like when she’s relaxing in a tub of warm water. Her eyelids grow heavy, her cheeks flush pink, her expression turns slumberous.

I pace, unable to ignore each of her soft sighs, the sound of water, the memories of our last bath flashing through my mind.

Finally, Madinia stands, and my mouth goes dry as I imagine the water streaming from her body. She steps out of the bath, her body little more than a shadow, but my mind provides all of the missing details.

More rustling as she dries herself. She didn’t take clean clothes with her, so I wait, tense. Will she wrap a towel around her and walk into view, digging through her satchel?

Or will she—

Madinia saunters out from behind the screen, and my mouth drops open.

She’s naked, the warm candlelight flickering lovingly over her skin. I almost trip over my feet, and amusement flashes through her eyes.

She knows what she does to me. She enjoys it.

“You’ve had your fun.” I barely recognize the rough growl that spills from my throat. “Now come here.”

One eyebrow shoots up, and she reaches up a hand, releasing her hair from its clip. Miles of wine-colored hair fall over her shoulders, reaching to her lower back.

I drink her in. “Are you enjoying teasing me?”

She bites her tongue and gives me a wide smile. “Are you enjoying being teased?”

I am.

But only to a point.

Her eyes widen as I lunge toward her, lifting her into my arms. She clutches my shoulders at the sudden movement, a laugh spilling from her lips, and I bask in the sound as I stride to the bed, dropping her onto the soft sheets.

Red lips curve and she stares up at me. “I’m surprised you lasted as long as you did. I half expected you to haul me out of the water.”

“Baths relax you,” I mutter, my voice gruff. “I wastryingto control myself.”

Those incredible eyes soften, and she sinks her teeth into her lower lip. “You don’t need to control yourself now.”

“You’d like that wouldn’t you? You’d like for me to lose control.” I lower my head, pressing a gentle kiss to those lush lips. My body is tense, muscles trembling with the need to take her, to make her mine. And yet…

Her eyes narrow. “You have something else in mind?”

“Oh, sweetheart, you have no idea.”

She tenses, and I brush my lips against hers. She chases my mouth as I pull away and shake my head. “Do you trust me?”

“No.” The word is belligerent. Sulky. And I can’t help the laugh that spills from me.

I strip off my pants, enjoying the way her eyes darken as her gaze drifts over my body.

“I don’t trust you either. You’re a deceptive, haughty little liar. And yet I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you.”

Her brow furrows. I could spend hours studying Madinia’s face. She often hides her thoughts behind her cool, blank expressions, and yet I know her well enough now to recognize her tells. I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of time watching the way her eyes widen minutely when she’s surprised, the way they turn to slits when she’s infuriated. I’ve memorized the arch of her eyebrow, the darkening of her eyes, the way she tucks her hair behind her ear when she’s uncomfortable.

Like she does now. “It must be difficult for you,” she murmurs. “Wanting someone you don’t particularly like.” There’s a strange knowledge in her eyes, and I get the sudden sense she’s hiding something from me.

“I never said I didn’t like you.”

She sniffs, attempting to push against my chest. I merely capture her wrists with one of my hands. Her jaw tightens, but she stares over my shoulder.

“You said I have an ice-cold heart.”

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