Page 76 of Conspirators' Kingdom

Taisiya nodded. In the short silence that followed, her timidity returned. She swallowed and looked away from him.

“Go on. Tell me what bothers you,” he said, hoping to coax her out.

“Will you just…”

“Yes?” he asked, enjoying the sight of her turning thoroughly pink.

“Just kiss me and get it over with?” She asked so quickly she blurred the words together. She hugged her chest, covering her breasts and refusing to look him in the eye. Tension held her still.

His first impulse was to do just that. He liked her vicious little mind, and he liked this shy side of her as well. The idea of taking the lead in the bedroom pleased him. But the phrase ‘get it over with’ poured cold water over any enthusiasm. In truth, he was a little affronted. That bit of pique held him back. Normally, he might have enjoyed luring her out of her shell, but her request rubbed him the wrong way.

“With such honeyed words, who could deny you?” he grumbled.

When she chanced to look up, she would see that he had not moved an inch from where he sat. Sipped his wine instead, in fact. Much as he wanted to see what there could be between them, he wanted no question as to whether or not she yearned for him in return. He liked her enough that her rejection would sting, and loathe as he was to admit it, he didn’t want to go to bed licking that particular wound.

“So… you won’t?”

“Hmm? Do you want to be kissed? Or do you want it to beover with? Which part were you sincerely asking for?” He raised his brow and leaned back.

“Oh…” Her eyes widened with surprise. She looked away guiltily. “Have I hurt your feelings?”

“Wouldn’t yours be, if I treated such things with you as an embarrassing chore?” he retorted.

Her cheeks heated further, this time with anger. Her brows furrowed and her eyes turned stormy.

“Damn you! I’m doing my best!”

“Then your skills in this regard require a great deal more practice,” he replied. “If you want a kiss, then come over here. I’m not going to force one on you.”

Her anger had her marching three-quarters of the way over to him, her arm covering her breasts. The last few steps, though, seemed like they might be too far. Her thoughts were like vines, grabbing hold of her ankles. Thoughts written so plainly on her unguarded face. Fear. Shame. Uncertainty. Hardly the passion he wanted from her. Hurt, he decided to goad her.

“If you make it those next few steps, don’t kiss me unless you intend to do so like a lover would,” he said as his heart thundered in his chest.

Damn. So much for seducing her. Would she even bother to move now? He’d been a bit of a cad, letting his fear of her possible rejection spur him. Her face fell.

Gods, he’d messed this up. He’d suspected the mages were a bit of a prudish lot. Why had he pushed her so quickly? Was there a way to salvage this? She looked so vulnerable, defeated.Shit.He was going to have to give her a glimpse of his own vulnerability to make it right.

“I never want to feel like a chore to you, Taisiya,” Mereruka murmured.

Whatever had moored her to the spot suddenly loosened. She stepped forward, erasing the distance between them and swallowed nervously. Leaning down, she kissed him, a soft brushing of her lips. He kissed her back, startling her with his ferocity. At her gasp, he slid his tongue along hers. Hands gripping his shoulders, she pulled him in instead of pushing him back. Her tongue began teasing his, and he stood, drawing her flush against him. He angled his head to kiss her deeper, earning him her moan of pleasure and the bite of her nails digging into his scalp. Hands pressed to her back, his fingers wandered up and down the length of it. Grabbing her shapely rear with one hand, he ground his hips against hers. Her jerk of surprise had her rubbing dangerously along his erection. Merciful gods, the friction was delicious. They pulled their lips apart, both breathing heavily.

He wanted to be inside her very badly.

“Do you want to see where this takes us, Taisiya?” he asked, his voice deepened with desire as he took a steadying breath.

To his surprise, she chuckled.

“As if the destination were a mystery?” she panted, her eyes locked on his lips.

He leaned down and kissed her tenderly, wringing another moan from her. When their lips parted a second time, she was trembling. Her eyes fixed on his mouth, her fingers holding him close—her desire was plain, but still she hesitated. What was it she feared? Had someone hurt her? The very thought made him murderous.

“Not… not yet. But… can we do this again?” she asked.

He groaned, pulling her hard against him, revelling in the soft, wet heat of her skin against his. His copper-haired wife was full of passion. She wanted him, he was certain, but something was holding her back. No matter, he could be patient, now that he knew what awaited him.

“You plan to tempt me sorely? It’s cruel of you, but then again, I wanted a wicked woman for my wife.” He looked into her amethyst eyes and kissed her. “We can do this anytime you like. In fact, I insist on it.” And may the forgotten gods bless him with the self-control he would need in the days ahead.

“Oh… good.” She smiled and then glanced down, a sharp inhalation the only clue that she felt his length against her. “Should I get out first, or would you…?”

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