Page 98 of The Poison Daughter
I clear my throat. “I don’t know if I can climax more than once.”
“You can.”
His confidence chafes. It breaks the spell.
I tilt my head, glaring at him over my shoulder. “We’ll see about that.”
“If you’re so certain you’re an unsolvable puzzle, then perhaps we should practice ahead of time.” His grin turns roguish.
I choke on a startled laugh. “Of course that’s your suggestion.”
“I’m not above taking instruction. Show me how it’s done.” He gestures to the table.
Warmth spreads up my neck to my cheeks. He wants me to get myself off in front of him right here, right now.
“Didn’t think you’d be one to blush, lovely,” he says.
I roll my eyes. “I’m not. I was just caught off guard by the suggestion. It’s not like I haven’t done it before.”
“So you like to be watched?”
My stomach twists at the gruffness of his tone. I do, but he hasn’t earned that information.
“What I like is irrelevant. This is a business arrangement.”
“Well, if that’s your attitude about sex, I understand why you haven’t had much success with a partner.”
I shoot him a scathing look, but he just laughs.
“Harlow, you’re going to need to lighten up. Show me. I promise to keep my hands to myself. Perhaps you’re not as sure of yourself as I thought.”
I have to rise to the occasion. He needs to be humbled. Thank the Divine I only brought scandalous underthings with me.
I shove the book onto the floor and slide onto the table, hiking my dress up in one smooth motion.
He goes silent as he catches a glimpse of the green silk garters.
“For someone so focused on practicality, you certainly seem to appreciate fancy undergarments,” I taunt, sliding my fingers over the top of the stockings.
“Well, they hardly seem frivolous on your body—though one wonders why you bother wearing something so intricate if you weren’t planning on showing it off.”
I frown. “Bold to assume that I wear them for anyone but myself.” I snap one of the garters, and his hands flex at his sides. “Want to know what I like, Henry?”
He tracks my fingers as they slide higher, gently rubbing over the lace between my legs. I’m already wet and I don’t doubt that I’m going to be able to easily get myself off in front of him simply because he’s turned it into a challenge. If I was focused on anything but the finish line, I’d be more self-conscious, but the only thing I’m focused on now is my desire to get the upper hand back in our exchange.
If he was one of the idiots I snuck off with back in Lunameade, I might try for the performance of it all, giving him a good look and reminding him that he can’t touch.
But Henry is something else entirely and the freedom of me focusing on my own pleasure will get to him more than even my finest performance.
I close my eyes and tip my head back as I drag the strip of lace to the side. Henry lets out a sigh, and I feel his gaze fixed on my hand. The table creaks as I lean back and draw my hand away, letting him have a clear view.
Then, I slide my fingers over my clit and sigh. With my eyes closed, I watch the pulse of his aura as it swells and shifts around his body, forming a crude outline of him. I’ve tried not to study it too closely, butnow I see the intricacy of it. It’s a deep purple, but as it swells, it looks almost like a burnt plum color closer to his skin.
I move my fingers faster, pinching my clit before sliding a finger inside myself. I moan.
Henry’s aura flares wider, pressing right up to the edge of mine.
My skin is hot as I pump my fingers faster and rub the heel of my palm over my clit. My muscles tense as I chase my pleasure and try to ignore Henry altogether.
