AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My hands moved, running across my ribs and lower. Deliberately, I ran my fingers along the waistband of my lounge pants. Samkiel’s eyes followed, his irises edged with pure silver. I rolled my hips in a rhythm meant to tease and entice. His chest heaved, and he held his breath.
The waistband slipped over my hips, and my pants pooled around my feet. I stepped out of them, standing before him naked. I padded toward him with the effortless grace of a predator. He drank me in as if he was afraid this was a dream, and he was committing every curve, indentation, swell to memory. He may have been one of the most powerful beings in this world and the next, but in that moment, I had the power, and I reveled in it.
He watched me approach, silver sparking in his eyes, but he didn’t move or speak. I stopped just inches from him, the heat of his body a beacon. His hands closed into fists, and his body trembled as he held himself in place. I slid my fingers over his chest, tugging playfully at the silver buttons on his council garbs.
Heat pooled low in my belly. I rested one hand on Samkiel’s broad shoulder and looked up at him through my lashes. Pushing to my tiptoes, I leaned in against him and whispered, “Maybe another time.”
I shoved against his shoulder, hard enough to jolt him, and walked to the tub. Truthfully, it was more of a pool than a tub, water still pouring into it from above. I stepped beneath the warm water, letting it rush over me before I waded deeper. I settled on a seat and slicked my wet hair back from my face before turning to face Samkiel. He was still staring at me, squeezing the bottle in his hand so hard it was a wonder it hadn’t broken.
“It’s rude to stare, you know?”
Samkiel jerked as if I’d startled him. He licked his lips and said, “I’ll make you something to eat.” His voice was rough and had dropped an octave. I smirked, knowing I had won. He turned away from the tub and strode from the room.
“You don’t even know how to cook!” I called after him.
I didn’t hear a response, which meant he’d probably sprinted once he was outside the bathroom. For the first time in a long time, I genuinely smiled and sank deeper into the fragrant water.
I took my time washing my hair and letting the heat ease my muscles. The water ran the whole time, never overfilling and never getting cold. I stepped out and wrapped myself in a thick, soft towel before returning to my room. I pulled on comfortable clothes, brushed my hair back, and padded downstairs barefoot.
“You smell better.”
“Shut up.”
I sat at the island, watching Samkiel shape what looked like multi-colored dough. He placed a few pieces on two plates and held his hand over them. Light poured from his palm, and they rose slightly before turning a golden brown.
“That’s cheating,” I said.
“Don’t worry. As you said, I may not know how to cook, but I know how to survive.”
I nodded, adjusting my seat. So he had heard me. He slid a plate toward me and sat down. Besides the bread and what looked like their version of eggs, he’d piled it high with various colorful fruits. It was beautiful, yet my stomach didn’t growl or rumble.
“You’re not sleeping.”
I stabbed my fork at the food. “And how would you know?”
He cut a slice of fruit and placed it in his mouth. “The dark circles under your eyes.”
My mouth fell open. I tossed a piece of fruit at him, but he just caught it and popped it into his mouth. “You can’t just tell a woman she has bags under her eyes. Holy gods, it’s no wonder you are still alone.”
“So you aren’t sleeping?” he asked, completely unfazed.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but no, not really.”
“I can help.”
“Oh, yeah?” I folded my arms, leaning back in my seat. “Is this another flirty proposition?”
Samkiel grinned, his mood brightening, but he ignored my barb. “Depends if you’re going to disrobe in front of me again.”
“Depends if you’re nice or not.”
He lifted a brow. “I would suggest not.”
My eyes narrowed on him as he continued to eat.
“I am going to be perfectly clear with you. My feelings for you have not changed since Chasin, regardless of yours. Teasing is not fun for me. Do not do it again unless you wish for a different outcome.”
I knew he meant every word, and heat pooled in my core. His gaze never left mine, not as he spoke and not as he took a sip of his water. I watched the muscles of his throat work as he swallowed. No matter how I wanted to deny it, I wanted him. What fool wouldn’t? But that didn’t mean I wouldn’t continue to test him.
