Page 52 of Villainous Greed

“I want to clean us up and get some of those knots out of your hair.”

I reached for my hair. Over the years, I tried my best to finger comb my curls to keep knots out, but I supposed I must look bad.

“Leave your hair alone,” August said, beckoning me with his hand. “You’re beautiful, and I want to show you how much. I don’t care that the dragons might attack at any moment, or the world we know might end. What I want to do right now is adore you in all the ways I’ve always wanted to.”

I blushed. “I’m not getting undressed with you.”

He waggled his brows. “I promise to behave. We’ll go at your pace, remember?”

“This doesn’t feel slow.”

“You’re right, but I’m greedy. Shall I put a blindfold on?”

“Or you can leave me to wash alone.”

He rubbed his jaw and sighed. “I’ll stay by the door then, so we can talk?” August waited patiently as his gaze drifted over my body. Something about his dark, enchanting orbs seemed hopeful.

Did August really want to talk so badly? Perhaps he simply wanted to be near me. The thought made my skin prickle.

“Okay.”

August said, “Relax and enjoy the water. After we chat, I’ll go search for our enemy.”

“There’s no point in hunting for Derrick.”

August scowled.

I quickly added, “Derrick is obsessed with me. He’ll try to come for me again.”

“Derrick’s more foolish than I thought if he tries getting close to you. You’d tear him from the inside out before he could do so. Then I wouldn’t get to break his bones.”

I smirked. “He wouldn’t show himself recklessly. Derrick is a coward. He’ll likely wait for an opportunity when I’m distracted.”

August’s eyes flickered over me lazily. “Delivering the proxy to you sounds better. I might get some sort of reward.”

I inhaled sharply.

Satisfied with himself, August materialized two bottles that I guessed were soap and placed them beside the tub. “Condition your hair and I’ll help you with the knots when you’re finished bathing.”

I glanced at the steaming water, then back to August.

“It’s okay to breathe, Nova. Get in the water and rinse your frustrations away. You’re not alone. You’re free, and I’m going to hunt those who wronged you.”

“It’s weird.” I shook my head. “Hours ago, I imagined your death and every way I could make you feel pain. Now we’re talking as if…”

“We’re lovers? Mates?”

“We’re friends,” I corrected.

August’s grin was lopsided. “That, too.” Snapping his fingers, a plate of chicken legs appeared on a wooden board above the tub. “Eat up. This is only the beginning of your princess treatment.”

Princess treatment?

I locked the door after August stepped out of the bathroom. The lock was useless against a man who could port anywhere without a portal chip. I didn’t feel comfortable letting August see my body, though. I’d been starving for a lifetime. My bones protruded from my hips and ribs. Before Harvest locked me in that cell, I had full, round breasts, and a slight curve to my thighs.

As I undressed and stared down, I realized I was as malnourished as I felt. Did I look anything like the girl he remembered? Why did I care if I wouldn’t reveal myself to him? I wouldn’t stop being me just because August wasn’t the bad guy I thought he was. So, why was my body behaving strangely?

He’s a virgin.

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