Page 87 of The Assassin's Dancer
My brow lowers. “What are you talking about?”
“Let’s play a game, Ruby,” he says, a wicked grin spreading across his jaw. “If you win, I’ll let you leave with Orion, but if I win…” His eyes darken. “You give yourself to me.”
My breath catches. I should say no. I should spin on my heels and return to my bedchamber. But curiosity is dancing with all the nervous flutters in my stomach, so instead I ask, “What kind of game?”
Hunger flashes in his eyes. “Hide and seek. I’ll find you.”
I almost laugh. “This palace is huge. You might never catch me.”
“Makes it all the more of a tempting offer for you, then,” he replies with a shrug. “And I’ll make it even more tempting. Onceyou find a good spot, count to a hundred, and if by then I still haven’t found you, you win.”
Narrowing my eyes, I cross my arms. “This game seems highly rigged in my favour.”
Kaz tosses me a grin. “At least you can’t say I cheated when I claim my prize.”
“You’re awfully confident for someone who’s going to lose.” I match his tone.
“Am I?”
We both chuckle as my heart stutters. I know what he’s doing. This is goodbye. Even if the desire burning in his eyes feels like the start of something wonderful.
“Fine. I’ll play your game,” I sigh. “But when you inevitably never find me, let this be our goodbye.” With an aching heart, I step forward and roll onto my tiptoes. Throwing my arms around his shoulders, our lips collide just as his arms curl around my waist.
Stars, will I miss this…We fit so perfectly together. His dark to my light. Like flowers blooming at midnight, or a rose painted black.
As our tongues clash together, I melt into him, never wanting this to end. But oddly enough it’s Kaz who pulls away first.
With hunger in his eyes, he murmurs against my lips, “You better leave now, Ruby, because you’ve got about two minutes before I hunt you down.”
My thighs clench.
“Run.”
30
KASIMIR
My cock throbs as I watch her perfect legs sprint down the grassy path.
Fuck. Why did she have to kiss me? I was already struggling enough just imagining what I’ll do when I catch her. Having her tongue down my throat made me want to wrap her hair around my fist, bend her over the rail, and fuck her tight pussy until ‘Kasimir’ was the only name left in her mind.
Groaning, I blink up at the wisteria ceiling. I wasn’t lying when I said this whole display took me hours to put together. And I’m not sorry for the absolute state I left Sol’s flower gardens in.
Still, all that hacking through the mud, the new calluses on my fingers, the petals in my hair, it was worth it to see Ruby’s face when she realised I did this. Me. All for her. And I’d do it all over again tomorrow to see that fucking smile one more time.
I wait a few extra minutes before following her. Since I’m a gentleman, I’ll give her enough time to find a good spot, get comfortable and let her thoughts run wild with what I’ll do once I find her.
She was all confident until I told her to run.
Then, it was like a candle being snuffed out.
Her lips quivered, and she let out the softest moan. And I didn’t miss the way her nipples pebbled under her thin dance gown, teasing me. Those are all mine tonight too. Damn perfect tits.
Quickening my pace, I follow the kicked up stones and flattened grass until I make it to an unguarded entrance inside the palace. The wooden door is swinging, and there’s dirt on the marble tiles, but not just any dirt – little dance shoe footsteps leading all the way down the corridor.
“Oh, Ruby,” I laugh to myself. “You’re making this far too easy.”
Chuckling, I hurry down the hallway. The dirt fades the further down I go, but I don’t need it any more. I can already smell the honey-scented creams in her hair, the rose bathwater she rubs onto her skin, and something much, much sweeter that sends all the blood rushing to my cock.
