Page 11 of Degradation

“We’ll need to be more careful,” Garron said softly.

“Exactly,” Brandle said. “Guard your feelings about returning to Turre well.”

Returning to their home after such a long exile was certain to be hard on them. Especially to a dangerous place like Turre. Did they think I would be unsympathetic to their concerns, or did they believe they were protecting me by keeping their fears to themselves?

CHAPTERTHREE

Entering the cottage,I saw Edmund reclining in the tub. No steam rose from the water, which I quickly corrected. He sighed in appreciation and watched my approach.

“I’ve been looking forward to this,” he said.

“I imagine so. It must be difficult to wash your own back.”

He didn’t laugh like any of the rest would have. His hungry gaze swept over my face, and I felt his desire for me grow.

I picked up a cloth, dipped it into the water, and used the soap to create a lather.

“I’m willing to wash every inch of you, Edmund. Slowly and thoroughly. But it won’t end as you wish.”

His brows rose. I felt his worry…and guilt.

“The care you took to prepare me helped, but I still need more time. I feel a bit bruised inside, and though I love each touch and kiss from all of you, I am not ready for it to go further than that.”

He considered me.

“I promise not to do anything without permission.”

Yet, I could feel his confidence that he would bed me before sunset. His desire thickened around me, and my heart fluttered at the thought of denying him what he wanted just for the simple sake of my need to challenge him. I enjoyed baiting Edmund very much.

“Then I will take you at your word.”

He leaned back in the tub as I dragged the soapy cloth over his muscled forearm. His relaxed fingers moved with ease as I washed each digit. But his ease was only a ruse. I could feel his growing tension, his need for me to touch more of him.

Fully embracing the dangerous game I played, I dipped the cloth into the tub and soaped it again.

He watched me as I washed his arms, then his shoulders and chest. An angry, desperate edge honed his need for me and wrapped around me, coaxing my desire for him, making it difficult to breathe normally as he extended a leg for me. He gripped the edge of the tub as I dragged the cloth over his inner thigh and hissed out a breath when I accidentally went too far.

His hunger for me became my own. It fed my need to touch him until it matched his need to be touched.

A part of me knew I was feeling more than I should…that there was a reason I hadn’t wanted to go further with him. But another part refused to walk away from his need for me.

Holding his gaze, I set the cloth aside and reached into the water once more.

His pained groan filled the room as my hand closed around him.

Without warning, he stood fluidly, taking me with him. His mouth was on mine as he pressed me to his wet chest. I met his ravenous kiss and scraped my nails over his back as he stalked across the room and lowered me to a waiting mattress.

His mouth didn’t leave mine as he tugged the ties of my pants loose and slipped his hand inside. He stroked my wet folds and circled my nub until I tore my mouth from his to gasp for air.

Then he removed his hand, and I watched him lick his finger.

My heart stuttered in equal parts mortification and fascination.

“I want to taste you, Trouble. Tell me you want the same.”

My skin felt too hot. Too tight. I needed more of Edmund, but I also remembered why I should fear it. He saw my hesitation.

“I gave my word,” he said. “Only what you permit.”

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