Page 28 of Ruthless King

Her face twists into an angry sneer, but she sighs. “Fine. I’ll get proof.”

She knows she needs me. I’m her only chance, which gives me some leverage.

Maybe I’m not so powerless after all.

While I wait for proof from Beatrice, I know I need to continue my mission with Nico. I have to get him to trust me, so I need to try again with him.

I enter his office late at night. He’s busy typing away on his laptop. “Aurora.”

“You didn’t come to bed.”

“I’m busy with work.”

“I figured.” My hands play with the ends of my nightgown. It’s another slinky piece, one Beatrice made me bring.

“You look nice.”

“It’s for you,” I blurt out.

He stops his typing and faces me. “Is that so? You’re ready to have sex?”

I hesitate, and I hate that I hesitate because Nico sees it on my face.

“You’re not ready.” He dismisses me and turns back to his computer.

I’m losing my chance with him. “No, I’m ready.”

“Are you?” He leans back in his chair, spreading his legs wide. “I don’t think you are.”

“No, I am.”

“You can keep convincing yourself, Aurora, but I can smell your fear, remember?”

“I need to do this,” I whisper. Because if I don’t, I’m terrified Nico will cast me out. He doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to have sex, but at some point, he’ll want children, and if I can’t give that to him …

His eyes soften slightly. “Listen, I can tell you’re not ready. But I’ll give you a chance. If you really are ready to have sex, then get on your knees and suck my cock.”

I blanche. “What?”

“You heard me. If you’re actually ready, then you’ll have no qualms about sucking me off.”

“But I’ve never …” My palms are sweaty, and my heart beats so fast, it hurts.

“I know you haven’t. I would teach you, of course. So, what do you say?”

Can I do this? For the sake of my father’s death, I’m willing to try. Nico needs to trust me, but he can’t if there’s always a wall between us.

Slowly, I get down on my knees, my entire body shaking. Nico watches me without saying a word. I reach my hands out to touch his belt buckle when I freeze.

Tears hit my eyes and begin streaming down my face. This isn’t a romantic moment at all. Nico and I don’t love each other, and how naïve am I to convince myself that doing this will make him love me?

He sighs and brushes my hair out of my face. “Go back to bed, Aurora.”

“Will you hate me if I’m never ready?”

“I don’t hate you. But go back to bed. You’re not ready.” Without offering me anymore comfort, he turns back to his computer and resumes his work.

I stand up, wiping my tears. One moment, he can be nice and somewhat warm, but then other times, he’s so cold, it burns my skin.

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