Page 106 of Conspirators' Kingdom

“Show-off.”

“Always,” he purred.

He nibbled on her ears as she dared to touch his, kissing down the length of her neck, nipping her in places she’d never known could be so sensitive. When his lips found her nipple and tugged, she cried out. As his clever fingers began tweaking the other, she gripped his head, biting back another undignified sound, unsure if she wanted to pull him away or press him closer. He chuckled against her breast, the coolness of his breath sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine. Violet strands circled her wrists, pulling her hands away as his eyes met hers.

“Stop holding back, Taisiya. I want to hear how good this is for you.”

She could feel her face flaming with shame.

“It’s embarrassing.”

“Do you like what I’m doing?” he asked, tongue teasing her nipple.

“Y-yes.”

“Then let me hear your little gasps and moans. There’s no one here but us, and I like the sounds you make.”

“But—”

“But nothing,” he growled, grinding his erection against her, eliciting a sharp inhale. “That’s better.” Mereruka smiled, bending his head back to his task.

Her hands bound by his hair, he played with her nipples until even the barest hint of his breath was enough to make her moan.

“Meri, please, I need to touch you too.”

“Trust me, if I let you go now, you’ll be tearing out my hair.” He winked, trailing kisses down her stomach, heading right for her aching core.

She stiffened, clenching her legs together. When he flicked his citrine eyes up at her, he must have seen her trepidation. He stopped, hair releasing her wrists in an instant.

“We don’t have to do this, Taisiya. Would you like me to stop?”

“No! No… it’s just…”

He waited patiently, threading his fingers through hers. Gods, why was this always so difficult for her? She was certain her face was beet red as she fought to say the words she dreaded speaking.

“I’ve never really enjoyed what comes after kissing.”

The silence was palpable, as was his stillness. Taisiya couldn’t meet his gaze, certain she’d ruined everything now. What husband would be happy with a wife who wasn’t able to enjoy the act itself?

When he finally responded, his voice was deadly calm.

“Did your previous experiences bore you? Or did someone make it unpleasant for you?”

That wasn’t the face of a disappointed man. No, it was the face of a man plotting murder most foul.

“Both? It was always uncomfortable but mercifully brief,” she replied.

“Has Vasilisa already killed them?”

Taisiya shook her head. Dragged them through the void, most certainly, but killed? No.

“Good. I’ll have the pleasure myself.”

“You’re being overdramatic.”

“That’s a matter of perspective. One I don’t share.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. When he released a gusty sigh, his breath made her skin tingle. “Nothing we do together should be either of those things. If you dislike something, you need only say so and it will never happen again. If you say stop, I will stop.”

“Oh,” she said. He wasn’t disappointed in her. He wanted things to be good between them. Taisiya blinked back tears as warmth blossomed in her chest, chasing away the dread. Now, all that remained was anxious need. “T-then don’t stop.”

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