Page 46 of Savage Games

A roller coaster racing to the top of a vicious drop…

A server interrupted my pensive thoughts as he placed a small charcoal-colored bowl in front of me.

“This is a Chocolate Vibrato with a crunchy meringue and lemongrass tea with an Assam berry sorbet,” he said, rolling his consonants in heavily accented English.

Richard swiped a spoon through the sorbet and held it to my lips. As the tart sweetness melted onto my tongue, he divulged, “Eat up. My next game is about to begin.”

CHAPTER 16

LIZZIE

Just like that… the roller coaster tipped over the top and tumbled down the track into the darkness… only to climb up the very next rise.

I heard a minor commotion on the other side of the apartment door just as we rose from the table. A server immediately approached Richard with something dark draped over his arms. As we got closer, I realized they were furs.

Selecting the top one, Richard held the coat up as I pushed my arms through before he draped it over my shoulders.

As he shrugged into his own fur coat, I stroked my hand down the luxurious softness. Looking up at him in wonder, he winked at me. “It’s chilly outside on the parapet,” he offered as he stepped closer and placed a finger under my chin. “I don’t want my little one to feel cold ever again.”

Understanding his double meaning, I lowered my eyes and nodded.

Message received.

I’m pretty sure the violinist played ‘Heaven’ by Julia Michaels just as we stepped out into the night.

Falling for him… was like falling from grace.

I suspected the violinist knew something I didn’t… or perhaps I did but just didn’t want to face it.

The heights were dizzying as the wind whipped around us. As I snuggled closer inside my fur, I could see what had caused the commotion. Surrounding the iron railing were numerous women. Their backs were turned to us as they faced out to the city. All I could tell was they were all dressed in the same black cocktail dress with their hair pulled back into a severe bun at the napes of their necks.

Without even acknowledging the women, Richard led me to a secluded spot overlooking the manicured grounds of the Champ de Mars.

“Richard, who are those…”

“Never mind them. Look at me.”

I had to crane my head back, he was so tall and imposing.

Richard stroked his hand over my hair before resting it against my neck. His thumb rubbed along my collarbone. An oddly threatening caress.

“From the moment I first laid eyes on you, I knew I had to make you mine. I’m not sure how to explain it. There was something about your beauty and innocence that captured my heart, and now I cannot imagine my life without you.”

Oh, my God.

Richard stepped closer, so our bodies touched, his dominating presence looming large over me.

“You’re mine, Elizabeth, and it’s no longer good enough for me to know that… I need the world to know it. I need them to know you are my wife, my duchess, my own,” he growled as he leaned down to claim my mouth in a violent kiss.

The force of his body caused me to take several steps back. I could feel the press of the iron railing against my lower back. A frisson of fear raced over me as I realized that with just a little more pressure, his kiss could send me over the edge, dropping me to my death.

These violent delights have violent ends.

His lips bruised mine as his tongue took possession. We both tasted of dark chocolate and wine. When he finally relented, I could barely catch my breath. The world spun.

Placing his arm through mine, he led me back to where the women were still standing, as still as statues. Then, by some silent cue, they slowly turned, one by one.

Each of the women wore a mask that covered their complete face except for their lips. In their outstretched arms, they held a purple velvet pillow on which rested a stunning engagement ring. I quickly realized the jewel color of each of their masks coordinated with the jewel in the ring.

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