Page 58 of An Empress of Fire & Steel

Smug bastard!

He really did overestimate his effect on women. Or maybe he just underestimated her.

Since he was so sure that it would be her who caved into her desires and not him, maybe she should test that.

She swallowed hard as she made her way around the bed.

Maybe she could just test those desires to see how she felt too.

Torin’s back remained facing her and she second-guessed what she was about to do.

A flutter in her stomach reminded her of innocent nerves, but the pounding in her heart reminded her that she was alive, she was in control, and she certainly wouldn’t be underestimated by any man. Ever.

She wouldn’t kiss him. But she could play with him for being a self-assured, egotistical, self-righteous man. He thought she wanted to kiss him more than he wanted to kiss her.

Her breath caught.

Maybe it was true. The Gods themselves only knew, but she would be damned if she was about to show him that.

She perched herself against the railing of the bed, the curve of her bottom, resting against the wood, lifting the emerald fabric slightly higher up her thigh. She lifted one bare leg over the other and dragged a hand through the top of her wet hair before flipping it over her shoulder, making it untamed. Rolling her lips between her teeth, she looked down. She slowly dragged one finger down the cleavage of her night gown, hooking her finger into the fabric and adjusting it lower, exposing more of her skin. Her hand shook, but only a little, as she placed it back down against her thigh.

She was getting better at controlling her fear. But this was an addictive kind of fear, the kind of fear that thrilled every part of her, that gave her heart something to feel other than cold nothingness.

She ingested every last piece of confidence that she could before she said, “I am done.”

He turned, his wicked tongue tucked into the side of his cheek. At first his eyes were lazy with satisfaction and his arms were still crossed over his chest. But that all changed the minute he saw her, the second he took her in. His eyes became wild with hunger. His shoulders tensed as he dropped his hands down by his sides. A muscle ticked in his jaw, but there were no signs of his devilish smile.

No, it was gone.

What had replaced it was something more gratifying.

Shock.

“What’s the matter?” She played with an innocent expression. “Are you not a fan of the emerald nightgown?” Her tone was satisfyingly light. She was getting better at this game too. He dipped his chin, and his lips parted to say something, but no words came. He swallowed hard. She was sure she could see the pulse in his neck, or maybe that was just the pulse from hers beating through every single part of who she was. His eyes explored her again, as if the shock had worn off and he could finally take in the details.

Well then, she thought to herself, let the games begin.

It was official. She was trying to fucking kill him.

She was trying to kill him, and she knew it. That naughty little angel knew it.

Torin tried his best to hide a smile that warranted her so much respect, but he wasn’t going to offer up his cards just yet. She was playing him at his own game and it kickstarted a burning desire to stride across the room and just take her there and then.

But he would fight back.

Even if he wanted every fucking perfect inch of her underneath him, even if he wanted his mouth on her—everywhere—he would fight back.

He trailed his eyes down her sleek wet hair that slid down her back and he imagined holding onto it whilst sucking the most delicate parts of her neck.

A strain against his leathers confirmed that he was well and truly solid from one look over her.

One fucking look.

He was in trouble.

Maybe he should have sent in Magin. Then he wouldn’t be close to breaking any promises. However, that meant someone else seeing her like this.

No, absolutely not. Then he would be closer to breaking necks. Just the thought of another male seeing her like this sent a fire through him so fierce that he didn’t know if he could control it. Torin exhaled, taking in the curve of her breasts in that delicious jade nightgown. He’d thought he liked the burgundy gown, but this…this was the kind of garment you left on whilst devouring her.

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